Italian pop duo Zero Assoluto (Absolute Zero) was formed by friends Matteo Maffucci and Thomas de Gasperi, who met in 1995 while studying together. As close friends they started sharing musical ideas, writing songs together for their own entertainment. In 1999 their first single, "Ultimo Cappodanno" (Last New Year's Eve), was released without sincere hopes of success, but the song, along with an accompanying video, was well received. Their next single, entitled "Magari Meno," was released three years later, followed by "Tu Come Stai," the latter's video winning an award for best photography that year. A short time later, in 2004, the pair started hosting Suite 102.5 for the national radio network, a show that quickly achieved cult status among young Italians. That same year Zero Assoluto released their debut record, Scendi, which eventually achieved platinum status and generated several radio hits. Successful appearances at the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival and a strong radio presence widened the group's exposure considerably over the next few years. Their 2006 platinum release Appena Prima di Partire and a collaboration with Nelly Furtado that year on the song "All Good Things (Come to an End)" from the Italian version of her album Loose brought the group international recognition. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez