Overview
Belladonna is the creative project of Nico Chiara, a German-born producer and artist whose music bridges the hypnotic depth of melodic techno with the raw energy of hip-hop. Known for his instinctive sound design and precise mixing, Belladonna represents Chiara’s first project fully dedicated to his own artistic vision—unfiltered, immersive, and intentionally outside the confines of traditional genre labels.
The name "Belladonna" draws inspiration from the deadly nightshade plant, Atropa Belladonna—a natural paradox associated with beauty, seduction, danger, and control. In the Middle Ages, the plant’s extract was used by assassins and alchemists either as a lethal poison or a hallucinogenic elixir. At the same time, nobility used it in controlled doses to dilate their pupils, a symbol of beauty and excess. This duality—intoxication and danger, attraction and threat—forms the blueprint for Belladonna’s sonic identity. Belladonna is not defined by a genre; it is an effect. The project seeks to expand the listener’s senses while holding them in a state of tension that never fully resolves.
Chiara’s musical journey began at just twelve years old. Over the following years, he established himself as a behind-the-scenes force in the European music scene, producing records for a wide range of artists across Germany and beyond. His skills eventually led him into the American market, working with major U.S. rappers and pop artists. Across his career as a producer, Chiara accumulated over 1.67 billion streams globally (according to Muso AI), along with 45 gold certifications, 12 platinum awards, two Billboard #1 records, and six #1 albums in Germany. Despite these successes, the work always involved compromise—adapting to the needs of other artists, managers, and commercial expectations.
Belladonna emerged as a response to that compromise. It was created as a space where no outside influence could alter the music. As a project, Belladonna represents total creative independence—a world where two musical histories collide. Chiara’s background in hip-hop remains present in Belladonna’s rhythmic bounce and groove, while the expansive soundscapes, heavy synth layers, and storytelling structures align with the darker edges of melodic techno. Belladonna isn’t about abandoning one world for another; it’s about letting both bleed into something new.
The project’s live debut came in August 2024 with a B2B at Void Club in Mykonos, immediately following Korolova’s headline performance. This was followed by performances across Europe, including sets at La Guérite in Cannes, Sky Club in Malta, and Railway Park in Budapest alongside major headliners such as ARTBAT and Rebūke.
Musically, Belladonna’s early ATROPA EP introduced his sonic signature, but the breakout moment came with the track "WHERE I'M FROM," a collaboration with Grammy Award-winning artist Cassian and Script.
Before its official release in March 2025, the track became the most-played song at Zamna Festival in Tulum—a globally recognized hub for cutting-edge electronic music. "WHERE I'M FROM" received support from major artists including Anyma, Tale of Us, CamelPhat, Massano, Chris Avantgarde, Tiësto, Kevin de Vries, Miss Monique, and Korolova. It later reached #1 on Beatport’s Melodic House & Techno chart, growing Belladonna’s entry into the global circuit.
Belladonna’s production work draws from a wide range of tools, operating across FL Studio, Ableton, and Pro Tools. Synth-heavy textures from instruments like the Moog XL Voyager and the Korg Minilogue XD combine with underwater mixing techniques (inspired by producers like NOAH 40) and hard-hitting, unpredictable bass patterns, setting Belladonna’s sound apart within the melodic techno scene.
The visual side of Belladonna is just as carefully constructed. The project’s aesthetic begins in darkness—heavy contrasts, muted purples and blacks, cinematic shadows—and is designed to eventually evolve into lighter, ethereal visuals as the project grows. Inspired by AI-driven hyperrealism and sci-fi narratives, Belladonna’s live shows unfold like continuous cinematic experiences rather than simple performances. Visuals depict a shifting, consuming entity, pulling the audience into an evolving story across the set.
The branding stays minimalistic: clean sans-serif typography, subtle grainy textures, and consistently moody filters dominate social media presence. Authenticity is a cornerstone of Belladonna’s digital world—every post, story, and piece of content is designed to maintain the immersive experience without breaking character or leaning into trend-driven distractions.
Looking ahead, Belladonna aims to expand further into international markets, with goals to perform regularly across Europe, Dubai, and South America, and ultimately perform at major festivals like Burning Man and Tomorrowland. Belladonna is positioned as a rising force—building a world where sonic and visual storytelling blur into one continuous experience.
