Cangianiello, known as Canja, is an artist whose music seamlessly blends diverse cultures with deep-rooted heritage. Born in the province of Salerno in Southern Italy, Canja brings together his Calabrian and Neapolitan roots with the values of his Evangelical upbringing and life between Lazio and Calabria, forging a unique musical voice.
These multiple facets converge in “Floor,” his debut single, in alignment with the Wax Moon, a symbol of growth, illumination, and transformation. The track serves as the first glimpse of his upcoming debut album, Yelè, set to release later in 2026.
Canja’s international journey began in Brazil, where he collaborated with renowned percussionists from Bahia, including Neney Santos, Dede Reis, the Dum & Joe Twins, and Anderson Souza, many of them historic members of Olodum and Timbalada, and immersed himself in the rituals of Candomblé. This transformative experience allowed him to internalize and masterfully convey the essence of sacred chants, translating their spirit into his drumming.
He contributed to Neney Santos’ recordings, collaborating with James Senese and Mexican drummer Israel Varela. On stage, alongside Neney Santos, he performed with Mario Venuti, Rosalia De Souza, Claudia Mars, and Fabiana Martone of Nu Genea. He also joined the tour of mandolinist Mimmo Epifani, performing with guitarist Michele Ascolese, longtime member of PFM.
Additional percussive influences essential to Yelè stem from collaborations with masters such as Karl Potter, Tony Esposito, Ismailà Mbayè, and one of Italy’s leading flamenco guitarists, Daniele Bonaviri.
Later to follow, a world tour with Moroccan artist Meryem Aboulouafa and composer Francesco Santalucia, took Canja to major international stages, including the Marrakesh Festival and the prestigious Jazzablanca Festival, North Africa’s most significant music festival. The tour concluded in Indonesia, where he collaborated with pianist Nita Aartsen, completing a transformative global musical journey.
With his debut single, “Floor,” Canja invites listeners into a sonic world shaped by heritage, ritual, and innovation, a prelude to the full journey of Yelè, where rhythms, cultures, and personal stories converge into a truly unique musical expression.
With his debut single, “Floor,” out now, we took some time to hear from Canja. Read below to learn more about Canja, the story behind “Floor,” and what’s to come.
Hi Canja! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
My artistic name comes from a shortened version of my surname — that’s how it originated and how my friends have always called me. Changing the “j” to “gi” was just a way to make it more direct.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I was born in Scafati, in the province of Salerno, and grew up between a small town in the Vibo Valentia area in Calabria and another small town in the province of Latina. Today, I live in the town Terracina, which also in the province of Latina.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I’ve been playing music since I was a child — at the age of 8 years old, I was already playing in Evangelical services as a self-taught musician. I started taking it seriously around the age of 22, and at 27, I did my first professional tour.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
Sound is all about emotion — I love the depth of harmonics. I would describe it as deep and impactful.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I like fixing anything that’s broken! Since my son was born, I haven’t really had time for hobbies, but I love driving anything that moves — from cars to skateboards, from snowboards to bikes. I’m also curious about anything new to me.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
I think my influences come from my work experiences. I don’t have a particular attachment to a specific genre — I’m strongly drawn to whatever moves me emotionally.
What is your dream collaboration?
The dream has already come true! It may sound simple, but being recognized for who I truly am through my music is everything. My dream is that more people around the world will begin to listen to and understand true art. As for dream collaborations — I’ll let destiny decide.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
Crossing the ocean on tour with Meryem Aboulouafa, as well as my trip to Brazil, and my immersion in Afro-Brazilian sacred rituals, were key experiences — I now realize how much I’ve drawn from them.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
The best lessons have come from experiencing different cultures through travel and absorbing local traditions, which has given me a deeper awareness of my own existence.
Now onto your release, “Floor.” What inspired “Floor?”
“Floor” wasn’t born from a specific moment, but from a period when music became a form of therapy out of necessity.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “Floor?”
The single’s cover comes from the short film, symbolizing walking hand in hand with the child within me — represented by my son — toward the light.
What was the creative process like when making “Floor?”
The creative process was fueled by a strong energy, starting from the main drum groove, which opened the way to what would become “Floor.” This track was born from dreaming of being free.
How long did it take to complete “Floor?”
“Floor” was one of the tracks conceived during a moment of great inspiration — it was autumn, and I created it in one afternoon.
How did the music video for “Floor” come about? What was your vision for the video?
The forest where the video was shot is the place where I always take my son for picnics — a symbolic place for our relationship. It was very natural to turn a moment of exploration and play into a video shoot.
What do you hope fans take away from “Floor” and your music in general?
The message of “Floor” is hope for those going through painful moments with no apparent way out. The project as a whole, invites listeners to look within themselves and begin an introspective journey toward self-awareness.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
There will be live shows planned, but right now, I want to enjoy the present — which means finishing my second album and releasing all the work I’ve done. I’m also collaborating as a featured artist on other projects.
Where can we follow you on social media?
https://www.instagram.com/_canja__
https://www.facebook.com/canja82
https://youtube.com/@canja_art
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
