Matteo Professione (born 29 November 1993), known professionally as Ernia, is an Italian rapper. He founded the crew Troupe D'Elite with fellow hip hop artist Ghali, also including Maite and producer Fawzi.
Early life Born in Milan, Ernia is the great-grandson of immigrants: one of his paternal great-grandfather was a Swiss German, while one of his maternal great-grandfathers was an exodate from Rovinj, while being originally from Montenegro.
Raised in the QT8 neighborhood of Milan (a neighborhood that Ernia himself mentions several times in his songs), he was introduced to the world of hip hop mainly through his childhood friend Tedua, with whom he grew up during his pre-teen years. Ernia then joined the Bonola Family and Razza a Parte, collectives based in the neighboring Bonola neighborhood.
After his musical stint with Troupe D'Elite, which came to an end in 2014, Ernia—who was enrolled in the university’s Department of Modern Languages at the time— dropped out of school, and after a brief job as a waiter, he moved to London, where he lived for five months. This was followed by his first return to Milan, where he worked at the European Institute of Oncology. He then stayed in France, and finally returned permanently to Italy.
Alongside the resumption of his musical career in 2016, Ernia re-enrolled in college, once again in the Department of Languages.
Career 2011-2014: Beginnings
In 2011, alongside Ghali (then known as Ghali Foh), singer Maite Zoe Dall'Asen (Maite), and producer Fawzi (Fonzi Beat), he joined the group Troupe D'Elite under the stage name ErNyah. The group was soon signed by Gué Pequeno to Tanta Roba, a label founded that same year by Fini jointly with DJ Harsh.
In 2012, Troupe D'Elite released the self-titled EP (featuring Don Joe), but it was met with negative reviews. The following year, the group participated in the auditions for the talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi, without achieving success. Meanwhile, in collaboration with Ghali, Maite, Sfera Ebbasta, and other emerging artists, Ernia released the solo mixtape N.G.R.B., produced by Charlie Charles.
Following an argument with DJ Harsh in 2014, Troupe D'Elite terminated their contract with Tanta Roba and released the album Il mio giorno preferito as independent artists, available as a free download on the Honiro platform; a few months later, however, the group disbanded. This was an EP and it was released through Honiro Records.
2016-2017: Come uccidere un usignolo He resumed his solo rap career in 2016 and after releasing several singles under the Thaurus label, including Fenomeno, featuring Izi and Moses Sangare, he released the EP No Hooks, consisting of four tracks and characterized by the complete absence of choruses (as the title suggests).
On 2 June 2017, Ernia's first studio album How to Kill a Nightingale was released, consisting of eight tracks. The title refers to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, in which a Black farmhand is wrongfully convicted; this is a comparison to the unwarranted insults and hatred directed at Troupe D’Elite. The album has been certified platinum by the Italian Music Industry Federation, alongside the track “Bella”, while the track “Madonna”, featuring Rkomi, was certified gold. Among the other tracks on this album by Ernia, special attention was also given to “Amici” which deals with Ernia's troubled childhood alongside Tedua; in an interview with Rolling Stone Italia, Ernia stated: “I tried to craft a narrative in the vein of Stephen King’s The Body: a story of kids grappling with something much bigger than themselves, yet experiencing it with a touch of naivety due to their age.”
On 3 November 2017, the rapper released Come uccidere un usignolo/67, a reissue of his debut album featuring a second disc, conceived by the artist as the “second chapter of the saga” and titled 67 (an allusion to the title of 68, the album that Ernia would release next year). The double album, consisting of sixteen tracks, features collaborations with Gué Pequeno and Mecna, on the songs “Disgusting” and “Tradimento (il traditore)”, respectively. Ranking among the top spots on the FIMI Album Chart, this ranking confirmed its positive reception from critics, while “Disgusting” itself became a certified gold track.
2018-2021: 68 and Gemelli
On 9 February 2019, Ernia released the song “La pelle del puma,” a commercial tribute to the partnership between AC Milan and Puma. Preceded by the music videos for the tracks “Domani” and “Simba,” Ernia released his second studio album “68” on September 7, 2018 through Island Records. The album consists of twelve tracks, produced by Marz and Shablo, including the single 68. The album’s name is based on the bus of the same name that runs through Bonola, on the outskirts of the QT8 district. The album cover is a reference to the cover photo of the January 1950 issue of the American magazine Vogue, taken by Erwin Blumenfeld. On 7 March 2019, during the final show of the “68 Tour” in Milan, Ernia announced the release of a reissue of the album, titled 68 (Till the End). It was set for release on April 5 and this new edition included a second CD featuring seven tracks, including the lead single “Certi giorni”, produced in collaboration with Nitro.
