Nek

Nek

Nek at a concert in Assago, Italy in 2005
Background information
Birth name Filippo Neviani
Born 6 January 1972
Origin Sassuolo, Modena, Italy
Genres Pop, rock, pop rock, Latin pop
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, musician
Instruments Vocals, guitar, bass, drums
Years active 1991–present
Labels Fonit Cetra, Don't Worry, Warner Music Group
Website www.nekweb.com

Filippo Neviani (born 6 January 1972), known by his stage name Nek, is an Italian musician and singer-songwriter. Nek is popular in Italy and throughout the Spanish-speaking world, and has performed and released most of his albums in both Italian and Spanish.

Nek first gained international success in 1997, when he took part in the Sanremo Music Festival in the Big Artists section, and although he didn't win, the song "Laura non c'è" (in Spanish: "Laura no está") went on to become his international breakthrough as it became a major hit in Europe and Latin America that year, as well the release of his fourth and million-selling album Lei, gli amici e tutto il resto, which was his first album to also be recorded in a Spanish language. Some of his hits include "Sei solo tu", "Almeno stavolta", "Lascia che io sia" and "Instabile".

Nek has performed three times at the renowned Sanremo song contest; first in the Newcomers section in 1993 with the song "In te" with which reached third place,[1] in 1997 with "Laura non c'è" reached seventh place,[1] and after eighteen years at the 2015 edition with the song "Fatti avanti amore" reached the second place.[2]

Biography

1972–91: Early life and first music activity

Filippo Neviani was born on 6 January 1972, in Sassuolo, Modena, Italy. He began playing drums and guitar at nine years of age.[3]

In the late 1980s he began searching for a well-defined expressive identity and started playing in small clubs with his country music-oriented band "Winchester", and subsequently enjoyed budding notoriety in the Bologna province with soft-rock band "White Lady".[3] In the 1991 began his solo career when came second at the Castrocaro Music Festival, which at the time represented a major promotional opportunity for emerging artists.[3][4]

1992–99: The beginning of the great success

His stage name Nek dates back to 1992 when his first album was released with the name Nek, released by the at the time famous record label Fonit Cetra. In 1993 he came third in the Newcomers section of the Sanremo Music Festival, with the song "In te", that dealt with the controversial issue of abortion.[5] It was also the title of Nek's second album, which included a version of his song "Figli di chi", also entered in the Sanremo Festival 1993 and performed by Mietta.[3]

In the summer of 1995 he released Calore umano, his third album, and came second at the Festival Italiano, hosted by Mike Bongiorno, with the song "Angeli nel ghetto". Also in 1994 he received his first major acknowledgement, together with Giorgia the European Award as best young Italian pop artist.[3]

After having signed a recording contract with WEA, which has remained his label to date (now Warner Music Group), in 1997 he took part in the Sanremo Music Festival in the Big Artists section, with the song "Laura non c'è" which although it failed to win the Festival, it became that year's edition's greatest hit.[5] The huge success of "Laura non c'è" boosted sales of the album Lei, gli amici e tutto il resto, which went 6 times platinum, selling over 600,000 copies in Italy alone.[5] That same year Nek also took part in the Festivalbar with the song "Sei grande", and debuted on the European market; The rush-released Spanish version of the album was released in May, while complete in September;[5] according WEA Italy Nek sold 300,000 albums in Spain and 100,000 in France, with additional 250,000 copies of "Laura non c'è" in France.[5][6] In August of 1998, Nek officially received the IFPI award for the album having sold more than a million copies in Europe.[5][7]

The single and album have also successfully charted in Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, Finland and Germany.[5] Nek's confirmation as a major international artist arrived when the album was published throughout Latin America, including Brazil, Argentina, where the single "Laura no está" became a hit song and both it and the album were certified Gold, Peru, Colombia, and the album 100,000 copies sold in Mexico in its Spanish version.[5][8]

