Kriminal - Prod. by Roberto Ferrante

Kriminal is a complex track that serves as both a party anthem and a statement of identity for Baby Gang. On the surface, it is a celebration of international success, merging Baby Gang's Italian urban roots with the global appeal of Latin dembow legends El Alfa and Omega. However, beneath the infectious rhythm lies a narrative about the duality of the artist's life: the tension between his 'criminal' past and his current status as a music star.

The song reclaims the label 'criminal' not as an insult, but as a badge of authenticity. When Baby Gang says he enters every barrio in Milan like an ultra, he is cementing his connection to the streets and the people who support him, suggesting that his fame hasn't detached him from his origins. The juxtaposition of the romantic, melodic chorus (interpolating a classic song) with the aggressive verses highlights a conflict between the desire for a pure, simple love and the chaotic, fast-paced life of illicit dealings and fame.

Furthermore, the song acts as a bridge between cultures. By bringing Dominican superstars to an Italian track, Baby Gang is asserting that the struggle and energy of the streets are universal, whether in Santo Domingo or Milan. The recurring mentions of 'Free Simba' add a layer of somber reality, grounding the track in the artist's personal struggles with the legal system and loyalty to his friends, preventing the song from becoming purely escapist.

The song opens with a melodic and romantic declaration in Spanish, where the narrator expresses a deep longing to see their lover in the morning, promising eternal love if permitted. This soft, affectionate introduction sharply contrasts with the high-energy beat that drops immediately after, signaling a shift from romance to the hard-hitting reality of the streets.

Baby Gang enters with a dominant verse in Italian, asserting his status as a 'criminal' who has successfully transitioned from the streets to the radio airwaves. He describes his influence spreading across every neighborhood in Milan, comparing his presence to the intense passion of ultras in a soccer stadium. He admits that despite his success, his mind remains constantly active and perhaps a bit chaotic, driven by the need to make money by any means necessary.

The narrative weaves between the desire for intimacy—wanting just 'you and me' for the night—and the pursuit of material wealth and status. Baby Gang rejects standard symbols of luxury like the Lamborghini in favor of a Bugatti, emphasizing his desire for something even more exclusive. He grounds himself in his local reality, stating that he isn't in Miami but can be found in a bar in Milan, challenging anyone to question his authenticity as a 'real Italian.'

The lyrics also touch upon a chaotic lifestyle filled with vices and illicit activities, using a string of female names as metaphors for drugs and dangerous habits. He references the '70s and '80s eras and mentions a Panda 4x4, a car often associated with humble Italian life but here repurposed as a vehicle for his crew. Throughout the track, shouts of 'Free Simba' echo, serving as a call for the freedom of his incarcerated associate, Simba La Rue, reminding listeners that despite the party vibe, the harsh legal realities of their life remain ever-present.

Kriminal was released on July 18, 2025, marking a significant milestone in Baby Gang's career as he collaborated with two titans of the Latin urban scene, El Alfa and Omega (also known as Omega El Fuerte). The track was produced by Roberto Ferrante, an Italian producer known for his versatility, who crafted a beat that seamlessly blends the frantic percussion of Dominican dembow with the darker, melodic textures of Italian trap.

The song is notable for being a contemporary tribute to Estrellita De Madrugada, a classic merengue/mambo hit by Omega and Daddy Yankee. The chorus of Kriminal directly interpolates the hook from that song ('Por la mañana yo te veré...'), modernizing it for a new generation. This collaboration was released under Planet Records, a label with a strong history of bridging European and Latin American music markets. Upon its release, the song achieved immediate commercial success in Italy, topping the FIMI singles chart and becoming a summer anthem, solidifying Baby Gang's position as a major player in the international urban music landscape.

