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Francis Magalona - Bio, Albums, Songs and Lyrics

The Story and Songs of Francis Magalona

Francis Magalona is a pioneer in Filipino rap. He is famous rapper known as Francis M, Kiko, The Mouth, Master Rapper and The Man From Manila. He is dubbed as the “King of Pinoy Rap” and was idolized by others of the same genre. He is the first Filipino rapper who crossed the mainstream successfully. He is a multi-talented artist possessing the talents of a songwriter, a producer, director and an actor and a painter. He can play harmonica and produced melodies using megaphones or microphones.

Francis Magalona was born on October 4, 1964 in Manila, Philippines. He was a sibling with nine brothers and sisters of Pancho Magalona, late Philippine movie screen legends and Tita Duran. He was married to Pia Arroyo and have eight siblings namely Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Isabella, Elmo, Arkin, Clara and Maxene Magalona, an actress.

He started as a break dancer in 1980’s. Having a descent of acting, he followed the footsteps of his father and appeared in several films. He then proceed to emceeing and released his groundbreaking debut album Yo! on 1990 under the label of OctoArts. The album was a total success and was the first Pinoy rap album commercially released in the Philippines. It helped Francis to cross from underground to mainstream status and marked the birth of Nationalistic rap in Filipino hip hop.

In 1992, he released his second album, Rap Is Francis M which was considered as one of the greatest Pinoy Rap albums. It included songs of cultural and social problems such as “Mga Praning”, “Halalan” and “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy”. Because of its conscious message, the album instantly earned its classic status and served as the standard of other raps.

The following year, Francis M released his third album dubbed as Meron Akong Ano!, followed by Freeman in 1995. He collaborated with other musicians like Joey Ayala, Heber Bartolome, Ryan Cayabyab, Mike Hanopol, Andre E., Michael V., Denmark and Eraserheads. He was seen also playing with Pikaso, Gloc 9, Stick Figgas and Parokya Ni Edgar.

Francis’ contributions were featured in several international hip hop publications such as All Music Guide to Hip-Hop: The Definitive Guide to Rap and Hip-hop on 2003 by Backbeat Books and The Source on May 2004.

He sounded his own recording company called “Red Eggs Records” and also his own production company, “Filipino Pictures Inc.” as the resident Director. He made music videos of several bands and solo artist like Sponge Cola, Ely Buendia, Gloc 9, Join The Club, Shamrock, Pikaso, Death Threat and Denmark. In 1996, Happy Battle was released featuring Hardware Syndrome. Two years after, he released The Oddventures of Mr. Cool, followed by Interscholastic in 1999.

He also ventured into hosting and appeared in several shows like Eat Bulaga!, the longest running noontime show and some live events and performances. He was also a VJ in MTV Asia. He is the first Filipino VJ along with Regine Tolentino in MTV Asia. He worked in MTV from 1997 to 2000.

On 2001, Francis released Freeman 2. The following year, he launched his compilation album, The Best of Francis M under Musiko. He was chosen by Fremantle Media, owner of American Idol to be one of the judges of Philipine Idol along with Ryan Cayabyab and Pilita Corales. He was also the receiver of Generation Award of MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards in 2006. Francis held his exhibits in painting and in photography and a regular member of Camera Club of the Philippines.

However, some things don't last forever. The King of Rap was rushed to the hospital and placed in an Intensive Care Unit. He was diagnosed with AML or Acute Myelogenous Leukemia with Mixed Lineage. On May 6, 2009, around 12 noon, Francis left this world in peace but left the people shocked and worried. But this good soul will remain be cherished deep in out hearts and his name will live from generations to generations.