Sicilian rapper Gaetano Cordaro and TikToker Rita De Crescenzo are scheduled to perform tonight at a festival honoring Saint Pius in Codacchi, Trivento (Campobasso province), igniting fierce backlash.
The lyrics of Cordaro’s songs prompted a formal condemnation from the Molise-based anti-crime group “SOS Business-Network for Legality.” The association stated: “It is astonishing that Gaetano Cordaro was chosen to perform at an event dedicated to Saint Pius. While we respect artistic expression—like De Crescenzo’s social media content—Cordaro’s messaging to youth is deeply alarming. His lyrics explicitly glorify organized crime, portraying mob bosses and drug traffickers as heroes. Drug use is trivialized as ‘beneficial,’ and carrying weapons is celebrated. Such harmful values contradict our society’s urgent need to uphold legality and merit.”
SOS Business expressed “dismay and disapproval” of the performance, urging organizers, municipal authorities, and law enforcement to “prevent the spread of destructive messages during a religious celebration.”
Trivento Mayor Luigi Pavone responded: “The municipal administration provided no funding for this event, which isn’t part of our official summer calendar. It is neither our duty—nor the mayor’s—to scrutinize song lyrics at every local performance.”
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