Sayf (rapper)
Sayf | |
|---|---|
Sayf in February 2026 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Adam Sayf Viacava 23 March 1999 Genoa, Italy |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | Genovarabe |
| Formerly of | Luvre Muzik |
Adam Sayf Viacava (born 23 March 1999),[2] known mononymously as Sayf (pronounced [ˈseif]),[4] is an Italian rapper and singer-songwriter.
Early and personal life
Born in Genoa to an Italian father, Gaetano, and a Tunisian mother, Samia Ghariani (who separated when he was 9), Viacava spent his childhood moving between his birth city, Rapallo and Santa Margherita Ligure. He learned to play the trumpet while in middle school and developed a passion for rap around the age of 14.[2][5][6][7]
As of 2025, Sayf lives in Rapallo. He is a self-described "believer in his own way", practicing some cultural aspects of Islam.[7] As of March 2026, he is in a relationship with dancer Bianca Genovese.[8]
Career
At the end of 2017, along with fellow Genoese artist Zero Vicious (former producer of Tedua and Vaz Tè) and others, Viacava formed the collective Luvre Muzik. In 2019, collaborating with members of Shank and Luvre Muzik, he released the self-published 25-track mixtape Sono triste[2] – even though he later "disowned" this work.[9] In 2020, he released Everyday Struggle,[2] a mixtape written during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sesto San Giovanni, where he had moved aged 18 in hopes of achieving a breakthrough. Having failed to do so, he had moved back to Liguria shortly afterwards.[7][9]
In 2024, Viacava established the collective Genovarabe alongside Helmi Sa7bi, Sossy, Marvin and Vincè, with whom he collaborated on several songs.[10] Sayf gained nationwide fame in 2025, upon signing with ADA/Warner and releasing the EP Se Dio vuole and the singles "Pachamama" (with Rhove) and "Chanelina Soubrette" (with Disme and Ele A).[2] He has also worked as a writer for Sugar Music.[6] His first live performance was at Santeria Toscana 31 in Milan in April 2025.[11] His single "Figli dei palazzi" (feat. Néza) peaked at number 53 on the Italian charts.[12]
Sayf co-wrote Genoese rapper Bresh's song "Erica", from his June 2025 album Mediterraneo.[13] The same month, his single "Sto bene al mare" – co-written and performed with Marco Mengoni and Rkomi – came out,[2][7] charting at position 25. He was selected for Radar 2025, Spotify's program for emerging artists.[7]
On 30 November 2025, Sayf was announced among the participants of the Sanremo Music Festival 2026.[14] He competed with the song "Tu mi piaci tanto", which finished second overall in the final of 28 February 2026.[15] During the Sanremo week, he announced the Santissimo tour, scheduled for July and October 2026 in several cities of Italy; the tour is expected to be anticipated by the release of the eponymous debut album.[16][17][18]
Artistry and influences
Sayf's style has been described by publications like Rolling Stone and Billboard as fresher, freer and lighter compared to the dominant rap schemes both in his country and abroad. In addition to his double Tunisian–Genoese heritage, he has been influenced by samba, cumbia, trap and Italian melodic style;[1][9][11] this has been observed in several songs featuring themes of introspection, nostalgia or love, as well as in tributes to artists including Gino Paoli, Adriano Celentano, Franco Califano and Vinicio Capossela.[1][6] Viacava also claims influences from the music his father made him listen to as a child, which ranged from Fabrizio De André and PFM to Arab and Indian music.[9]
As of 2026, Sayf's producers are Jiz and Dibla.[9][19]
Discography
Albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Santissimo |
|
EPs
| Title | Mixtape details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| ITA [20] | ||
| Se Dio vuole |
|
26 |
Mixtapes
| Title | Mixtape details |
|---|---|
| Sono triste (unofficial) |
|