In Spain he was nominated for the Premio Amigo in the "Best New Artist/Revelation" category,[9] while the album at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in 1999 for the "Rock Album of the Year" award.[10] Nek commented how his previous inexperience and the search for musical identity, and when switched labels, the change of musical style from traditional Italian pop to more Anglo pop rock sound, resulted in his sudden success.[5]

Nek's fifth album In due was released in June 1998,[5] simultaneously in Europe, Latin America and Japan. The single "Se io non avessi te" immediately topped the sales charts and ranked high in all the major radio play charts for over four months,[3] for which received the Festivalbar "Radio" award.[11] The album went three times Platinum in Italy, Platinum in Spain, and Gold throughout Europe.[3] In the first half of 1999 he toured Italy, Europe and Latin America, enjoying great success wherever he performed.[3]

2000–07: L'anno zero, Una parte di me, Nella stanza 26

His sixth album La vita è was released worldwide on 2 June 2000, and peaked at number eight on the charts in Italy,[12] and seventh in Switzerland,[12] selling over 360,000 copies in both languages.[13] Two years later, on 24 May 2002, his seventh album Le cose da difendere was released, once again worldwide, and it peaked at number four on the charts in Italy, and stayed in the Top 5 for 4 weeks,[14][15][16] being certified Platinum in Italy, and Gold in Switzerland.[3]

On 10 October 2003, his first greatest hits compilation was released, The Best of Nek: L'anno zero, in both the Italian and Spanish versions. It crowned the successful 10 years by offering hits taken from the seven previous albums, plus two unreleased tracks, "Almeno stavolta" and "L'anno zero".[17] The album sold over 300,000 copies in Italy alone,[18] and peaked at the third place on the charts, where it stayed for 40 weeks, of which 13 in the Top 10.[3] The song "Almeno stavolta" was a highly popular song, it peaked at number five on the charts and remained in the Top 10 for 12 weeks.[19] In 2004 was held European and Latin American tour.[17]

Nek in concert, 2005.

On 13 May 2005, was released his eighth studio album, Una parte di me. The album peaked at number three in Italy and Switzerland,[20] stayed on the Italian charts for more than 50 weeks, and sold over 200,000 copies.[3] On July 2, Nek performed at the Live 8 benefit concert,[21] and in November started the arena tour to promote the new album debuted at the Milan Forum with a sold out show, and went on to match the same achievement in every major Italian city.[3]

The album also included the hit single "Lascia che io sia...", with which Nek won that year's edition of Festivalbar.[22][23] The single peaked at number two on the charts,[20] ranked in the Top 8 for 15 weeks,[24] and being certified Platinum was one of Italy's Top Ten selling singles of the year.[25] In the summer 2007 Nek re-recorded the song "Para ti sería..." (Spanish version of 2005's hit) with the Spanish band "El Sueño de Morfeo". The song was included in the re-edition of En el cuarto 26 and the single reached number one in the Spanish download charts (more than 250,000 downloads), holding the top position for over 13 weeks.[3][26][27][28] The two following singles, "Contromano" and "L'inquietudine", also climbed the Italian radio charts.[3]

In 23 November 2006, Nek released his ninth album Nella stanza 26 (in Spanish: En el cuarto 26) peaked at number five in Italy and Switzerland, and again sold over 200,000 copies. It included the hit single "Instabile", which peaked at number three,[29] and ranked in the Top 5 for 6 weeks.[30] In 2007, for the song "Nella stanza 26" Nek received the prestigious Lunezia "Poesia del Rock" award,[31] and performed at the Wind Music Awards, in Via della Conciliazione, Rome.[32]

2008–12: Un'altra direzione and 20 years of career

In 2008 Nek recorded a duet of "Walking Away" with Craig David, which was included in the Greatest Hits of the British artist.[33]

Nek performing in Valladolid, 2009.

