1. Nek is popular in Italy and throughout the Spanish-speaking world, and has performed and released most of his albums in both Italian and Spanish.
15 Facts About Nek
1. 2.
Nek first gained international success in 1997, when he took part in the Sanremo Music Festival in the Big Artists section, and although he didn't win, the song "Laura non c'e" went on to become his international breakthrough as it became a major hit in Europe and Latin America that year, as well the release of his fourth and million-selling album Lei, gli amici e tutto il resto, which was his first album to be recorded in the Spanish language.
3.
Nek began playing drums, bass and guitar at nine years of age.
4.
Nek was especially influenced by country musicians like John Denver, and later Sting.
5.
Nek commented how his previous inexperience and the search for musical identity, and when switched labels, the change of musical style from traditional Italian pop to more Anglo pop rock sound, resulted in his sudden success.
6.
On 23 November 2006, Nek released his ninth album Nella stanza 26 peaked at number five in Italy and Switzerland, and again sold over 200,000 copies.
7.
In 2007, for the song "Nella stanza 26" Nek received the prestigious Lunezia "Poesia del Rock" award, and performed at the Wind Music Awards, in Via della Conciliazione, Rome.
8.
In 2008 Nek recorded a duet of "Walking Away" with Craig David, which was included in the Greatest Hits of the British artist.
9.
On 30 January 2009 Nek released Un'altra direzione, his tenth album which contains 12 new originals plus "Walking Away", and preceded by the single "La voglia che non-vorrei", is his first album to top the album charts.
10.
In October 2011, Nek sang duet with L'Aura in a re-release of her song named "Eclissi del cuore", the Italian version of the 80's power ballad "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler.
11.
In 2014, Nek received the Lunezia award in the "Pop Rock" category for the album due to musical-literary value.
12.
In 2014, Nek received the "Tributo ad Augusto," award given every year to the artist who is distinguished by his artistic and social activity.
13.
In February 2015, Nek participated at the 65th Sanremo Music Festival, where with the song "Fatti avanti amore" he finished in second place.
14.
In 2016, Nek was a coach in the 15th edition of the talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi.
15.
Nek competed in the Sanremo Music Festival 2024 alongside Francesco Renga with "Pazzo di te".