The Soundroutes Bootcamp transforms the city into a collective laboratory of hip hop and resistance
From 10 to 14 June 2025, Rome became the beating heart of a musical and political revolution: the International Bootcamp of Soundroutes, organised by A Sud – Ecologia e Cooperazione APS at ÀP – Antimafia Pop Academy.
Five days of writing, production and performance brought together 23 artists from Italy, Belgium, Greece, Spain and Mexico, led by rapper and activist Francesco “Kento” Carlo, with the support of Stefano Campetta, Matteo Cerasoli and Martina Leigheb.
Writing for change: the political language of rap
The Bootcamp alternated between writing and beatmaking workshops, moments of collective reflection and urban activities, transforming hip hop into a space for non-formal education, discussion and solidarity.
The days began with brainstorming sessions on the themes of climate justice, anti-racism and social equity, followed by the creation of original lyrics and beats.
In the afternoons, participants worked in the studio recording the tracks, while in the evenings the city opened up as a living backdrop: a street art tour in Pigneto, a visit to the Ex Snia social centre and a poetry slam night at the Tram Depot made Rome an integral part of the creative process.
A stage for the voices of change
The Bootcamp ended with a public concert at the “Estate al Torrione” festival, preceded by a talk on “Music and Activism”. On stage, the two collective tracks — Unity and Diversity — gave substance and voice to the project’s message: making music to build community.
The performance became a meeting point between the new generations and the Roman hip hop scene, in an intergenerational exchange that overcame linguistic and cultural barriers.
🎧 The video clip of the songs, available on YouTube (link), recounts the most intense moments of the workshop — between microphones, streets and smiles — reflecting the collective strength of those who use music to resist.
Beyond the workshop: building community
The Roman journey confirmed the power of hip hop as a tool for political education, cultural exchange and personal emancipation.
Among the most significant results were the birth of new artistic collaborations and the idea, proposed by a participant from Calabria, to organise a music camp inspired by Soundroutes in his city in 2026.
Despite the logistical difficulties of a metropolis like Rome, the Bootcamp demonstrated that culture can be an act of resistance: a collective practice that combines art, education and social justice.
As one of the participants wrote in her final feedback:
‘This bootcamp has made me a more confident person. It reminded me that music is not just sound, but a way to change the world, together.’