On 30 January 2009 Nek released Un'altra direzione, his tenth album which contains 12 new originals plus "Walking Away", and preceded by the single "La voglia che non vorrei", is his first album to top the album charts.[34] It was certified Platinum, with over 70,000 copies sold.[34] The Spanish-language version of the single called "El deseo que ya no puede ser" was released two months later followed by the album Nuevas direcciones. Nek also participated as part of the supergroup Artisti Uniti on the charty single Domani 21/04.09 in support for the victims of the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake.[35]

Greatest Hits 1992–2010: E da qui was released on 16 November 2010 and has a collection of songs by Nek in his 20-year career and three previously unpublished songs: "E da qui", "Vulnerabile" and "È con te", plus 3 live songs recorded in the Summer Tour of 2010.[3] It charted for over 64 weeks,[36] and was certified Platinum by FIMI.[37] On March 28, Nek performed two songs "Se non ami" e "Per non morire mai" at the 25th anniversary of the World Youth Day at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.[38]

In October 2011, Nek sang duet with L'Aura in a re-release of her song named "Eclissi del cuore", the Italian version of the 80's power ballad "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler. It was released as a single in October 2011, reaching number five on the Italian Singles Chart, was certified Platinum, denoting downloads exceeding 30,000 units.[39] In July, Nek performed at the humanitarian concert at piazza of Basilica of San Francesco, in Assisi.[40] On July 25, 2012, performed at the big humanitarian concert at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna.[41]

2013–present: Filippo Neviani and Prima di parlare

On April 16, 2013, his eleventh studio album was released under the title Filippo Neviani and went on to peak at number two in the music charts.[42] All the tracks on the album were played by Nek.[43] The album followed on from the hit single "Congiunzione Astrale", on March 22, 2013. The following single "La metà di niente" was also re-recorded in Spanish as "La Mitad de Nada" in a duet with Sergio Dalma.[44] In 2014, Nek received the Lunezia "Pop Rock" award for this album.[45]

On May 11, Nek performed at the RadioItalia Live concert in Piazza Duomo, Milan.[46] In June performed at the charity concert "Nel nome del cuore" at Assisi,[47] in July performed at Foro Italico in Rome,[48] and at Reventon Music Festival, at the sold-out Staples Center in Los Angeles.[49][50] On September 23, he performed at the La Mercè Festival in Barcelona.[51] On October 3, Nek's European Tour was cancelled because of health issues with vocal cords, for which in order to avoid surgery was not allowed to sing for two months.[52]

In 2014, Nek received the "Tributo ad Augusto", award given every year to the artist who is distinguished by his artistic and social activity.[53] On March 28, as honorary president, Nek presented the 17th Magna Grecia Awards, exhibition dedicated to the beauty, culture and art inspired by Magna Grecia which takes place every year in Apulia.[54] On September 1, performed live at the humanitary football match "Partita Interreligiosa per la Pace", at Stadio Olimpico, Rome.[55]

In February of 2015, Nek participated at the 65th Sanremo Music Festival, where with the song "Fatti avanti amore" finished at the second place. Although he didn't win the main competition, he won with the song "Se telefonando" by Mina for the "Best Cover",[56][57][58] and with his song "Fatti avanti amore" another three awards, for the "Best Arrangement" awarded by the festival orchestra,[59] the newsroom Radio and TV "Lucio Dalla",[59] as well radio award "Sempre più Sanremo" for the most popular festival song on radio.[60][61]

On March 4 will be released his new twelfth studio album Prima di parlare,[62] and afterwards will be held a national, European and American world tour.[63]

Personal life

On 2 September 2006 Nek married Patrizia Vacondio. They have a daughter, Beatrice Neviani, born 12 September 2010. He's a practicing Catholic.[64]

