Sardinian-style reggae resonates on the stage of "Zelig." After the first winter edition in 2026 with Claudio Bisio and Vanessa Incontrada, Forelock, stage name of 38-year-old Alfredo Puglia, is once again among the stars of four new episodes of the historic Canale 5 program. This special edition, airing in early October, celebrates its thirtieth anniversary with a parade of comedy greats, including Raul Cremona, Antonio Albanese, Diego Abatantuono, Angela Finocchiaro, Max Giusti, Claudio Batta, and Paolo Rossi. Hosted by Michelle Hunziker and the duo Ale and Franz. "It's like scoring a goal at the San Siro," the Sassari-born singer explains on "Zelig" thanks to his partnership with trumpeter Roy Paci, with whom he has been collaborating for two years. After training in classical music and African tradition, Forelock has found his true calling in Jamaican reggae, but always with a constant reference to his native Sardinia. Today he lives in Porto Torres ("Even though I travel almost every week"), organizes festivals in the area, prepares new album releases and with Inna One Vibe, the project shared with Mellow Mood, Lion D and Kg Man, he is expected in Italian clubs and on stages in Chile, India and Costa Rica.

Forelock, what does it feel like to find yourself on “Zelig”?

"In high school, I never missed a single episode. Today, being side by side with the heroes of my youth is incredible. They're all down-to-earth people, and we immediately felt like a team, focused on making the show work, each with their own skills."

From a concert stage to a TV show: what's the difference?

"Not too much, there's room for improvisation there too. In our segments, there's no director telling you yes or no: you just do your job. We set the pace for the show, alternating music with comedy, and the audience is easily turned on."

Your collaboration with Roy Paci has lasted about two years and has already led to around a hundred concerts. How did it begin?

My first gig with the band was opening for one of his shows. Roy didn't remember me; I was the keyboard player, and when he was looking for someone like me years later, they mentioned my name. He thought I lived in Jamaica: 'From Sardinia to Jamaica, it's not much different in terms of flights,' I told him. A couple of shows to get along, and from then on, time flew by.

He left Sassari, lived in Bologna, and then chose to return. Why?

Outside Sardinia, you have access to unparalleled logistical simplicity. From Bologna, I could take a train to get anywhere quickly. Growing up, however, I struggled to stay away from home. I needed the sea, that healing air, my friends, my loved ones. I took advantage of Covid, convinced I would leave again. That didn't happen. Sardinians have a bond with the island that goes beyond the physical, something that belongs to another world.

Reggae was born far from here, yet Sardinia is a constant presence in your songs. How did these two worlds meet?

At first, I felt bad about choosing music that didn't belong to me. But as I studied and delved deeper into reggae, I realized how many similarities there were. Jamaica is an island, for starters; the relationships are very close with those inside and less so with those outside. And then there are the social issues, the demands for unity and freedom. So I found my compromise: in reggae style, I tell stories that belong to the place where I was born and raised.

In an increasingly divided world, what message would you like to convey through your music?

I insist on the need to go beyond the surface and delve deeper. We live in a very complicated world, and simplifying it divides us into categories, so let's sit down and find a solution together. It's an idea that easily resonates, because wherever upbeat music plays, people feel good: trends come and go, but despite useless and outdated stereotypes, reggae endures.

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