Danny Lampo talks about his support for Chelsea and life as a footballer before he became full time musician

Danny Lampo had a big year. Breaking through and taking his stage by storm, he recently came back into football for a one-off special tournament with Reading FC, probably due to his friendship with Ghana Black Star player Baba.

We spoke to him about life off the mic where football runs riot.

Let’s talk about those first memories of football, when did you fall in love with the game?

“From young, my family were all into music, but I loved football, back home I played for Parma FC academy, it was really good we used to play against teams like Intern Milan, Ac Milan, and Juventus it was a great experience unfortunately at the age of 17 I was sold to a Serie C (third tier) team and things did not pick up anymore professionally. As matter of fact, me and Caleb Ekuban grew up together and went to church together, I still remember, we both blown out from our local teams at the age of 13 we both had some many teams interested in us, he chose to go Ac Chievo Verona and I chose Fc Parma both in Serie A at the time. Ekuban went ahead and made it I still speak to him and very proud of him.

"Also I used to play football games o seen the PlayStation, even before ‘PES’ (Pro Evolution Soccer), there was a mad one I used to play… ‘ISS’. Before it was called Pro-Evo it was called International Superstar Soccer. I used to play that. I loved that.”

What was it that led you to Chelsea and made you a fan of the club?

“It’s the family team. My older cousin’s got me into Chelsea and I got to attached to the club through them when I was little and ever since, they’ve been my team. I still hold them close to me now.” I can never support the Red teams, Man United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

"Football has changed a lot since the days of Cantona, Beckham, Scholes etc… What would you say is your favorite era as a Chelsea fan?

“Drogba, Mata and Michael Essien. No formation up front, just imagine having all of those players on the pitch at the same time. I’d say that’s my favorite era. I remember a time when we scored four goals for five or six games in a row. We had a crazy style back then.”

Danny Lampo
Going back to those earlier football memories—have you always been into football kits and all those things that come with supporting a team?

“I’ve always been into the kits, yeah. I was big into the football computer games and was quite specific when it came to updating the kits on the games. I always wanted that to show the latest kits that the players were wearing, but overall, yeah. Football kits are special, and I’ve always been into that side of the game.”

"Music and football seem to be crossing paths more than ever these days, especially in the UK scene, is that something you get excited to see?

“Definitely. For me, they’re two of my favorite things, music, and football, so it’s great to see that happening.”

Where do you think the crossover with the UK music scene comes from, with many players showing up in lyrics at the moment?

“It’s a good question. I think a lot of footballers are into the music that is around right now and many musicians are into the football that is going on right now, so, naturally, there’s a healthy crossover and respect for what each other is doing. It’s back and forth, and the two cultures are kind of slowly becoming one, recently when Frank Naro was around we went to play football few times, we had a great time.

Football shirts are worn as a fashion accessory now, is that something you’ve seen more of?

“I’ve done that a few times and yeah, I’ve noticed that happening, certainly. They work significantly better with current styles than they may have done in the past. It’s a good look right now.”

Do you think Football is almost taking the space NBA shirts did a decade or so ago?

“I don’t really know too much about NBA jerseys, but yeah, I can see the comparison, being worn as lifestyle items rather than just to play in.”

"How about you personally and your football shirt collections as you’ve grown up? Do you wear them and collect them now?

“I’ve got quite a lot of Chelsea, Man city and Inter Milan shirts yeah, even the last couple of seasons, I’ve got the three from this season and the three from last season. Every opportunity to get a Chelsea kit, I’ll take it. They’re my thing still.

"Who are the players out there you think are showing a creative side to their characters these days? Anyone you think brings a strong style on and off the pitch?

“I like Kante a lot, you know? I like the way he carries himself and the way he plays the game. He is casual and relaxed, and he makes the game fun still. He’s obviously professional, but he shows a lot more character and personality out on the pitch, and we need that.”

Thinking of yourself as a fan, are there any players you’d like to meet that you idolized over the years?

“Obviously, for me, it’s always about the Chelsea players. I’d love to meet the current whole squad but then, of all time, players like Drogba. He’s easily one of my favorite players ever. He’s a genuine legend and a hero.”

How much do you see your stage as your football pitch for you to go and perform?

“I’d say I’d treat it like stoppage time. There are loads of energy, everyone is pushing to get something out of the game, so I’d say it’s more about that kind of energy.”

How about where on pitch style is concerned, do you think the game is in a better place now than it has ever been?

“I feel like the game is really different around the world but in the UK, it feels like the energy is high throughout most of the matches. It means you can watch more football, regardless of who is playing. You get pulled into any games because they’re exciting. It’s definitely in a good place right now.”

Talking of the international game, what did you make of the World Cup?

“It was good, I enjoyed it. I like that there were a few surprises in there and yeah, I enjoyed the World Cup. It’s got me looking forward to international football again.”

How do you like to consume the game, can you set the scene what watching a match would look like with you?

“Usually, it would be at home with the family, the mandem and the people that I’m close to. I think watching a game with your friends is the best way to enjoy football."

Performing in a chicken shop, it’s one to tick off the list, what do you make of a setting like this?

“It’s exciting to do something different like this, so yeah I like it. Always good to do something that looks fresh and different, so yeah, I’m excited about it.

Danny Lampo performed at a Ghana music awards in France, which got many people talking about his stage control and how he's able to control the crowd.