Discography

Main article: Nek discography

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 ""A Sanremo dopo 18 anni perché sento di potermi divertire", Nek porta all'Ariston 'Fatti avanti amore'". Adnkronos (in Italian). February 8, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  2. ↑ Vitali, Alessandra (February 15, 2015). "Sanremo, Il Volo festeggia la vittoria: "Basta critiche, imparate a conoscerci"". Adnkronos (in Italian). Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 "Sanremo Campioni: Biografia Nek" (in Italian). Rai. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Nek agli esordi in TV: debutto nel 1991 con Fiorello in giuria". VelvetMusic (in Italian) (Metup.it). May 26, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 Lannert, John; Dezzani, Mark (June 6, 1998). "Italy's Nek A Latino Success Story". Billboard 110 (23): 11, 91. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  6. ↑ Tesseyre, Cecile (February 28, 1998). "Nek launches his career in France with "Laura non c'è"". Billboard 110 (9): 55. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Music And Politics Mix At Platinum Europe Awards". Billboard 110 (32): 44. August 8, 1998. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  8. ↑ Lannert, John (May 16, 1998). "Elvis Crespo Has His Own Shakin' Goin' On; Chart Notes, Radio". Billboard 110 (20): 45. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  9. ↑ Llewellyn, Howell (November 22, 1997). "Spain, Premios Amigo". Billboard 109 (47): 74. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  10. ↑ Llewellyn, Howell (April 22, 1999). "Latin Music Award Winners & Finalists". Billboard 111 (17): 32. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  11. ↑ Luzzatto, Fegiz Mario (September 6, 1998). "Vasco trionfa al Festivalbar e attacca la tv". Corriere della Sera (in Italian): 34. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Hits Of The World". Billboard 112 (31): 50–51. July 29, 2000. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  13. ↑ Cobo, Leila (November 11, 2000). "Hits Of The World". Billboard 112 (46): 47. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Hits Of The World". Billboard 114 (24): 62. June 15, 2002. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Hits Of The World". Billboard 114 (25): 52. June 22, 2002. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Hits Of The World". Billboard 114 (26): 52. June 29, 2002. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Sexton, Paul (October 18, 2003). "Europe's Local Stars Seek Regional Success". Billboard 115 (42): 45. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  18. ↑ Laffranchi, Andrea (April 21, 2004). "Nek: Depeche Mode e America? Basiliari". Corriere della Sera (in Italian): 38. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Almeno Stavolta on Italian charts". ItaliaCharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Worden, Mark (September 5, 2005). "Nek Stretches". Billboard 117 (36): 77. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Africa, oggi il Live8 in dieci città del mondo". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). July 2, 2005. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Festivalbar: Nek su Jovanotti all'ultimo show". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). September 14, 2005. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  23. ↑ Worden, Mark (September 16, 2005). "Warner Artists Dominate Italy's Festivalbar". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Lascia che io sia on Italian charts". ItaliaCharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  25. ↑ "I singoli più venduti del 2005". Hit Parade Italia (in Italian). Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Para Ti Seria on Spain Digital Songs chart on 15-12-2007". Billboard Biz. Billboard. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Para Ti Seria on Spain Digital Songs Chart on 01-03-2008". Billboard Biz. Billboard. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Hits Of The World". Billboard 120 (10): 66. March 8, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Hits Of The World". Billboard 118 (50): 58. December 16, 2006. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Instabile on Italian charts". ItaliaCharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Comunicato Stampa: Nek vince Premio Lunezia – Poesia del Rock 2007" (in Italian). Rockol. January 17, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  32. ↑ Worden, Mark (July 21, 2007). "The Big Chill". Billboard 119 (29): 20–21. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  33. ↑ Smirke, Richard (January 17, 2009). "Get Together". Billboard 121 (2): 15. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Worden, Mark (March 14, 2009). "New Direction". Billboard 121 (10): 35. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Domani 21 Aprile 2009 - Artisti uniti per l'Abruzzo". Valdelsa.net (in Italian). Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Greatest Hits 1992–2010: E da qui on Italian charts". ItaliaCharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  37. ↑ "Certificazioni Artisti - Dalla settimana 1 del 2009 alla settimana 39 del 2011" (PDF) (in Italian). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  38. ↑ ""Dio ha un progetto per me, la mia vita è importante e necessaria. È un dono che è bene vivere. L'essenziale è l'amore"". Giovani Favara (in Italian). March 28, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  39. ↑ "Certificazione Singoli Digitali dalla settimana 1 del 2009 alla settimana 2 del 2014" (PDF) (in Italian). FIMI. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Con Carlo Conti musica benefica". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). June 15, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  41. ↑ "Ligabue e soci per solidarietà". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). July 25, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  42. ↑ "Il nuovo disco di Nek al top: la più alta new entry". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). April 30, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  43. ↑ Ascione, Arianna (April 12, 2013). "Filippo Neviani, Nek: "Il disco si chiama come me perchè è il mio disco più personale"". Soundblog.it (in Italian). Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  44. ↑ ""La Mitad de Nada": Nek duetta con Sergio Dalma". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). April 13, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  45. ↑ "Elisa, Nek, Pezzali... Tutti I Vincitori Del Premio Lunezia 2014". Radio Italia (in Italian). July 9, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  46. ↑ "11 big live l’11 maggio in Piazza Duomo a Milano". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). April 19, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  47. ↑ "Assisi, le star della musica italiana insieme nel nome della solidarietà" (in Italian). La Repubblica. June 8, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  48. ↑ "Nek a Roma, oltre due ore di concerto in attesa del tour autunnale. Guarda le foto". Radio Italia (in Italian). July 16, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  49. ↑ "Nek Al "Reventon Super Estrella Music" Di Los Angeles". Radio Italia (in Italian). June 5, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Reventon Super Estrella 2013". Global Trend Productions. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  51. ↑ "Nek Al "Merce 2013", La Festa Della Città Di Barcellona". Radio Italia (in Italian). June 5, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  52. ↑ Suriani, Samantha (October 3, 2013). "Nek: annullati i concerti del tour 2013 a causa di un edema alle corde vocali". VelvetMusic (in Italian) (Metup.it). Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  53. ↑ "Nek Vince Il Tributo Ad Augusto Dei Nomadi". Radio Italia (in Italian). February 3, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  54. ↑ "Nek, Presidente Onorario, Presenta I "Magna Grecia Awards 2014"". Radio Italia (in Italian). March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  55. ↑ "Nek Canterà All'Olimpico Di Roma Per La Partita Per La Pace". Radio Italia (in Italian). March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  56. ↑ Suriani, Samantha (February 13, 2014). "Sanremo 2015, Nek re della serata cover con “Se telefonando”". VelvetMusic (in Italian) (Metup.it). Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Sanremo: Nek Vince La Serata Delle Cover". Radio Italia (in Italian). February 13, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  58. ↑ ""Se Telefonando"". la Repubblica (in Italian). February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 "Sanremo: A Nek Il Premio Per L'Arrangiamento, A Malika Il Premio Della Critica". Radio Italia (in Italian). February 15, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  60. ↑ "Il vincitore della Classifica Sempre più Sanremo è: Nek" (in Italian). RTL 102,500 Hit Radio. February 15, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  61. ↑ "E' Di Nek La Canzone Italiana Più Trasmessa In Radio". Radio Italia (in Italian). February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  62. ↑ "Nek: L'Album "Prima Di Parlare" È Anticipato Al 3 Marzo". Radio Italia (in Italian). February 16, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  63. ↑ "Nek, Sanremo E Il Tour Mondiale: "Se È Un Sogno Lasciatemi Dormire"". Radio Italia (in Italian). February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  64. ↑ Dondoni, Luca (11 April 2013). "Nek: musica, una droga da cui è difficile liberarsi" [Nek: music, a drug difficult to get rid of]. Lastampa.it (in Italian). La Stampa. Retrieved 4 March 2015.

External links