“Barrio” drops you straight into a vibrant urban maze where Mediterranean melodies mingle with Latin rhythms. Mahmood, one of Italy’s most daring pop voices, paints the barrio as a place that is equal parts dance floor and emotional battleground. The beat pulses like passing headlights, guitars sparkle like city lights, and every corner hides a memory of an on-again, off-again romance that refuses to die.
Through vivid images of “elephants among crystal” and “gypsies like diamonds,” the singer confesses how love can feel both heavy and delicate, priceless yet fragile. He races through traffic, downs painkillers with water, and dives into video games—all to escape jealousy and heartbreak—yet the pull of the neighborhood’s music keeps bringing him back. “Look for me in the barrio,” his lover says, and although the relationship might crumble like ancient Carthage, the barrio will always play its song, reminding us that passion, pain, and rhythm often share the same address.
Mahmood (born Alessandro Mahmoud on September 12, 1992, in Milan, Italy) is a celebrated Italian singer and songwriter known for blending pop, R&B, and hip hop influences. Rising to fame through the sixth season of the Italian X Factor, Mahmood quickly made his mark by winning the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival twice — first in 2019 with the hit "Soldi" and again in 2022 alongside Blanco with "Brividi".
His success at Sanremo allowed him to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest twice, achieving second place in 2019 and sixth place as the host entry in 2022. Mahmood’s music is distinguished by its emotional depth and multicultural roots, stemming from his Egyptian and Sardinian heritage. With three acclaimed studio albums — Gioventù bruciata, Ghettolimpo, and Nei letti degli altri — he has become one of Italy’s most streamed contemporary artists, captivating audiences both nationally and internationally.