There are stories that don’t begin at a precise moment, but grow alongside us. Stories that become a refuge, a source of strength, a silent companion. For Andrea Cataldo, known as Catti, music has been exactly that: a natural presence, something he didn’t choose, but that found its way into his life from childhood.

Andrea Cataldo is a 19‑year‑old artist born on June 28, 2007, a young man determined to turn aspiration into profession. Today, he is working to transform his dream into a concrete path: living through music, allowing that passion to become not just an outlet but his future. He describes himself as someone who shows up, who puts in the effort, who wants to build something real starting from what he genuinely feels.

When did you first realize that music would become an important part of your life?

There was never a precise moment when I understood that music would become an essential part of my life. It emerged naturally, quietly, without asking for permission. As a child, during the frequent arguments between my parents, I would put on my headphones and retreat into music to escape from everything that felt heavy. It became my way of breathing, my safe space. Music has always played a therapeutic role for me. It accompanied me through difficult periods, supported me when I needed strength, and helped me find balance. I attended a singing school when I was young, and that passion never faded. It grew with me, evolved, and became a constant presence in my life. The true turning point came when I began writing and composing. Giving shape to what I felt, transforming emotions into words and melodies, allowed me to understand myself more deeply. In that creative process, I realized that music was not just a passion but a defining part of who I am. It is something inseparable from my identity, something that continues to guide me.

He also tells us that…

Andrea’s musical journey began at the age of 11, when he enrolled in a singing school. Although he eventually left, music remained a meaningful part of his life, even during the period when it seemed to have become a closed chapter. Then, almost unexpectedly and partly as a joke, an idea that had been in his mind for some time began to take shape: writing a song of his own. What started as a simple thought eventually became reality, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his relationship with music. His first challenges were deeply personal. When he started out, shyness and a lack of confidence made it difficult for him to put himself out there and believe in his own abilities. Today, however, Andrea describes himself as a completely different person, having overcome much of that insecurity and grown significantly along the way. Another challenge has been learning to manage everything that comes with pursuing music professionally. Andrea is someone who wants to do things properly, often trying to keep everything under control and make sure that every detail is taken care of. This also means coordinating the people involved in his projects, managing deadlines and making sure that everything comes together at the right time. For Andrea, growing as an artist has therefore meant much more than simply developing his musical abilities. It has also been a process of becoming more confident, learning to manage responsibility and understanding what it truly takes to turn an idea into something real. Musically, his style is primarily rooted in rap and pop. Through his songs, Andrea aims to communicate meaningful messages, because he believes that this is one of the true purposes of music: leaving something concrete with the people who listen. His goal is not simply to create songs, but to give listeners something that can remain with them beyond the music itself. Among the artists who have most influenced his artistic development are Ernia, Marracash and Lazza, whose different approaches to songwriting, expression and contemporary Italian music have contributed to shaping his own artistic identity.

When you work on a new song, where does the inspiration usually come from: a personal experience, an emotion, a story, or something you observe around you? How much of your personal life goes into your lyrics, and how much do you prefer to leave to imagination?

For me, a new song doesn’t necessarily come from a specific reason, but from a particular moment. It happens when I feel, deep inside, the need to express something and almost an urgency to say something to others. Sometimes the inspiration also comes from personal experiences, from the need to remember all those moments that, for better or worse, have helped shape the person I am today. Lately, I’ve been talking a lot about myself and my life in my songs. Putting into words and laying over a beat even the things that have hurt me in the past helps me feel better. Music gives me a way to let those emotions out and transform them into something meaningful. At the same time, I can’t bring everything into my music. After a certain point, I sometimes feel a block, and there are many things that I still prefer to keep to myself. There are parts of my life and emotions that I’m not ready to share completely. Maybe one day the time will come when I’ll be able to open up completely with my fans, but for now, I think it’s important to keep some things just for myself.

He believes that social media has unfortunately become a fundamental part of the music industry today. Without a strong presence on these platforms, he feels that it can be difficult for an emerging artist to go very far. At the same time, however, he strongly believes that social media alone cannot build a lasting career. For him, talent remains essential. In his view, without genuine artistic talent, an artist can only be a shooting star: they may have their moment of success, but it is unlikely to last. If you have talent, determination and the right mindset, he believes you can go wherever you want and build something meaningful over time. When it comes to his dreams, he has carried one particular ambition with him since childhood: performing at the Sanremo Music Festival in the Big Artists category. He grew up experiencing all the emotions and moments surrounding the festival and considers that week almost sacred, a time when he feels the need to stop, disconnect from everything else and simply enjoy Italian music. Another dream he would love to make a reality one day is collaborating with some of the artists who have had the greatest influence on his musical journey, particularly Ernia and Marracash. For him, sharing a song with either of them would represent not only an important professional achievement, but also the realization of a dream he has carried with him for years.

Looking ahead, what are the projects you are working on, and how do you envision your artistic journey over the next ten years? What would you ultimately like to leave behind in the memory of those who listen to your music?

He is currently working on several new songs and plans to continue pushing himself creatively. His goal is to release numerous new tracks throughout the year, while also considering the possibility of creating a small project with a deeper narrative, something capable of telling a broader story rather than being limited to a single song. When he thinks about what he would like people to remember about him, songwriting and lyrics come first. Rather than simply defining himself as a rapper, he considers himself an author, because writing is, for him, the most important element of music. It is through words that he feels able to express himself most authentically and leave something meaningful behind. He also hopes that, when people think of Catti, they will think of Capri, the island that represents his special place and a place close to his heart. He hopes that, over time, it will become part of his artistic identity and of the story he tells through his music. Looking ten years ahead, he hopes that the dream he is pursuing today will have become reality. He hopes to have planted the right seeds, made the right choices and, above all, left something meaningful with the people who have listened to him and followed his journey. He also hopes that the Catti of today will have learned to let go of some of the fears he currently carries, particularly the constant fear of the future and of making the wrong choices. Ultimately, he hopes to have found peace by doing the work he has always dreamed of and by sharing unforgettable experiences and emotions with his fans and the people he loves. For him, the future is therefore not simply about achieving success. It is about building something that has meaning, staying true to his writing and, one day, being able to look back and know that his music left a genuine mark on the people who listened to it.

Until our next interview, I leave you with my warm regards.A sincere thank you from Micro Influencer Daniel Balan, where every project becomes a visual narrative and every connection a new story to tell.If you wish to follow my work and explore the world of Daniel Vision Lab, you can find me on Instagram at @danielbalan.oficial