Kid Yugi

Francesco Stasi, better known by his stage name Kid Yugi, was born in Massafra, Italy, and raised between his hometown and Bari. His early interest in music and culture led him to start rapping during his teenage years under the name Lil Killua, experimenting with music and releasing tracks on various platforms. In February 2022, he made his official debut under the name Kid Yugi with the single “Grammelot” on Spotify. The song attracted the attention of the record label Thaurus, marking the beginning of a breakthrough in his career. Following this, Yugi released several singles, including “Sturm und Drang,” “Kabuki,” and “King Lear,” solidifying his presence in the Italian rap scene.

In October 2022, Kid Yugi collaborated with Tony Boy and Artie 5ive on the track “DEM,” which further expanded his visibility. The momentum led to the release of his first full-length album, The Globe, in November 2022. Certified gold, The Globe was a concept album influenced by William Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, drawing a parallel between the theater’s open-air performances and the gritty reality of street life. The album featured several collaborations with notable artists, including Kira, Sosa Priority, and Tony Boy. It also produced three gold-certified tracks: “Grammelot,” “The Filmographer,” and “Chekhov’s Iron,” cementing his status as one of Italy’s rising rap stars.

Kid Yugi’s success continued into 2023, when he participated in the popular format Real Talk and released his EP Quarto di bue in collaboration with renowned producer Night Skinny. The EP, featuring seven tracks, included standout songs such as “Massafghanistan” and the title track “Quarto di bue.” Both tracks received gold certification, and the platinum-certified “Sintetico,” which featured Tony Boy, became a major hit. Yugi also collaborated with other prominent artists throughout the year, including Nitro, Don Joe, Irama, and Rkomi. His feature on Tedua’s song “Paradiso Artificiali,” from the album La Divina Commedia, earned double platinum status and brought him widespread national recognition.

In September 2023, Kid Yugi performed at the Marrageddon Festival in Milan, further solidifying his growing influence. His performance of “Grammelot” and “Paradiso Artificiali” was broadcast live on Amazon Music and Radio m2o, showcasing his expanding audience. Around the same time, he contributed to the collaborative album Cvlt by Salmo and Noyz Narcos, further solidifying his place among Italy’s top rap talents.

In 2024, Kid Yugi released his second album, I nomi del diavolo, which debuted at the top of Italy’s FIMI album chart and achieved platinum certification. This concept album drew inspiration from William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, and like his previous work, it blended literature, theater, and cinema with modern rap. The album featured collaborations with top-tier Italian rappers such as Tedua, Ernia, Geolier, and Sfera Ebbasta. The album also made waves internationally, debuting at the top of Spotify’s Top Albums Debut Global chart.

Known for his intellectual approach to rap, Kid Yugi often incorporates themes from literature and theater into his music. He frequently addresses social issues, such as the environmental and health crisis caused by the Ilva steel plant in Taranto, while exploring topics like street life and drug dealing. His discography, which includes hit singles like “Paganini” and “L’Anticristo,” as well as high-profile collaborations, has solidified his reputation as one of the most promising talents in Italian rap.