| Everyday Struggle |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album, EP or mixtape | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITA [20] |
SWI [21] | |||
| "Deep Side" | 2017 | — | — | Non-album singles |
| "Pigz" | — | — | ||
| "Sabbie di velluto" | 2018 | — | — | Sono triste |
| "Mumble" (feat. Gorka) |
2019 | — | — | |
| "160streetZ (Ubriaco a marzo)" | — | — | ||
| "Yves Saint Laurent" (feat. Gorka) |
— | — | Non-album singles | |
| "Oh raga, bombe?" (feat. Guesan) |
— | — | ||
| "1998 (Nessuno nasce odiando)" | — | — | Everyday Struggle | |
| "La santa" (feat. Nebbia) |
2020 | — | — | Non-album single |
| "Il ballo dello straniero" | — | — | Everyday Struggle | |
| "Prospettiva" (feat. Neoz 412) |
— | — | Non-album singles | |
| "Telegiornale" | 2021 | — | — | |
| "¿Tito, che succ?" (feat. Zero Vicious) |
2022 | — | — | |
| "Satta Massagana" | — | — | ||
| "Una cotta per te" | — | — | ||
| "Come mai?" | 2023 | — | — | |
| "Peroperò" | — | — | ||
| "Nina" | — | — | ||
| "Mbappé" | — | — | ||
| "Gas" | — | — | ||
| "Stelle" | 2024 | — | — | |
| "Mio fratello" (feat. Helmi Sa7bi) |
— | — | ||
| "Tr*p" (feat. Sgribaz) |
— | — | ||
| "Genovarabe Freestyle" (feat. Helmi Sa7bi) |
— | — | ||
| "Smokin' Hot" | — | — | ||
| "Tiroteo" | — | — | ||
| "Mia" | — | — | ||
| "Chanelina Soubrette" (feat. Disme & Ele A) |
— | — | Se Dio vuole | |
| "Fortuna" (feat. 22simba) |
— | — | ||
| "Facciamo metà" | — | — | ||
| "Soltanto se" (with Promessa) |
— | — | Danza del grano | |
| "Marinè" (feat. Kuremino & Sethu) |
2025 | — | — | Se Dio vuole |
| "Se Dio vuole (Intro)" | — | — | ||
| "Pachamama" (feat. Rhove) |
— | — | ||
| "Egoista" | — | — | ||
| "L'alba" | — | — | ||
| "Figli dei palazzi" (feat. Néza) |
53 | — | Non-album singles | |
| "Una Can" | — | — | ||
| "Money" (feat. Artie 5ive & Guè) |
21 | — | ||
| "Tu mi piaci tanto" | 2026 | 2 | 37 | Santissimo |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||
As a featured artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album, EP or mixtape | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITA [20][21] | ||||
| "Bomboclaat" (Guesan feat. Sayf & Zero Vicious) |
2018 | — | Non-album single | |
| "Berlino" (Guesan feat. Sayf & Reliz) |
2019 | — | Charlow Dalton (The Appetizer) | |
| "Picasso & Kandinskij" (Tommi feat. Gorka & Sayf) |
— | Brutalité | ||
| "Fantasmi (Intro)" (Tommi feat. Sayf) |
— | |||
| "Fuori di testa" (Tommi feat. Sayf) |
— | |||
| "Vuoi stare calmo" (Zazza feat. Gorka & Sayf) |
— | Spartaco | ||
| "Proletari" (Zazza feat. Sayf) |
— | |||
| "L.D.C." (Zazza feat. Akwma & Sayf) |
— | |||
| "Le monde est à nous" (Guesan feat. Sayf & Zero Vicious) |
2020 | — | Non-album singles | |
| "149 Chill" (Zero Vicious feat. Sayf, Jleeno & Patrick) |
— | |||
| "Quarantena bis" (St Luca Spenish feat. Zero Vicious, Sayf & Guesan) |
— | Quarantena bis | ||
| "Jambo (43ena)" (MH & Hotsteppa feat. Sayf) |
— | 40ena | ||
| "Full Immersion" (Plata feat. Sayf) |
— | Non-album singles | ||
| "Jamais vu" (Buio feat. Sayf) |
2021 | — | ||
| "Bando" (Zero Vicious feat. Sayf & Jleeno) |
— | Luvre Musik Tape, Vol. 1 | ||
| "Con te / con me" (Kiddo feat. Sayf & Zazza) |
— | Non-album single | ||
| "Ge hh" (Rupert feat. Sayf) |
— | Anima | ||
| "Cose preziose" (Guesan feat. Sayf) |
2023 | — | Novantaquattro Mixtape | |
| "Gioia / Faraway" (Chryverde feat. Sayf) |
— | Des Îles | ||
| "Ammore (Portofino)" (Guesan feat. Sayf) |
2024 | — | Vietato morire | |
| "Genovarabe" (Helmi Sa7bi feat. Sayf, Sossy & Vincè) |
— | Non-album single | ||
| "Il Doc 5" (VillaBanks, Guè & FT Kings feat. Sayf & Glocky) |
2025 | 70 | Quanto manca 2 | |
| "Players Club '25" (Night Skinny feat. Glocky, Rrari Dal Tacco, Promessa, Latrelle, Ele A, Sayf, Melons & Faneto) |
75 | Non-album single | ||
| "2trap" (Helmi Sa7bi feat. Sayf) |
— | Les Misérables | ||
| "Maktoub" (Helmi Sa7bi feat. Sayf) |
— | |||
| "Fuorilegge" (Disme feat. Sayf) |
