From Cinisello Balsamo to the World: Sfera Ebbasta’s Creativity Knows No Bounds
In an exclusive interview with Hypebeast, the Italian artist shares how he’s honoring community through design for his second Timberland collab.
From Cinisello Balsamo to the World: Sfera Ebbasta’s Creativity Knows No Bounds
In an exclusive interview with Hypebeast, the Italian artist shares how he’s honoring community through design for his second Timberland collab.
You can take Sfera Ebbasta out of Italy, but you can’t take Italy out of Sfera Ebbasta.
One of the country’s most-streamed rappers, he has become a poster child for a new wave of Italian artists. Starting his career in Cinisello Balsamo – often referred to as Ciny – he produced his first mixtape alongside close friend Charlie Charles, and later went on to release six albums, with his 2018 project Rockstar reaching the global charts – a major feat for the country’s hip-hop scene.
Despite attaining international success, the trap artist has always stayed true to his roots. In every star-studded feature, music video, or performance, he’s been vocal about his close connection to Italy, dedicating his journey to the local fans who have supported him along the way. His new Timberland collaboration is no exception, recently sharing that “every detail of this limited edition drop was created with [my] community in mind.”
Following on from their debut collaboration, the artist continues to be hands-on in the boots’ design process. This drop features an alternatively dark, metallic look overlaid with a crackle effect, while on the toebox, a hand-applied airbrush spray, reminiscent of New York’s street art culture, tapers into the heavyweight sole, adding another layer of texture. Like hip-hop artists before him, he’s introduced elements of his eccentric style to the boot with a bejeweled SE emblem adorning the lace tag.
Ahead of the release, Timberland handed out pairs of the artist’s collab at the heart of Cinisello Balsamo. In yet another moment of giving back to his fans, the event became a community affair with hundreds of fans turning out to get their hands on his latest creative project.
Hypebeast caught up with Sfera Ebbasta days before the event to reflect on the new collaboration and why it proves to be his most iconic yet.
Timberland
Timberland
Timberland
Timberland
Hypebeast: Your latest Timberland collab is packed with handcrafted finishes and hidden details. Which features stand out as your favorite?
Sfera Ebbasta: Surely, it’s the cracks on the shoe that we kept from the previous collab. They make every pair unique, and the new silver spray-paint effect really makes the shoe iconic. Of course, there are also all the different details, like the laces. We had so many options, but I picked the ones that matched perfectly to create a complete look.
How did you approach the design, and in what ways has the process been different from your previous collab?
For this drop, we used a black boot as the base, so the focus was more on finding an effect and a color that would make them stand out. In my opinion, the silver shade we went with hits hard and makes them instantly recognizable. It’s a color I use a lot, and it also represents the city, the streets.
Timberland has a diverse heritage, from its links with hip-hop culture to contemporary street style, but what does the brand symbolize to you?
Like I’ve said before, Timberland is an iconic brand. I still remember buying my first pair like it was yesterday. Over the years, some of the biggest artists have worn the boots, and like them, I’ve worn the boots during some really important moments in my career too.
“The fans have supported me since day one, and I feel like it’s important to keep reminding them that they can achieve anything…”
With a constantly evolving signature style, how do you feel your values align with Timberland?
When it comes to authenticity and innovation, we’ve for sure got a lot in common. I’m always trying to level up and keep doing better.
Why is it important to encourage your community to express themselves through music and fashion?
Because music and fashion are what I love, it’s how I express myself. It’s amazing to see young people also finding something they can truly be passionate about.
This week, Timberland will be giving out your new drop in Cinisello Balsamo. How are you popping up in your hometown?
Cinisello Balsamo is where I grew up. The fans have supported me since day one, and I feel like it’s important to keep reminding them that they can achieve anything if they truly believe in it.
What other projects or releases can fans expect from you next?
No spoilers.
Find out more about the Sfera Ebbasta x Timberland Limited Edition Boot on Instagram now.
