The Franchise Report welcomed a fresh new voice to the show—Nel Fuoco, a singer-rapper blending multiple languages and genres in her music. Making her debut appearance, Fuoco brought charisma, energy, and sharp lyricism while detailing her journey from classical music to the rap scene.
A Classical Background Turned Hip-Hop Fusion
Fuoco shared that her musical roots lie in classical training—she studied opera from age 14 to 24 and holds a degree in Italian and classical music. With a background in choir and multilingual performance, she became fluent in singing in Italian, French, German, Spanish, and Latin. However, her passion for hip-hop and R&B pushed her toward songwriting in multiple languages, with Italian taking center stage.
“I was listening to European trap and rap to practice my Italian,” she explained. “Then I thought, what if I could bridge the gap and bring these cultures together?”
Though she initially pursued multilingual music, Fuoco revealed that her breakout moment came from an English-language political track that unexpectedly went viral. The global response reinforced her ability to connect with diverse audiences, leading to collaborations with international artists, including a Swahili-speaking rapper.
Balancing Singing & Rapping
While currently focused on rap, Fuoco made it clear that singing remains her first love. “Right now, everything I’m putting out is rap, but my upcoming EP will lean into multilingual R&B,” she said. The project is expected to drop by the end of the year.
When asked what drew her to rap, she simply responded, “It’s fun. I never got to do it before, so I’m enjoying the exploration.”
Live Performances, Music Videos & Upcoming Releases
Despite limited experience with live rap performances, Fuoco is already hitting the stage, including a recent show at Passion’s. While she admits to stage nerves, her extensive background in classical performance has helped her adapt to the transition.
On the visual side, she has been experimenting with both high-production music videos and viral-friendly DIY content. One of her standout visuals, directed by Tril Bliss, showcases a cinematic approach, but she also embraces lower-budget, phone-shot content for accessibility. Her next video, for the song Ciao Baby, is set to drop soon, featuring a mix of Italian and English lyrics.
Defining Her Style & Musical Influences
When asked to describe her style in three words, Fuoco threw a curveball: “Experimental, lyrical, and… horny.” She laughed as she elaborated, stating that her music often incorporates themes of passion and sensuality.
Her top five musical influences reflect her genre-blending approach:
- Mariah Carey – “My biggest vocal influence, a legendary songwriter who blended pop, R&B, and hip-hop effortlessly.”
- Prince – “A musical genius who played his own instruments, wrote for other artists, and was unapologetically himself.”
- Drake – “Controversial or not, his ability to mix melody and rap is undeniable.”
- The Weeknd – “His dark, cinematic approach to R&B and his ability to craft both deep cuts and pop bangers is incredible.”
- (TBA in the full interview)
What’s Next for Nel Fuoco?
With an EP on the way, a growing international fanbase, and a unique multilingual approach, Nel Fuoco is poised to make waves in both the rap and R&B spaces. Whether she’s singing, rapping, or blending the two, one thing is clear—she’s bringing something fresh to the table.
