Maip Diop, aka Axell, was born in Kaolack, Senegal in 2000. Having arrived in Italy with his family at the age of nine, he lived his first years in Trofarello, a town in the province of Turin, where he began to cultivate his passion for music and learned playing trumpet and piano.
At twelve years old, after moving to Turin in the Borgo Vittoria neighborhood, he grew up within the context of Barriera di Milano, a neighborhood very famous for its multi-ethnicity and for the many social problems that afflict it. From these problems and the varied social context in which he lives, Maip draws inspiration for his lyrics and makes music and writing first a personal outlet and then a full-time job.
Over the last few years he has published many songs on digital platforms, including Argent, which make him increasingly known in the neighborhood and then subsequently throughout the Turin area. In 2021 he signed together with his producer Vaporstef for Sto Records, the rapper Ghali's label. With the label he publishes the single titles Problems, Frontline, Malocchio #1, Kili Kili and La Mula, all released in 2023. Now Axell is ready to make the leap towards an official project.