Fiorentina striker Moise Kean has gotten off to a hot start this season and has found his footing after a move from Juventus this season. The Italian striker has scored 13 goals in 19 games across all competitions.
But it’s not just football that Kean seems to have going for him, when he isn’t making defenders sweat on the pitch; he’s hitting the studio, crafting beats, and spitting bars. On December 16, Kean added a new title to his resume: rapper. His debut album, Chosen, is more than just a footballer’s side hustle—it’s a statement from an artist ready to make waves in the music world.
Kean’s journey into music isn’t new. In 2019, he made his first appearance in the industry, featuring in Turin-based rapper Boro Boro’s music video. Last year, under the rap moniker 19F, Kean released his debut single, Outfit, a bilingual track that merged Italian and English. Now, with Chosen, he’s stepping up from singles to a full-fledged 11-track album, featuring artists like Stunna, Sey_Blessed, and Elena Manuele.
Kean is part of a growing trend of footballers breaking into the music industry. AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, known as Way 45, has already released two albums, while others like Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah dabble in rap collaborations. This blending of music/rap culture and football is part of a cultural shift in the modern players that also involves fashion.
Even beyond Serie A, players like Memphis Depay and Bayern defender Alphonse Davies have been involved with the rap world. Davies teamed up with STUGANG to release a track, while Depay has dropped his own tracks like ‘No Love’ which has over 18 million views on YouTube.
Inside the Album
Moise Kean’s album ‘Chosen’ opens with the track I Was Born a Winner, which sets the tone for the album and also has him declaring himself as the “Chosen One.” The album explores themes of resilience, success, and self-expression, all tied together. It’s also important to note that all tracks carry the name KMB as the artist, which is Kean’s chosen stage name.
One of the standout tracks, Celebrate, samples Back On 74 by the British electronic group Jungle, creating a euphoric vibe that resonates as a celebration of life. Each track is infused with Kean’s personality, showcasing influences from legends such as Tupac and Bob Marley. The album is now streaming on all platforms, and when Keane was asked about his love for music, he had this to say: “Some say I think too much about music, but if God gives you the chance to have a talent, why not show it?” He also spoke about how music relaxes him.
The Launch Party
To mark the album’s release, Kean hosted a listening/launch party in Milan that felt more like a celebration of his dual identity as a footballer and musician.
On stage, he performed every track alongside his collaborators, including Stunna and Elena Manuele. The crowd featured a mix of teammates and friends, from Cristiano Biraghi and Weston Mckennie to Robin Gosens and Riccardo Sottil.
The event held in a club looked to be electric from videos that are circulating online, but a notable absentee from the event was Kean’s close friend Rafael Leao who’s also a fellow music/rap enthusiast.
What’s next for Kean?
Kean’s foray into music and rap is for sure not a fleeting experiment. His passion and love for writing and rapping run deep, and the music and football industry opens doors for exciting collaborations. With his football form peaking as well, it all seems to be going smoothly for the Italian.
Rumors of future collaborations with AC Milan star Rafael Leao, known in the music world as Way 45, have been swirling. Fans are optimistic that it won’t be long before Leao and Kean team up on a track—or perhaps even an entire album.
With his album now streaming worldwide, the next question that remains is how quickly Kean can rise through the music charts before eventually dropping a chart topper.
