Raffaele Riefoli, better known as RAF, is an Italian singer and songwriter. To whom we owe one of the most emblematic titles of the 80s, in particular for having ignited all the Dancefloors of the time, namely the huge "Self Control", Single released in 1984. Piece which will be taken up with as much success by Laura Branigan the same year. Artist mainly known for this title on a planetary level, he will also participate in Eurovision in 1987 in duet with Umberto Tozzi where they will finish in a very honorable 3rd position.
Which will not subsequently prevent him from continuing the adventure and producing albums of significant quality...
To discover or rediscover...
Discography (among others ...) :
80s Decade :
• Self Control 1984
• I don't want to lose you 1985
• Change your mind 1985
• Hard 1986
• London town 1987
• Gente di mare 1987
• Inevitabile follia 1988
• Svegliarsi un anno fa 1988
• Cosa restera degli anni '80' 1989
• Ti Pretendo 1989
90s Decade :
• Interminatamente 1991
• Oggi un dio non ho 1991
• Senza respiro 1991
• Siamo soli nell'immenso vuoto che c'è 1991
• Anche tu 1991
• Il battito animale 1993
• Due 1993
• Stai con me 1994
• Sei la plu bella del mundo 1995
• Dentro ai tuoi occhi 1995
• E' quasi l'alba 1995
• Un grande salto 1996
• Vita, storie e pensieri di un alieno 1998
• Il primo uomo 1998
• La danza della pioggia 1999
2000s Decade :
• Infinito 2001
• R4 2001
• Oasi 2001
• In tutti i miei giorni 2004
• Superstiti 2004
• Estate in citta 2004 • Salta piu alto 2006
• Dimentica 2006
• Passeggeri distratti 2006
• Onde 2006
• Ossigeno 2008
• Non e' mai un errore 2008
• Ballo 2009
• Per tutto il tempo 2009
2010s Decade :
• Senza cielo 2011
• Un'emozione inaspettata 2011
• Controsenso 2011
• Le ragioni del cuore 2012
• In questa notte 2012
• Show me the way to heaven 2014
• Eclissi totale 2015
• Rimani tu 2015
• Come una favola 2015
• Arcobaleni 2015
• Come una danza 2018
• Samurai 2019
2020s Decade :
• Liberi 2020
• Cherie 2022
• 80 voglia di te 2023
Tracks :
1984 ... the intergalactic hit that will reveal him. In the first title, he simply signs here one of the biggest Dance hits of the decade. A HUGE title which makes him enter One shot in the musical legend of the 80s. MAS-TER-FUL !
1985 ... a quality suite that cannot compete with the previous road roller as the bar is high ...
1985 ... a title that went somewhat unnoticed but which deserved recognition far superior to what it was
1986 ... a trendy sound and a style that is not less, everything to please what. Unfortunately, some titles will go completely under the radars. Including this ...
1987 ... the years go by without the melodic quality weakening by an Iota. Talented boy, there's nothing to say !
1987 ... a fantastic Dream Team version duo which will finish in a very nice 3rd place. Well done gentlemen !
1988 ... back to basics with this magnificent ballad this time in Italian fashion and especially in Italian language. MA-GIC simply !
1988 ... in the same vein. After the mega Dance hits, RAF is refocusing on the Intimist register in which it is not bad either ... to say the least !
1989 ... the end of the decade which once again combines in intimate mode. A field he explores and re-explores and re-explores. To our greatest delight !
1989 ... his 2nd biggest hit. He once again confirms its status as "heavyweight" of the Italian music scene of the 80s. HU-GE !
1991 ... change of decade and still as effective on ballads, it's a constant with him !
1991 ... listen to that, decidedly, the Italians are really among the best romantic ballads
1991 ... a BIG year 1991 with a plethora of titles and quality on all floors. Admittedly, he hardly leaves the intimate domain but who would be angry with him !
1991 ... a return to Dance mode which feels good. He excels in the Intimist domain but too much Intimist kills the Intimist. A little rhythm does not kill, on the contrary ...
1991 ... when 2 of the biggest sizes of the moment on the Italian side push the song together, the result is necessarily up to par. The proof !
1993 ... almost a decade at the top, Made in Italia of very high quality. A longevity that he owes only to himself, or more precisely to an undeniable artist talent !
1993 ... his last notorious hit of the 90s. During this decade, there will be quantity but the quality will fluctuate quite a bit between each song. This one will therefore be one of the good surprises !
