Sayf is one of the most interesting and talked about names on the new Italian music scene: a young emerging talent made his debut on the prestigious stage of the 2026 Sanremo Festival with the song “I like you a lot”. His history, multicultural roots and the way in which he has been able to blend different languages make his artistic path intense and original.
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Origin, growth and double cultural identity between Liguria and Tunisia
Sayf was born on March 23, 1999 in Genoa, Liguria, to a Tunisian mother and an Italian father, and grew up between Rapallo, Genoa and Santa Margherita Ligure. His childhood is marked by this double cultural heritage, which today forms the basis of his music: Mediterranean roots, urban sounds and a deep contact with the stories of two different worlds.
From an early age he was passionate about music and studied trumpet in middle school, an instrument that still recurs today in his arrangements and live shows. This first approach to music, together with his multicultural education, contributed to creating a unique musical language, suspended between rap, Mediterranean melodies and Arabic suggestions.
Real name, meaning and pronunciation of the name “Sayf”
Sayf’s real name is Adam Sayf Viacava. The choice to use “Sayf” as a stage name is not accidental: it is a part of his name that recalls deep cultural and identity roots, and for him it has a great symbolic value in his artistic identity.
As for the pronunciation, not everyone knows it: the name “Sayf” is pronounced with the accent on the “a” (Sàyf), and due to its non-Italian origin it is often adapted phonetically in our country.
Age, musical career and debut in Sanremo
Today Sayf is 26 years old and, after years of apprenticeship in the Italian urban scene, he is ready to present himself to the general public with one of the most important stages of Italian music: the Sanremo 2026 Festival. He has been officially selected among the Big names competing with the song “I like you a lot”a piece that combines elements of rap, catchy melodies and reflections on society and feelings.
Before Sanremo Sayf had already made himself known in Italy and abroad thanks to his participation in musical projects, collaborations with other urban artists and his summer hit “I feel good at the seaside”created with artists such as Marco Mengoni and Rkomi.
His participation in the Festival represents an important leap in quality: a confirmation of how his authentic and nuanced style has already won over audiences and critics.
The lyrics and meaning of “I like you a lot”
“Tu mi piaci tanto” might seem like a romantic song from the title, but in reality the song that Sayf brings to Sanremo is a sincere reflection on Italian society, full of references, historical events and contradictions of our country.
Here is the text:
You, son of a bricklayer
Emilia flooding
And Liguria too
And while we laugh
And that we make love
Your taxes need to be spent
In a hotel by the hour
I,
Loving my way
I did a lot of things wrong
And I don’t follow many trends
I,
Loving my way
I would have liked to give you
Less heart, my love
And then
Race against time
That money doesn’t wait for you
And what do you want the rush to be
On a chipping car
And you won’t see me at the window
To serenade you
Because the world doesn’t stop
But I can’t breathe anymore
Slow down
When the light goes out
Who are you staying with?
You feel okay
With your red wine
The name on a shell casing?
I like you
I like you
I like you a lot
I like you
I like you
I like you a lot
We are all the same
At the bar and working
Our mother’s children
We just want to love
And in this greed
And in this demonstrate
I like you a lot
Italy for me is that great action by Cannavaro
Italy is sadly known for some facts but let’s downplay it
The sky is blue, and the afternoon
If you arm us, we won’t leave
And as one entrepreneur said
“Italy is the country I love”
Love, my love
What a fear of being understood
At this stage of the internship
Tenco died near here
Don’t be afraid, my love
I will do better for our son
I will crush those of others
So he will play alone
When the light goes out
Who are you staying with?
You feel okay
With your red wine
The name on a shell casing?
I like you
I like you
I like you a lot
I like you
I like you
I like you a lot
We are all the same
At the bar and working
Our mother’s children
We just want to love
And in this greed
And in this demonstrate
I like you a lot
I made a little song
It’s a flower on a van
And the beatings in the squares
We forget them
I made a little song
I hope it doesn’t scare you
That we can start again
All by hand, by hand
I like you
I like you
I like you a lot
I like you
I like you
I like you a lot
We are all the same
At the bar and working
Our mother’s children
We just want to love
And in this greed
And in this demonstrate
I like you a lot
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