Ernia Italian Rapper With 1M Instagram Followers

Early life

Ernia, whose birth name is Matteo Professione, was born on 29 November 1993 in Milan. He grew up in the city's QT8 district, a neighbourhood he refers to repeatedly in his lyrics. As a boy he became interested in hip hop through his childhood friend Tedua, and later he joined local collectives from the nearby Bonola area, among them Bonola Family and Razza a Parte.

He studied in the university's modern languages department. When his first group came to an end in 2014 he left his studies, worked briefly as a waiter and spent five months in London, then lived for a time in France before settling again in Italy. When he resumed his music career in 2016, he went back to university as well.

Career

In 2011 Ernia became a founding member of the crew Troupe D'Elite, working under the stage name ErNyah alongside Ghali, the singer Maite and the producer Fawzi. The group was signed to the label Tanta Roba by Guè Pequeno. Its self-titled EP appeared in 2012, and in 2013 the members auditioned for the talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi without success. In the same period Ernia put out a solo mixtape, N.G.R.B., produced by Charlie Charles, with contributions from Ghali, Maite and Sfera Ebbasta. After a dispute with the label's co-founder in 2014, the group left Tanta Roba and released the album Il mio giorno preferito as a free download, and it split up a few months afterwards.

Ernia returned to solo work in 2016 with a run of singles on the Thaurus label, including "Fenomeno", and the four-track EP No Hooks, which has no choruses. His first studio album, Come uccidere un usignolo, followed on 2 June 2017. The album was certified platinum in Italy, as was the track "Bella", and "Madonna" with Rkomi received a gold certification. A reissue titled Come uccidere un usignolo/67 appeared on 3 November 2017, adding a second disc of new material.

His second studio album, 68, was released on 7 September 2018 through Island Records. It is named after the bus line that runs through the Bonola area on the edge of QT8. A reissue, 68 (Till the End), was announced in March 2019 at the last date of the 68 Tour in Milan and came out in April, with the single "Certi giorni" produced with Nitro. In early 2019 he also released "La pelle del puma", written for the partnership between AC Milan and Puma.

Gemelli, his third studio album, was released on 19 June 2020 together with the single "Superclassico". The album reached the top of the Italian FIMI album chart and was certified five-times platinum, while "Superclassico" topped the singles chart. A reissue, Gemelli (ascendente Milano), came out on 20 May 2021 and included "Di notte" with Sfera Ebbasta and Carl Brave.

On 26 October 2022 Ernia announced his fourth studio album, Io non ho paura, released on 18 November 2022 along with the lead single "Bella fregatura". It debuted at number one on the FIMI chart and later reached triple platinum. A documentary about the making of the album was published through Esse magazine on 10 November, with appearances by Rkomi, Gaia, Marco Mengoni and Salmo. In May 2023 he released "Parafulmini" with Bresh and Fabri Fibra, and in March 2024 he appeared on Kid Yugi's album I nomi del diavolo with the track "Nemico". Other releases in this period include "Lewandowski X" in 2023 and "Istinto animale" and "My Love!" in 2024.

His fifth studio album, Per soldi e per amore, appeared on 19 September 2025, with "Per te" and "Berlino" among its singles. It has twelve tracks and guests including Club Dogo, Kid Yugi, Madame and Marracash. It entered at the top of the FIMI chart and was certified platinum. Singles in 2026 include "Lewandowski XI", "Dedica" and "Allontanarsi". His recordings are classified as hip hop and pop rap, and he is also credited as a singer.

Recognition

Several of Ernia's releases have been certified by the Italian music industry federation FIMI. These include a platinum certification for his debut album, five-times platinum for Gemelli, triple platinum for Io non ho paura and platinum for Per soldi e per amore. The first single from Gemelli, "Superclassico", earned seven platinum certifications. Gemelli, Io non ho paura and Per soldi e per amore each opened at number one on the Italian album chart.