On 19 June 2020, the third studio album Gemelli was released. The title is meant to represent “two very similar sides that can have very different characteristics.” The album is also accompanied by the single "Superclassico", released on the same day. The album reached the top of the FIMI Album Chart, and was certified five-times platinum; the only single, "Superclassico", reached the top of the Top Singles chart, and he earned seven platinum certifications.
On 20 May 2021, a reissue of the album was released, titled Gemelli (ascendente Milano), featuring six previously unreleased tracks, including the single "Di notte" featuring Sfera Ebbasta and Carl Brave.
2022-2024: Io non ho paura On 26 October 2022, Ernia announced his musical comeback through his social media channels, announcing his fourth studio album Io non ho paura. The album was released on 18 November 2022. After debuting at the top of the FIMI Album chart, was certified triple platinum. Leading up to its release, promotional posters were displayed in various Italian cities bearing the phrase “Are you afraid of the new? You should be.” On November 10, a documentary based on the album was released via Esse magazine, in which Ernia and various producers discussed the album’s creation and concept; various guest artists, including Rkomi, Gaia, Marco Mengoni, and Salmo, were also in the documentary. The first single, "Bella fregatura", was released simultaneously with the album.
On 26 May 2023, Ernia released the single "Parafulmini" in collaboration with Bresh and Fabri Fibra and contributed to the album I nomi del diavolo by Kid Yugi, released on 1 March 2024, with the track "Nemico".
2025-present: Per soldi e per amore On 19 September 2025, Ernia released his fifth studio album, Per soldi e per amore, from which the single "Per te" was a part of. The album consists of twelve tracks, including four collaborations with Club Dogo, Kid Yugi, Madame, Marracash, Charlie Charles, Dat Boi Dee, Don Joe, Marz, and Zef. The album, after debuting at the top of the FIMI Album chart, was certified platinum.
Personal life Since 2019, Ernia has been in a relationship with model and influencer Valentina Cabassi. On 8 February 2025, he announced that they are expecting a daughter. Their daughter, Sveva, was born on 7 July 2025.
He has a sister who moved to Berlin in 2021; he dedicated the song “Berlino,” featured on the album Per soldi e per amore, to her.
Discography Studio albums Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications ITA SWI Come uccidere un usignolo Released: 2 June 2017 Label: Thaurus Format: 2× CD, digital download, streaming 5 — FIMI: Platinum 68 Released: 7 September 2018 Label: Island Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming 1 — FIMI: 2× Platinum Gemelli Released: 19 June 2020 Label: Island Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming 1 61 FIMI: 6× Platinum Io non ho paura Released: 18 November 2022 Label: Island Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming 1 32 FIMI: 3× Platinum Per soldi e per amore Released: 19 September 2025 Label: Island Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming 1 23 FIMI: 2× Platinum
Extended plays Title DetailsNo Hooks Released: 21 September 2016 Label: Thaurus Format: digital download
Singles As lead artist Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications AlbumITA"Tutto bene"2016 — rowspan="3" "Venere" —"Fenomeno" —"Ego" 2017 — Come uccidere un usignolo"La pelle del puma"2018 — "68" 54 FIMI: Gold68"Certi giorni" 2019 42 FIMI: Platinum"Superclassico"2020 1 FIMI: 7× Platinum Gemelli"Nuove strade" 51 "Ferma a guardare" 2021 3 FIMI: 5× PlatinumGemelli"Di notte" 17 FIMI: Platinum"Bella fregatura" 2022 5 FIMI: 2× PlatinumIo non ho paura"Il mio nome – Remix" 2023 51 FIMI: Platinum"Lewandowski X" 43"Parafulmini" 13 FIMI: 3× Platinum"My Love!" 2024 87 "Per te"2025 2 FIMI: PlatinumPer soldi e per amore"Berlino" 19 FIMI: Platinum
As featured artist Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications AlbumITA"Acqua calda e limone" 2018 45 FIMI: Platinum Ossigeno – EP"Numb" 2020 — "25 ore" 64 FIMI: Gold Mr. Fini"Kandinsky" 2021 — Milano soprano"Ricordi" 2023 — Tram 83"Giorgia" 2024 — Eco"Il doc 4" 43 Quanto manca 2"Istinto animale" 29 "Io vorrei 2024" 78 Fra"Good Girl" 18 Containers
Guest appearances