AC Milan's Portuguese left-winger Rafael Leao has granted an interview to Rollingstone as he discussed his passion for the rap music among other things. Here are his statements:
"There was always music in my house growing up, my uncle was a DJ and my father used to sing too. Like everything around me was about music, so it really just came from there. It was always hip-hop I’d listen to, and I could relate to the message they’d put across about growing up in the hood."
On the inspiration of becoming a rapper:
"I always wanted to do something in music and I find it really allows me to express myself because I’m shy. I’m a shy person and I don’t always show my emotions and my feelings. But through the music I can do that, and it’s just like another world for me."
Does it provide respite away from the pressures of playing for AC Milan?
"Yeah, now it’s like a hobby for me. My manager Leandro created a label and now I’m trying to find new artists and bring them to the label to create something great, because there’s a lot of musical talent in Portugal. But they can’t go to the studio because they don’t have that opportunity and the money to do so. We want to create the space that will give them an opportunity."
You’ve got your second album My Life In Each Verse coming out later this year. Is there a message you want listeners to take from it?
"Yeah, for two or three songs I’ll talk about me and my life so they get to know who I am. Because I was a kid in a hoodie from a small town with a dream who somehow became a superstar. When I was struggling I didn’t think this would happen."
Leao on if he played his music to his teammates at AC Milan:
"Yes, they’ve heard it! Some have laughed at it, but others have been more supportive."
Who laughed at your music?
"Zlatan Ibrahimovic laughed at it. He laughed at it and told me to focus on football instead! But the rest have told me to keep going and doing my thing."
Is there any other footballers in the AC Milan squad who might be decent rappers?
"Nah, I don’t think so!"
Leao, how do you find the time to record your music?
"I’ve managed to create a little studio at home, I’ve bought a few things like a mic, I have my Macbook and speakers too. I can record by myself and then mix my voice too. It’s a good set-up."
If you had to choose between football and rap?
"Football, of course! It’s given me a lot and I love it, it just has to be."
