Emmanuela "Emma" Marrone (; born 25 May 1984), often known mononymously as Emma, is an Italian singer, songwriter and actress.
After working with several bands, she gained recognition after winning the ninth edition of the Italian reality competition Amici di Maria De Filippi in March 2010, and signed with record label Universal Music. Since 2010, she has released 7 solo studio albums, 1 extended play and over fifty singles, topping the Italian Singles Chart and the Italian Albums Chart four times and selling more than 2 million records in Italy.
In February 2012, she won the Sanremo Music Festival 2012 with the song "Non è l'inferno". She also represented Italy during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 with the song "La mia città", finishing in 21st place at the end of the competition.
She collaborated with International artists like Thirty Seconds to Mars and Álvaro Soler, and Italian singers Elisa, Alessandra Amoroso, Modà, Fabrizio Moro, Vasco Rossi, Giuliano Sangiorgi and Roberto Casalino. Marrone figured also as a songwriter and producer for other artists such as Elodie and Antonino.
In 2013, 2015, and 2016 Marrone served as a coach for the white team during the final stage of Amici di Maria De Filippi, which gave her two Italian Television Direction Awards. She also ventured into acting starring in Gabriele Muccino's film The Best Years (2020) and Stefano Chiantini's film Il ritorno (2022).
She received several Italian and International awards and nominations including three MTV Italian Music Awards, one TRL Awards and was nominated at the MTV Europe Music Award and the World Music Awards.
Biography 1984–2002: Early life and musical beginnings Emmanuela Marrone was born in Florence to Rosario and Maria Marrone, originally from Aradeo in the province of Lecce, Southern Italy. After spending her early childhood in Sesto Fiorentino, at the age of 4 she moved with her family to Aradeo. She acquired her passion for music from her father, who was a guitarist in a band from Aradeo called "Karadreon" (formed when Marrone was about 10 years old) and in a band called "H2O".Karadreon ed H2o She graduated from classical high school, writing a thesis on music. She worked in a warehouse and was a saleswoman for three years.
2003–2009: TV experience on Superstar Tour and performing with Lucky Star, Mjur and Anonimo Soul Marrone started her professional musical career in 2003, when she took part in the second Italian edition of Popstars (later renamed Superstar Tour); she won the talent show, and along with Laura Pisu and Colomba Pane formed Lucky Star. The group released a successful single in 2003 called "Stile", on the Universal label. In 2006 the group recorded the soundtrack of the cartoon W.I.T.C.H. and released a dance-pop album, called LS3.W.I.T.C.H. The band then broke up.
In 2007, she formed another alternative rock group, M.J.U.R. (which stands for "Mad Jesters Until Rave").sheet MJUR from the site of the 'Dracma Records' The group won a contract with Dracma Records, recorded an album between August and September 2007, and released the album Mjur in January 2008, with ten tracks written and composed by its members.
Between 2007 and 2009, she was in the band Anonimo Soul with her uncle Emidio Marrone, performing soul and funk. Until 2009 she also played with H2O, a band in which her father Rosario Marrone was a member.
2009–2010: Amici, first solo record Oltre and rise to success In 2009, she took part in another talent show for Canale 5, Amici di Maria De Filippi, and won this competition.
In March 2010, through Universal Music she released her first EP, Oltre, which was very successful in Italy, peaking at number one for two weeks on the Italian Albums Chart. In the same month, her first single was released, "Calore", which peaked at number one for two weeks and was certified platinum.
The EP was certified triple platinum for its sales in Italy and was the second best-selling album of 2010 in Italy. In Switzerland it peaked at number 85.
On 28 May 2010, she took part in the Wind Music Awards, and was awarded the prize for the multiplatinum CD EP Oltre by her idol Gianna Nannini.Emma dreams of a duet with Gianna Nannini
In June 2010, she began her first summer-long tour: the Ahi ce sta passu tour. She toured throughout Italy with her band. In the same month, she also took part in the Amici Tour 2010 with all the contestants of the talent show. In July 2010, the second single from Oltre was released: "Un sogno a costo zero". After the tour, she released the video for the third single "Sembra strano".
In the summer of 2010, Marrone received the award for Best Female Vocalist of the Year 2010 at the Venice Music Awards.
2010–2011: A me piace così, and second place in the Sanremo Music Festival 2011 On 24 September 2010, a new single called "Con le nuvole" was released. On 19 October her second solo record was released, also through Universal, A me piace così, which debuted at number 2 on the Italian singles chart, while in Switzerland peaked at number 50. On 19 November 2010, the second single from the album, "Cullami", was released.
On 30 November 2010, a special edition of the album was released which included both the albums Oltre and A me piace così, with two new songs: "L'Amore Che Ho" (written by Neffa) and "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" (duet with Craig David). In February 2011, she was nominated for the TRL Awards 2011 in the category Best Talent Show Artist.
Marrone participated in the Sanremo Music Festival 2011 with the group Modà with the song "Arriverà", finishing in second place, behind Roberto Vecchioni. The track "Arriverà" debuted at the top of the Italian singles chart. In conjunction with her participation, the Sanremo Edition of the album was released. It featured a new cover, "Arriverà" and two new songs, "Io son per te l'amore" and "Per sempre".Cover album On 15 March 2011, Marrone opened the only Italian date of Taylor Swift's tour. On 15 April 2011, the song "Io son per te l'amore" was released as a single. On 29 May 2011, she opened the final of the Italian Cup 2010–2011 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, singing the Italian national anthem.
