Articolo 31

Articolo 31
J Ax, rapper of the band
Background information
Origin	Milan, Italy
Genres	Hip hop, alternative hip hop, funk, pop-rap
Years active	1990–2006
Labels	Ricordi (1990-1998), BMG (1998-2003)
Members	J-Ax, DJ Jad

Articolo 31 was a popular band from Milan, Italy, melding hip hop, funk, pop and traditional Italian musical forms. They are one of the most popular Italian hip hop groups.

Band history

Members are rapper J-Ax (real name Alessandro Aleotti) and DJ Jad (Vito Luca Perrini). In the spoken intro of Strade di Città, it is stated that the band is named after the article of the Irish constitution guaranteeing freedom of the press, although it must be noted that article 31 of the Irish constitution is not about the freedom of the press. They probably meant the Section 31 of the Broadcasting Authority Act.

Articolo 31 was one of the first hip hop groups in Italy, releasing one of the first Italian hip hop records, Strade di città, in 1993. Soon, they signed with BMG Ricordi and started to mix their rap with pop music, obtaining great success and popularity. However, the underground hip hop scene positioned them as traitors. Their producer was Franco Godi, who also produced the music for the Signor Rossi animated series.

In 1997, DJ Gruff dissed Articolo 31 in a track titled 1 vs 2 appearing on the first album of the beatmaker Fritz da Cat, but Articolo 31's lawyers obtained a retraction of the record, and its reissue without the song.

In 2001, Articolo 31 collaborated with the American old school rapper Kurtis Blow on the album XChé SI!. In the same year, they made the movie Senza filtro (in English, "Without filter").

With Domani smetto, Articolo 31 left the world of hip hop and moved to rap with many influences; even more so than previously, this album found them rapping and singing to rock and pop tracks.

In recent years, J Ax and DJ Jad have each released solo records, and in 2006, the group declared an indefinite hiatus.

Their posse, Spaghetti Funk, includes other popular performers like Space One and pop rappers Gemelli DiVersi.

Band members

• J-Ax - vocals
• DJ Jad - turntables

Discography