Remembering the Master Rapper

It was a weekend last Friday heard it over the news and read it on the papers that the "Mouth", "Man from Manila", "Master Rapper", or just plainly as "Kiko" Francis Magalona past away at the age of 44. Hard to believe, it was just like yesterday first time I saw saw him visit the station doing a radio tour. I was star struck, I was a fan since I was in highschool.

Who could forget the early 90's, he was skinny wearing spandex and high cut Reeboks, when he first started the revolution of Pinoy Rap with his debut album "Yo". With hits like "Mga Kababayan", "Gotta Letcha Know", "Cold Summer Nights" and a whole lot more. Before the likes of Andrew E., Michael V., (Yes, it was old school that time all their surnames were wipe out with just a letter)came out both now actors, comedians,and paved the way for other hip hop artist.

He was promoting his album that time "Happy Battle", inspired by the Tekken CGI Characters. With him in the cover with a Bruce Lee like outfit. He was with his kids that time the whole family behind supporting him. Too bad that time I did'nt have a camera with me. He was game, most of the time for the interview. During this time he was already experimenting with a different sound far different from his previous albums.

I did remember like asking him why the sudden change? He told me that as an artist they should never feel like shying away from the different genres. Although almost leaning to the sound of the Beastie Boys, sometime soon he did a spoof of a Beastie Boys song.

He did a lot of collaborations with artist like the Eraserheads, Gloc-9, Parokya ni Edgar, just to name a few. He was an actor first (who could forget the Ninja Kids)before he became a rapper, ZJ(Zone Jock), then a producer, host, a VJ (the oldest I think in his 30's for MTV), and he also came out with a clothing line.

I had an oppurtunity to host a mall show for him over at SM Bicutan in 2004 or 2005. He remembered me, that's what I like about him. Especially people who appreciate and support his music. So I thought he was like finished with the whole gig, but I was about to say thank you to all the sponsors and our audience. He interrupted me and said "You wanna join me", although I did had some second thoughts of jamming that time but I said man"its your show". He was getting ready for an encore, he has this charisma for the audience to love him and his music. So I reintroduced him once again and he had some artist from his stable that he called on to join him.

Every sunday we had a radio program called of the "Best of Pinoy Pop", were we play all OPM songs and I never fail to play a Francis M. song . Until someone took my copy of his "Best Hits Album", I have one in cassette and CD. I guess everyone knows good music is equal to Francis M. What I really like about him is that he was always nationalistic, he always believe in the Filipino Talent. Even in his own clothing line, mas mahal dapat yun pinoy. He was like a vampire he never aged since the 80's, the time when Ninja Kids came out.

Last sunday, I had a flashback, I was in Subic for the weekend for an event. In the van it was a radio station 96.7 K-Lite doing a Francis M. tribute,playing all of his hits from the "Yo" album til Kaleidoscope World from "Freeman". I almost shed a tear when it finally sink in, we wont be seeing him anymore in "Eat Bulaga". Gone but not forgotten he will always be remembered.


All in all, man there is no doubt youre still No.1 in our hearts and minds. The Father of Pinoy Rap. You're now a Freeman.