Gioventù Bruciata invites us to hop into Mahmood’s childhood car, where Arabic songs crackle through the speakers, a Game Boy clicks in the back seat, and the endless desert rushes by. Through vivid snapshots – from the Sphinx at eight years old to an Invicta backpack pounding the sand – Mahmood revisits moments spent with a restless father figure who tries to outrun emptiness with money, cigarettes, and tall tales. The singer remembers laughter that felt like pretending and good-byes that were never stylish enough to trend, hinting at a family history soaked in unspoken “violence” and broken marriages.
At its heart the track is a bittersweet confession about a “burnt-out youth” that inherited chaos rather than guidance. Mahmood contrasts childhood innocence (Pokémon, fairy tales) with adult disillusion (phone calls on repeat, smiles masking “merda”). The result is a poignant anthem that asks why chasing success often leaves us breathless and why saying “I’ll stay” is so hard when the past keeps pulling us away. Listening to it feels like diving into the Red Sea itself – a plunge into memory, regret, and the stubborn hope that tomorrow can still reclaim lost happiness.
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.