Shiva

Shiva, born Andrea Arrigoni, is an Italian rapper from the Milan area who rose to prominence through freestyle battle culture before becoming one of the most commercially successful rap artists in Italy. His stage name was inspired by a graffiti writer he encountered as a teenager in Tuscany, whose tag he later adopted once its original owner had moved on. Shiva built his early reputation on freestyle contests, winning notable competitions before pivoting to a recording career defined by melodic trap and rap hybrids.

His sound blends Italian rap cadences with Auto-Tuned melodic hooks, drawing on trap, pop and R&B production, which has made his music a fixture on Italian streaming charts. Tracks such as «Gotham», «Take 5», «Take 6» and «Auto Blu» showcase his signature moody, atmospheric production paired with catchy, repetitive hooks, while «Big City Life RMX» reflects his willingness to rework and collaborate on remixes. Songs like «Soldi in Nero» and «Polvere» continue his exploration of street narratives filtered through a polished, radio-ready sound.

Shiva occupies a prominent place in the new generation of Italian trap and rap artists who emerged from the freestyle and battle-rap scene of the 2010s and transitioned into mainstream chart success. His melodic delivery and hook-driven songwriting have influenced younger Italian rap acts, and he remains one of the most streamed rappers in Italy.