Italian rapper and activist 'Jovanotti' turns 50

(ANSA) - Rome, September 27 - Italian singer and rapper Lorenzo Cherubini, best known as "Jovanotti", turns 50 on Tuesday and is celebrating several decades of chart and musical success.
    After starting as a DJ in Rome's discos, he moved on to radio stations in Milan before embarking on his singing and stage career.
    He became a symbol of youth culture at the end of the 80s and the start of the 90s, but over time has been able to break the mould, challenge prejudices and emerge as one of Italy's favourite singers.
    He has given a voice to the collective conscience, and campaigned at the social level, with his music at times heading towards world and ethnic styles including hip hop and funk.
    His lyrics have grown deeper and more attentive over time, touching on subjects ranging from love to philosophy, politics and religion.
    "I believe only one big church exists in this world, which passes from Che Guevara and reaches as far as Mother Teresa, passing Malcom X through Gandhi and San Patrignano, reaching a priest in the periphery who carries on in spite of the Vatican," are words from his 1993 "Penso Positivo" (I Think Positive) song which became a slogan for a generation.
    Today he remains an artist who refuses to stay still and continues to enjoy success. He recently told fans on Facebook that he is slowly working on writing new material.
    During his 30-year career he has toured with some of Italy's best-known singers including Pino Daniele and Eros Ramazzotti, and has written songs for Laura Pausini and Zucchero. Declaring himself a pacifist, he has worked with groups such as Amnesty International and has campaigned to cancel third world debts.
    To celebrate his 50th birthday he plans to stream free videos of his Lorenzo nei Palasport 2015/2016 tour.