In summer 2011, Emma embarked on her second tour, A me piace cosi Tour 2011. In the same period she opened two concerts for Vasco Rossi and three concerts for Gianna Nannini. Also in the summer of 2011, she was awarded the Wind Music Awards 2011 for sales of A me piace cosi and sales of the digital single in collaboration with Modà, "Arriverà". In July 2011 Marrone participated in a festival dedicated to Italian singer Giorgio Gaber, singing two songs, "Io non-mi sento italiano" and "La libertà".
In September 2011, the album A me piace cosi was certified double platinum, while "Arriverà" went multiplatinum.
2011–2012: Sarò libera and victory at the Sanremo Music Festival 2012
On 20 September 2011, Emma released her third solo studio album, Sarò libera, preceded by the single of the same name, which was released on 2 September 2011.Sarò libera, the new album by Emma Marrone The song has been certified gold in Italy, while the album debuted atop the Italian album chart, and was officially certified triple platinum. On 28 October 2011, the second single, "Tra Passione e lacrime", was released. In January 2012, Marrone made a cameo in the final scene and credits of Benvenuti al Nord, singing "Nel blu dipinto di blu".
On 15 January 2012, she announced her participation in the Sanremo Music Festival 2012 with the song "Non è l'inferno", releasing Sarò libera (Sanremo Edition). On the third night of the festival, Marrone sang a cover of Amen Corner's "(If Paradise Is) Half as Nice" with Gary Go. On the fourth evening, she performed her single "Non è l'inferno" with Alessandra Amoroso. On 19 February 2012, she was proclaimed the winner of the 62nd Sanremo Music Festival. The song "Non è l'inferno" went straight to number one in the Italian singles chart, and was then certified double platinum. In Switzerland, the single peaked at number 19, remaining on the chart for three consecutive weeks.Swiss Chart:Non è l'inferno alla 19 Despite this success, the album Sarò Libera only reached number 43 on the Swiss album chart.Swiss Charts: Sarò libera alla 43Swiss Charts:8 settimane in classifica per Sarò libera
In February 2012, Marrone was nominated for a Kids' Choice Award 2012 in the category of Best Italian singer. On 31 March 2012, Marrone returned to the talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi, competing in the category "BIG", which was won by Alessandra Amoroso. Amoroso announced her intention to split the prize, consisting of a free concert at Arena di Verona which was subsequently held on 5 September 2012, with Marrone. During the show, Antonino performed the song "Resta ancora un po'", written by Emma. It was released on 7 May 2012 as the second single from his album Libera quest'anima. The song peaked at number 6 on the Italian singles chart.
At the TRL Awards 2012, Emma received nominations in the categories Best Fan and Italians Do It Better, winning the latter.
On 27 April 2012, Emma released "Cercavo amore", the fourth single from her album Sarò libera. The single remained at the top of the Italian singles chart for two weeks and was certified platinum. In Switzerland, it debuted at number 68.Swiss Charts:the 68th position for Cercavo amore On 10 July 2012, the official remix of "Cercavo amore" by Alex Gaudino and Jason Rooney was released. "Cercavo amore" was the only Italian song included in Just Dance 4. On 2 July 2012, Marrone performed "Cercavo amore" at the Wind Music Awards 2012. Marrone also sang a duet with Pino Daniele to the tune of "Io per lei" and "Quando".
In the month of July she began her third tour, called Sarò libera. It sold more than 160,000 tickets, excluding venues with free admission, selling out almost every concert.AGI:a triumph for the 'Sarò libera tour', more than 160,000 tickets sold and sold out at every stage On 17 September 2012 the fifth single from Sarò libera was released, "Maledetto quel giorno".
On 8 October 2012, Marrone performed in concert for Puglia Sounds at the Koko Club in London, promoting music from the region of Apulia. On 6 November 2012, the track list of the triple disc Per Gaber... io ci sono, a tribute to Giorgio Gaber, was announced, with Marrone singing the song "Freedom". On 11 November 2012, a preview of the music video for the song "Non sono solo te", of which Marrone was both producer and screenwriter, was released on the site of Corriere della Sera.
2013–2014: Schiena, Eurovision Song Contest 2014 and E Live
In February 2013, for the second consecutive year, Marrone received a nomination for the Kids' Choice Award 2013 in the category of Best Italian Singer. On 15 February, on the fourth evening of Sanremo Music Festival 2013, dedicated to Sanremo Story, Marrone performed the song "Per Elisa" by Alice, as a duet with Annalisa. On 16 February, Marrone was chosen as artistic director of a team of Amici di Maria De Filippi, competing against Miguel Bosé's team.
On 9 April 2013, Emma released her third solo studio album, Schiena, through Universal Music. It reached number one on the Italian album chart, and was certified triple platinum.
On 21 January 2014, it was announced by RAI that Marrone would represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the song "La mia città". In the final, Marrone placed 21st with 33 points.
On 11 November 2014, Emma released her first live album E Live. It included 15 songs performed live at the Arena di Verona, as well as the studio version of "Resta ancora un po'", which was released as the album's lead single on 6 October 2014. The song was written by Marrone, but had originally been released as a single by Antonino in 2012.
2015–2018: Adesso, Essere qui and television