Ultimo: The Italian Pop Sensation
Ultimo is the stage name of Niccolò Moriconi, a singer-songwriter who has become one of Italy's most successful contemporary pop artists. Hailing from Rome, he achieved a historic chart feat by occupying the top three positions on the Italian Singles Chart simultaneously in 2018.
Early career
Born in 1994, Niccolò Moriconi began writing poetry and playing piano as a teenager, adopting the moniker Ultimo to represent the "last" of a sincere kind of songwriter. His first major step came in 2016 when he participated in the "Nuove Proposte" section of the Sanremo Music Festival, a traditional launchpad for Italian talent, with the song "Il Giardino Degli Specchi".
Breakthrough
Ultimo's true national breakthrough arrived in 2018 with his debut album Peter Pan, released on the independent label Honiro Label. The album debuted at number one in Italy and was certified multi-platinum, fueled by the massive success of its singles which dominated radio airplay and streaming platforms throughout the year.
Key tracks
Ti Dedico Il Silenzio — This ballad showcased his emotive vocal delivery and poetic lyrics, becoming an early fan favorite.
Poesia Senza Velí — The song that secured his victory in the "Nuove Proposte" category at Sanremo 2017, introducing his style to a wide audience.
Sabbie Mobili — A key track from his debut album that exemplifies his blend of piano-driven melody and introspective, narrative songwriting.
Piccola Stella — This 2018 single exemplified his hit-making formula, achieving diamond certification in Italy for massive sales and streams.
22 Sep — A deeply personal and popular track that highlights his connection with a loyal fanbase through raw, diary-like lyrics.
His follow-up albums, Colpa Delle Favole (2019) and Solo (2021), both debuted at number one, confirming his consistent commercial power. Ultimo has maintained his independent path, collaborating with artists like Emma Marrone and building a reputation for intense, sold-out arena tours that emphasize a direct connection with his audience.
Fans of Ultimo's melodic, lyric-focused Italian pop might also enjoy Marco Mengoni, another powerful vocalist who blends pop with soulful influences. The introspective songwriting of Francesco Gabbani offers a similarly thoughtful, if more eclectic, approach. For another example of modern Italian pop with massive chart success, explore Maneskin, who share a rock-infused energy. The emotive ballads of Elodie also resonate within the same contemporary landscape.
Ultimo's catalog receives frequent rotation across a variety of Italian pop and adult contemporary FM stations, as well as on dedicated online radio streams that focus on modern European hits. His anthemic ballads and relatable stories make him a staple on playlists designed for melodic, vocal-driven music.
Listeners can discover the heartfelt music of Ultimo through the Italian pop and contemporary hit radio stations featured on onairium.com, where his chart-topping songs are regularly broadcast.