1994 ... a knowledge in the Intimist domain which crosses the years and especially the decades with obvious ease. He delivers here a new title of any beauty which shows once again all the extent of his talent in this field...
1995...a second part of the 90s a little more complicated to manage than expected unfortunately with a level of success in free fall on the Singles side...
1995...fortunately the level of success of the albums remains stable, allowing him to stay afloat. Let's hope it lasts...
1995...we're not going to lie, the best years are now behind him. But what he continues to offer is far from devoid of interest, that much is clear...
1996...once again the proof with this title ! Even though the years go by, he retains a talent that is more than intact, which allows him to continue to produce titles of more than certain quality...
1998...an adventure which continues quietly and above all serenely. Certainly we are far from the level of success of the previous decade but it doesn't matter...
1998...the important thing is that he continues to believe in it and the next decade will clearly show that he has absolutely no intention of stopping there...
1999 ... the 1980s saw it literally explode on the international scene, the 1990s unfortunately saw it gradually disappear from radars. Tough law of the trade as they say. But the adventure is far from over ...
2001...here he is again 2 years later with the firm intention of going as far as possible. A desire to believe in it until the end which undoubtedly commands respect...
2001...the start of the 2000s which saw him obtain one of his best rankings, at least on the Album Charts side. That's at least that...
2001...so it was worth it to continue the adventure a little longer. It is clear that in music nothing is ever finished so we might as well go as far as possible...
2004...since the start of the decade went rather well, he said to himself that it was well worth it to start again. A daring bet but a winning bet regardless...
2004...given the level of success achieved by the albums it is certain that he still has a very substantial base of basic fans. And so much the better somewhere...
2004...this can only motivate him to continue the adventure and in principle who would blame him, no one of course. To be continued...
2006...not only does the adventure continue but the level of productivity remains impressive to say the least. What ask for more...
2006...he's been there for more than 20 years, which is no small thing. An exceptional longevity for one of the most gifted artists of his generation obviously...
2006...you don't last like that if you don't have more than certain talent. And regarding him, there has always been talent...
2006...his level of popularity in Italy remains high and this reassures him to the highest degree that he will continue the adventure a little longer...
2008...a decade of the 2000s which saw him stay afloat without any difficulties thanks to the production of several albums of obvious quality...
2008...what also made its strength is this ability to adapt to the latest musical trends of the moment. A detail of crucial importance for a career to last...
2009...it now remains to be seen whether we will see him again next decade or not. Knowing him, it would be surprising if he left it there...
2009...in any case this decade was one of the most favorable for him and this shows that it would be a shame not to attempt the transition to the next decade...
2011...that's what he said at first glance because here he is again. In any case, each new opus that comes out necessarily delights its basic fans, that's for sure...
2011...Italy continues to support him massively and this reassures him to the highest degree once again. Might as well enjoy it for as long as possible...
2011...he will have gone through the 80s, then the 90s, then the 2000s and here he is at the very beginning of the 2010s with the firm intention of not giving up as usual...
2012...who could have imagined in 1984 that he would still be here 28 years later, not many people that's for sure ! And yet he is indeed there...
2012...he impresses decade after decade with his ability to stay connected to the musical world around him. Hence the fact that he necessarily lasts...
2014...exceptionally we find him in English as in its beginnings. The result in the Charts will not really be the same unfortunately...
2015...he will have produced 4 albums during the previous decade, we are already at 2 during this new decade. Really amazing...
2015...a career led masterfully and which leaves nothing to chance. A model that younger generations should definitely take inspiration from, that’s for sure...
2015...because you don't last that long if you aren't able to understand the world around you. Something he masters perfectly at first glance...
2015...there are a few Italian singers who have been able, like him, to resist the wear and tear of time and fashion. But certainly not ten in any case...
2018...in the end he will have produced fewer albums during this 2010 decade than during the previous decade but nothing worrying at this stage in any case...
2019...so last decade or not ? Knowing him, it would be very surprising if we didn't find him again in the following decade, that's for sure...
2020...as expected, he is back at the very beginning of the 2020 decade. Especially since he will feel a little less alone because more and more artists of his time have decided to come back in their turn...
2022...5 decades of career under the clock, it's starting to do as they say ! Only the best will have lasted this long...
2023...and it's not over ! It's hard to imagine that this title is the last and we inevitably imagine that he will inevitably come back later...
Wiki :
Official Website :
Greatest Hits :
Discography :