— | Non-album single | ||
| "Erica" (Bresh feat. Sayf) |
77 | Mediterraneo | ||
| "Sto bene al mare" (Marco Mengoni feat. Sayf & Rkomi) |
21 | Non-album single | ||
| "Vita divertida" (Medy feat. Sayf) |
— | Una vita non basta | ||
| "Testa o croce" (Sick Luke feat. Sayf) |
44 | Dopamina | ||
| "Lamerica" (Sick Budd feat. Sayf & Johnny Marsiglia) |
— | Bistro! | ||
| "Buon esempio" (Ele A feat. Sayf & Promessa) |
— | Pixel | ||
| "Come ti pare" (Sethu feat. Sayf) |
— | In fiore | ||
| "Last Train 2 Shibuya" (Guè feat. Cookin Soul & Sayf) |
2026 | 18 | Fastlife 5: Audio Luxury | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||
References
- ^ a b c Gazzale, Giulia (28 March 2025). "MUSICA/Sayf, il nuovo talento dei caruggi". Sharing School (in Italian). Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Stabile, Caterina (20 June 2025). "Chi è Sayf, musicista e rapper che ha collaborato al brano 'Sto bene al mare' di Marco Mengoni". Donna Glamour (in Italian). Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "Sayf". Angeli Pierre (in Italian). Retrieved 7 December 2025.
- ^ CORRETTA PRONUNCIA DI SAYF. RossRewind (in Italian). 21 March 2025. Retrieved 22 June 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "«Sal Da Vinci non è il vero vincitore. Parlano gli ascolti e le canzoni che tutti cantano». La mamma di Sayf". Il Mattino (in Italian). 10 March 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ a b c Cabona, Claudio (7 February 2025). "Sayf è un emergente che ha qualche cosa da dire". Rockol (in Italian). Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Ruviglioni, Patrizio (23 June 2025). "Sayf: «Io sto bene al mare, altro che quella metropoli di Milano»". Esquire Italia (in Italian). Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ^ Suriani, Samantha (2 March 2026). "Chi è Bianca Genovese, la ballerina che ha rubato il cuore di Sayf". Cosmopolitan Italia (in Italian). Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e Valicenti, Greta (3 April 2025). "Sayf sta diventando grande". Billboard Italia (in Italian). Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ Cabona, Claudio (8 June 2024). "Genovarabe, il nuovo gruppo rap ligure con le radici nel mondo". outpump.com (in Italian). Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ a b Seroussi, Gabriel (8 February 2025). "Vi presentiamo Sayf, un nuovo prototipo di rapper". Rolling Stone Italia (in Italian). Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "Sayf feat. Néza - Figli dei palazzi". hitparade.ch (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ Piri, Veronica (6 June 2025). "Bresh salpa con "Mediterraneo": il mare interiore tra sogno e realtà". Cromosomi (in Italian). Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "Sanremo 2026. Da Tommaso Paradiso a Patty Pravo, Carlo Conti annuncia i nomi dei 30 Big in gara". RaiNews (in Italian). RAI. 30 November 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
- ^ "Sal Da Vinci ha vinto Sanremo 2026". Rolling Stone Italia (in Italian). 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Sayf annuncia le date del 'Santissima Tour'". Billboard Italia (in Italian). 25 February 2026. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ^ "Sayf, tre nuove date del suo Santissimo tour" (in Italian). ANSA. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ^ Quaresmini, Matteo (2 March 2026). "Sayf secondo a Sanremo 2026: nuove date per il Santissimo Tour e album in lavorazione". Rapologia (in Italian). Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ^ Alicandri, Alessandro (27 January 2026). "Sanremo 2026, chi ha scritto le canzoni? L'elenco degli autori e produttori". TV Sorrisi e Canzoni (in Italian). Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ a b c "Sayf". FIMI (in Italian). Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Discograpie Sayf". Swiss Hitparade (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 13 March 2026.