The Leonardo da Vinci Society
and
The Italian Cultural Institute
On the occasion of Black History Month
Present:
Amir Issaa
Book presentation and concert
In conversation with Cristina Farronato (UC Berkeley)
Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 - 6:30pm
Italian Cultural Institute/INNOVIT
710 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Amir Issaa's works inspire his listeners to consider a broader multicultural identity for Italy using the medium of hip-hop. His mission is to advance a vision for the new Italy—one that encourages social diversity, inclusive immigration, and new cultural traditions.
Throughout his career, he has written more than 300 songs, and in the last few years he has been combining this artistic career with that of an educator. A social activist, rapper, and author, Issaa has visited colleges in the United States for the past seven years for his "Vivo per Questo" tours, running both cultural programs and artistic workshops. The English translation of his book Vivo per Questo (This is What I Live For) was published in 2023, with a significant amount of text translated by advanced collegiate Italian classes in the United States.
His latest book, Educazione Rap (ADD editore 2021), recounts his transnational experiences among these students from both sides of the Atlantic. “Hip-hop saved my life," Issaa writes. Embracing his passion for both music and activism, he remains hopeful that Italy will transform itself into a more inclusive nation and a leader in the battle against discrimination.