Balaclava is a fascinating word because it's a direct loanword from English, referring to a type of headwear that covers the whole head except for parts of the face.
In the context of Mahmood's song, it paints a vivid and somewhat gritty picture of
Mahmood opens with a simple childhood memory, plucking a daisy to play "he loves me, he loves me not," then contrasts it hard against growing up fast on the street. He paints a rough, almost cinematic picture of his neighborhood: kids in balaclavas, blades catching the light, three years running with a gang on a terrace. The refrain "ra-ta-ta" mimics the rattle of gunfire, tying the song's title directly to that world.
Underneath the toughness is a promise. He tells his partner that no amount of money, not even a Bentley, could ever be worth betraying them. Family can feel far away when you're caught up in that life, but loyalty is the one thing he refuses to trade away.
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.