G-Farmerz is a production duo that has made significant progress in Italian rap, carving out a well-deserved spot as one of the most exciting names in Italian hip-hop. Dave and Mella aren’t exactly young guns, but they are somehow fresher than thou.

With a mellow and genuine sound, their beats often lean on jazzy, swinging grooves, creating the perfect backdrop for some of the freshest talents in Italy’s underground scene. Their work has been instrumental in shaping the sonic identity of artists like Pepe Nocciola, Sebini The Bini, and now also the Superfluido collective.

Their raw, sample-based production style reflects a deep love for hip-hop’s roots, while not disdaining a contemporary approach. We had the pleasure of sitting down with G-Farmerz to discuss their journey, creative process, and what’s next for this dynamic duo. If you haven’t heard of them yet, that’s a great opportunity to give a shot to the finest in charge.

Hey G-Farmerz, happy to have you with us, and welcome to Production Specs. Would you like to introduce yourselves to our readers?

G-Farmerz: Hello! We are Dave and Mella, a beat-making duo from Cuneo. We’re currently based in Barcelona and Mondovì, but we go by the name G-Farmerz. We love creating sample-based beats with a raw, gritty flavour and rough chops.

When did you start making music? What were your inspirations at the beginning?

Mella: I started experimenting with beats in the early 2000s, but it wasn’t until 2010 that I began to take it seriously and bought my first MPC.

Dave: I started around the same time as Mella. Back then, I was rapping and needed beats, so I began making my own. My longtime friend Alberto, aka DJ Nollie Nox, already had an MPC and taught me the basics. After that, I was hooked and never stopped making beats—it completely overtook my MC aspirations.

What was the first beat you ever sold or placed commercially?

Mella: I’ve always made beats for myself and my friends, focusing on perfecting my craft. I kept a low profile for a long time until I started producing for Dave, Pepe, and Sebastiano for their solo projects. The first big project I worked on was Bar Sport by Gentle T in 2023.

Dave: The first MC besides myself who used one of my beats was Sebastiano Contrario.

How long did it take to produce something you were genuinely proud of?

Dave: I used to be very critical of my work until artists I respected started to appreciate my journey.

Mella: It took me a long time! As I mentioned, I stayed behind the scenes for years to develop my style and fully understand this beautiful art form. I’d say it took about 5–6 years.

What’s your favourite production setup?

Dave: I’ve found a balance between samplers and a Digital Audio Workstation. Right now, I’m using an MPC1000 and SP404 for the raw work. Once that’s done, I polish everything in Fruity Loops Studio.

Mella: I like to keep it simple. An Akai MPC and a pair of speakers are all I need. Now that I have an MPC X, I’ve got everything I need in one machine—DAW included—and it’s amazing.

G-Farmerz feels like a production collective. How do you ensure your music meets the “G-Farmerz” standard?

Mella: We’re a duo, but we don’t co-produce beats—each of us works individually. However, since we’ve been friends for so long and share similar musical tastes, it’s easy to maintain a consistent “trademark” sound. We never reveal who made a specific beat—it’s simply a G-Farmerz beat, and that’s all that matters! This also inspires us to push each other. When Dave shows me a new beat, I think, “Damn, now I need to step up my game!”

Dave: Exactly. Since we come from the same area, our sound naturally reflects the roughness of our roots.

Do you go digging for records? Any funny stories about digging?

Dave: Yes, I do! I usually look for cheap finds in second-hand shops and dodgy record stores. Of course, the internet has everything you could want, too.

Mella: Absolutely! Whenever I have the time and money, I head to my favourite record store in Barcelona to dig through dusty old records. We also dig online—I won’t lie! The “vinyl-only” era is over.

I don’t have any funny stories, but I have a great memory of digging at the famous Amoeba store in San Francisco. That place is massive!

What’s the best digging advice you’ve ever received?

Dave: I can’t recall any good advice I’ve been given, but here’s mine: Before heading to fancy record stores, start digging close to home. Clean out your parents’ basement or ask friends and family about abandoned crates of records.

Mella: This wasn’t told to me personally, but Alchemist once said, “If there’s a naked girl on the cover and it’s from the ’70s, the record is fire.” And honestly, he’s right 98% of the time!

What’s the worst production mistake you’ve ever made?

Dave: Selling fire beats to a random guy who turned out to be a total jerk.

Mella: Making a producer album before I was ready. I regret the decision, the beat selection—everything about it. I also regret buying synths that I ended up reselling because they weren’t a good fit for me.

What’s one essential mixing tip?

Dave: Find a good sound engineer.

Mella: Use your ears and forget about rigid “rules” or dogmas.

What can we expect from you soon?

Mella: We’re super productive right now and have a few major projects coming up with artists we love from all over Italy. We can’t reveal much yet, but we’re excited for you to hear the results!

Dave: There’s also a beat tape in the works, but I can’t share any details about that just yet.

Any final words for the readers?

Dave: Don’t try to sound like someone else. Put your own story into your music — it makes it unique and inimitable.

Mella: Be patient and let things happen naturally. If you’re good at what you do and put in your best effort, people will recognize it. Don’t force it!