DJ Protopapa: “I expect a more political Pride, in thirteen years it has changed a lot”

Two new songs, 'Mini Pony' and 'Croccante' , recently released, the upcoming participation in Milano Pride - the thirteenth as a DJ and producer - and a series of events throughout Europe: Protopapa , real name Stefano Protopapa, is one of the artists who are exporting Italian culture and music abroad the most.

How did 'Mini Pony' come about?

“When I wrote the song with producer Dumar, there was a lot of country music around, and you could mostly see big, hyper-masculine figures. This made me react and think instead about how beautiful the less sensationalist, “smaller” things are. So I thought of a song in this light, but always in my awkward and ironic way of seeing things. Sébastien Delage accepted, even though his genre is different from that of 'Mini Pony'. The idea was to take the image of a character who is usually strong and macho, in this case the cowboy, and make her capable of falling in love with another cowboy. In the video clip of the song, there are also some homophobic characters”.

And then there's the bandana…

"It's an important symbol because it recalls the bandana code worn by homosexuals in the 1970s. Depending on how it was worn, it suggested to others the wearer's sexual orientation."

In recent years there has also been a greater openness in the music world on Lgbtqia+ issues. What has changed?

"I felt very alone and unrepresented when I was a kid, I grew up feeling like an alien. In recent years, many artists are exposing themselves and so even young people are aware that they can do it."

You are an internationally renowned DJ, what Italian aspect do you bring to the world?

"Lots of Italian music when I do sessions, with Italo disco people get excited hearing Italian singing, I sing in the console. I always go to discover cities".

You will be at the Milano Pride again this year, how has this event changed?

"I've been here for 13 years and I've seen a huge change. In Milan, as in Rome, there are so many floats. Many brands participate and this undoubtedly helps to make it a large-scale event. This year we will see a further change, perhaps it will be more political also given the issues the Government is talking about."

Your dream collaboration?

"I put out into the universe the desire to remix a Madonna song. She's working on 'Confessions Part 2,' who knows, maybe something will come of it."

What do you wish for Protopapa?

"To get to the album release alive (laughs, ed.) and continue to tour the world with music. I would like to see more freedom in unusual artists."