Highsnob

Highsnob is the stage name of Michele Matera, an Italian rapper born in Avellino and raised in La Spezia. Before his solo career he was one half of the duo Bushwaka, formed with Samuel Heron, releasing the album Pandamonium in 2015 before the project ended in 2016.

After Bushwaka, Highsnob launched a solo path built on independent releases, starting with the single «Harley Quinn» and the 2017 EP PrettyBoy. His breakthrough came with the 2018 single «Wannabe», a collaboration with Junior Cally that became a notable hit and paved the way for his debut solo album, Bipopular, also released independently. His stage name itself reflects a self-aware, DIY stance — a play on distancing himself from snobbishness while working largely without a team or major budget.

Highsnob's music blends rap with pop and electronic elements, giving him a place in the more melodic, hook-driven wing of the Italian urban scene rather than pure lyrical rap. His catalogue, built through independent releases and select collaborations, reflects an artist who has largely shaped his own career path outside major-label structures.