The song features a complex rhythmic structure dominated by the fast-paced 4/4 Dembow beat (typically around 120-130 BPM or higher in this hybrid style). The vocal rhythm varies significantly between the artists:

• Chorus: Melodic and sustained, following a simple AABB rhyme scheme in Spanish that provides a breathing room for the listener.
• Verses: Baby Gang employs a choppy, staccato delivery (flow) that locks in tight with the snare hits. He frequently uses multisyllabic rhymes and assonance (e.g., 'Miami / Milano / italiano').
• Bridge: The list of names and substances uses a driving, repetitive cadence that accelerates the tension before releasing it back into the hook. The rhythm is relentless, designed to maintain high energy on a dancefloor.

Musical Techniques: Producer Roberto Ferrante employs a high-tempo Dembow rhythm characterized by its repetitive, syncopated beat which drives the track's danceability. The arrangement switches between the melodic, synth-driven sections of the chorus and the stripped-back, percussion-heavy verses that allow the vocals to punch through. The use of the 'Por la mañana' sample creates a nostalgic hook that contrasts with the modern, aggressive production.

Literary/Lyrical Techniques: Baby Gang utilizes code-switching, moving fluently between Italian and street slang, while the features add Spanish, creating a multilingual tapestry that reflects the multicultural nature of modern urban Europe. He employs antithesis (Radio vs. Barrio, Miami vs. Milan) to define his identity by what he is and what he is not. The lyrics also feature rapid-fire flow and internal rhyme schemes ('Caterina e Amanda, cocaina, Coca, Fanta'), which mimic the frenetic energy of the beat.

Kriminal represents a significant moment in the globalization of Italian urban music. By collaborating with El Alfa (The King of Dembow) and Omega, Baby Gang demonstrated that Italian street rap could hold its own alongside major Latin American genres. The song's release in 2025 was a major cultural event in Italy, topping the charts and becoming a ubiquitous summer hit.

It showcased the growing trend of 'Latin-European' crossovers, influencing other Italian artists to explore dembow and reggaeton rhythms. Culturally, it also highlighted the multi-ethnic reality of modern Italy, where second-generation immigrants and diverse influences are reshaping the national pop culture identity. The track is also part of the broader legacy of the 'Estrellita De Madrugada' sample, proving the timelessness of the original melody.

The lyrics are dense with symbols of status, identity, and street life:

• The Radio vs. The Barrio: Baby Gang contrasts the radio (mainstream success, legality) with the barrio (the streets, illegality). His ability to exist in both spaces simultaneously is the core tension of the song.
• Ultras in the Stadium: He compares himself to ultras (hardcore soccer fans), symbolizing fanatic loyalty, intensity, and a mob-like presence that commands respect and fear.
• Bugatti vs. Lamborghini: While both are luxury cars, the rejection of the Lamborghini (often seen as the standard rapper car) in favor of a Bugatti symbolizes a desire to transcend the cliché and achieve a higher, rarer level of success.
• Female Names (Sandra, Alessandra, Valentina...): These names are used metaphorically to represent different drugs or illicit substances (e.g., 'Bianca' often implies cocaine, though here he uses a rhyming list). This personification of vices suggests a seductive, inescapable relationship with the criminal lifestyle.
• Panda 4x4: A reference to the Fiat Panda, a common, rugged Italian car. Using it in the context of a 'gang' vehicle subverts the image of luxury, grounding the artist in a specifically Italian street reality that is gritty and unpretentious.

'Kriminal': The title word is repeated like a mantra. It serves as the central motif, reclaiming a pejorative term as a title of power and survival.

'Por la mañana yo te veré' (In the morning I will see you): This hook repeats throughout the song, providing a melodic anchor. It represents hope and the human side of the narrator, contrasting with the 'criminal' persona.

'Free Simba': A recurring ad-lib shout-out to Simba La Rue. This motif serves as a reality check, a reminder of the consequences of the lifestyle celebrated in the song, and acts as a signature tag for Baby Gang's collective.

'Dale Mambo': A classic reggaeton/merengue call-out that signals the drop or a shift in energy, paying homage to the genre's roots.