From the misty corners of Olympia, WA to the gritty streets of Tulsa, OK, emerges a raw and unfiltered voice in hip-hop: FA$TARELLI. Michael Hamm—better known by his stage name—isn’t new to the game, but he’s returning with a vengeance. His latest album, Back Again, set to drop July 4, 2025, marks a triumphant return after an 18-year hiatus. It’s not just an album—it’s a survival letter, a war cry, and a deeply personal autobiography.
FA$TARELLI’s roots run deep in the soil of West Coast legends. With influences like Spice 1, E-40, Tupac, Scarface, and Mac Dre, his sound is a lyrical fusion of vintage Bay Area game and modern rawness. But don’t box him in—he’s 110% original. His rhyme schemes are intricate, his voice unmistakably his own, and his storytelling cuts through the noise with a blade sharpened by life’s hardest lessons.
The creative process for FA$TARELLI starts with the beat—it sets the tone, the mood, the direction. From slick street sermons to tales of real-life grit, each verse is a reflection of moments lived and lessons learned. Themes in his music range from player talk to harsh street survival, always with a message underneath: resilience, growth, and warning. “We can coexist,” he says, “but if attacked, I will END it.”
Back Again isn’t just a title—it’s a statement. Featuring voices from hip-hop’s elite like Nipsey Hussle, Nate Dogg, Mac Dre, and C-BO, this album brings legends into the fold of FA$TARELLI’s journey. The project feels like a resurrection—his own therapy turned into legacy.
Beyond the bars, Michael’s story is one of survival: from beating terminal cancer to enduring prison at just 16. These aren’t lyrics for shock value—they’re journal entries from a life most wouldn’t survive. And while he admits to struggling with social media as an introvert, what he lacks in online presence, he makes up for in brutal honesty and authenticity.
He’s not chasing clout or careers—he’s making music that he wants to ride to. That alone is refreshing. “I’m my own biggest fan,” he laughs, and with good reason.
Check out his new single off the Back Again album here:
Listen on Spotify
Follow him on Instagram @fastarelli
This isn’t just a comeback. It’s FA$TARELLI’s time to remind the world that real ones never left—they just waited for the right beat.
