Eurovision is still months away, but the drama has already begun. In Italy, quite a few people are calling for Estonia's entry to be excluded because they say it mocks Italian stereotypes: the mafia, the desire to drink coffee and the love of spaghetti.
“Espresso Macchiato,” a song by rapper Tommy Cash, is sung in a mix of English and Italian and describes a lifestyle that seems to resemble that of the Italians. “Ciao bella, I'm Tomaso, addicted to tobacco. Mi like mi coffè very importante,” the song says.
He continues to sing: “Mi money numeroso, I work around the clocko. That's why I'm sweating like a mafioso” (My money is numerous, I work night and day. That's why I'm sweating like a mafioso) and: “Life is like spaghetti, it's hard until you make it” (Life is like spaghetti, it's hard until you make it).
Codacons, a consumer protection association, has questioned whether "it is appropriate to allow a song that offends a country and an entire community" to be part of the competition.
“Indignation has been expressed by many citizens [over a song] whose lyrics contain stereotypes about Italy and Italians – the usual clichés of coffee and spaghetti, but above all the mafia and the display of luxury, which conveys a message of a people linked to organized crime.”
However, quite a few Italians have praised the song. “I will vote for Estonia!” wrote one Italian commenter on YouTube.
Writing down some of the verses, another wrote: “'No stresso, no stresso, don't need to be depresso' - as an Italian, I think I'll get this phrase tattooed” (no stress, no stress, no need to be depressed).
Another commented: "As an Italian, I am surprised, but also confused, but also offended, but also honored."
"As an Italian, I find it funny how some people are offended by 'Espresso Macchiato'. The song doesn't stereotype Italy - it's the stereotype of how foreigners think they are Italian. It's an exaggerated, ironic take on that foreign perspective, not an attack on our culture," says another.
"I'm Italian and I'd be offended if this masterpiece didn't win Eurovision," reads another comment. "Me: What the hell is this song. Me again 10 minutes later: MI AMOREE EEE."
