Gianluca Picariello, known to many as Ghemon, embodies the modern artist who refuses to be confined by a single label. Rapper, singer, podcaster, and now a burgeoning stand-up comedian, he`s a testament to the power of embracing change and continuous evolution. “I did everything a moment before it became fashionable,” he often quips on stage, a playful nod to a deeper truth: one is never just one thing, a philosophy reflected in the title of his latest book, “Nessuno è una cosa sola” (No One is Just One Thing).
Amidst his many transformations, one constant remains: sport. It`s a foundational pillar, a backdrop to his artistic endeavors, fueling his passion and curiosity across various disciplines.
The Art of Transformation: More Than Just a Single Note
Ghemon`s journey from chart-topping rapper to a stand-up comedian might seem like a leap, but for him, it was a natural progression. After gracing prestigious stages like Sanremo multiple times, he felt the need to explore other facets of his personality. Comedy, a long-standing presence in his private life, offered a new lens through which to observe the world. Where his songs might have carried a melancholic weight, stand-up allowed him to find humor in life`s absurdities. It was about finding a new outlet for expression, a different way to connect and engage, without abandoning the essence of who he is.
The Marathon Mindset: Goals, Grit, and Gaining Ground
His relationship with running began out of necessity, but quickly blossomed into a passion for marathons. “In running, appetite comes with eating,” he explains, highlighting the drive to constantly challenge oneself with new distances and speeds. It’s a journey that looks forward, yet allows for reflective returns, much like his diverse career path. From a local 10k in his hometown`s vicinity to the iconic marathons of New York and Chicago, his progress was steady and progressive, fueled by the tangible rewards of self-improvement.
Ghemon finds inspiration and discipline in his running endeavors.
Running also instilled a crucial life lesson: the importance of setting manageable goals. When faced with the anxiety of an uncertain future, focusing on “meter by meter” objectives helps regain control. His next major athletic aspiration? An ultra-marathon. While acknowledging frequent suggestions for triathlon, he humorously admits his current swimming skills would make that a rather splashy endeavor – and Ghemon, it seems, prefers to do things well.
Courtside Chronicles: Italian Basketball`s Evolving Playbook
As a fervent basketball fan, Ghemon offers a thoughtful perspective on the Italian national team. With the departure of legends Gigi Datome and Marco Belinelli, the team is in a period of renewal. He praises the resurgence of Danilo Gallinari, the European prowess of Nicolò Melli, and the exceptional talent of Simone Fontecchio. Belinelli`s retirement, while a personal disappointment for a fan, is also viewed with admiration for a career that achieved almost everything, though perhaps not the full measure of success with the national squad.
Ghemon pictured with legendary Italian basketball player, Marco Belinelli.
From Mic Drop to Punchline: Stand-Up`s Rhythmic Resonance
For Ghemon, stand-up comedy and rap are two sides of the same coin: both tell contemporary stories with a rapid rhythm, stemming from strong American roots. They are permeable, rhythmic languages, much like basketball itself. This inherent connection allows him to navigate the new world of comedy with the same confidence he once felt solely as a rapper.
And if Italian basketball players were to venture into stand-up? Ghemon has a clear vision: a duo featuring Gigi Datome and Nicolò Melli. He humorously suggests their combined wit, intelligence, and ready banter, evidenced in their national team podcasts, would make them excellent, albeit unconventional, comedians. Melli, it turns out, is already a regular in stand-up audiences, perhaps taking notes for a future double act.
Nicolò Melli and Gigi Datome, potential stand-up comedians in Ghemon`s eyes.
He likens stand-up to tennis: each joke is a point, met with either audience applause or silence. The key is not to get discouraged but to keep serving until you win over the crowd. This resilience, born from artistic performance and sports, defines his approach.
Avellino`s Enduring Spirit: Where Sport is Soul
Growing up in Avellino, a city where sport, be it basketball or football, is deeply intertwined with identity, profoundly shaped Ghemon. The collective pride, the sense of belonging, and the lessons of teamwork, individual effort, and perseverance learned through local teams are invaluable. Despite past setbacks, including bankruptcies, the passion for Avellino`s teams endures, demonstrating a unique resilience that reflects the city`s very soul. He hopes to see both local basketball teams return to Serie A, stating, “We have already paid enough purgatory in both sports, now it`s our turn.”
The “Most Improved Player” Philosophy: A Quest for Constant Evolution
When asked which basketball player he would be, Ghemon doesn`t hesitate: the Most Improved Player. This annual NBA award perfectly encapsulates his personal philosophy – a constant striving to be better than the year before, artistically and personally. It`s a beautiful metaphor for a career built on reinvention and the relentless pursuit of growth.
The Grand Stage Dream: Madison Square Garden vs. Marathon Gold
Presented with the ultimate choice – winning the New York City Marathon or selling out Madison Square Garden – Ghemon`s performer heart takes precedence. While acknowledging the athletic glory, filling the legendary Madison Square Garden is a dream reserved for “a few aliens,” an ultimate artistic triumph. After such an achievement, one might indeed consider retiring to the countryside to grow tomatoes.
Ghemon`s journey is a compelling narrative of how diverse passions intertwine and fuel each other. He`s not merely an artist dabbling in sports, or an athlete with a side hustle in entertainment. He is a true entertainer, bridging disciplines, showcasing that in both sport and art, technical skill and spectacular showmanship must always go hand in hand, creating an experience that truly moves an audience.
Gideon Holt 
Elton Marrow