Francis Magalona | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Francis Michael Durango Magalona |
Also known as | Francis M, Master Rapper, The Man From Manila, Kiko, The Mouth, The Filipino King of Rap |
Born |
Kalentong, Mandaluyong, Philippines |
October 4, 1964
Died | March 6, 2009 The Medical City, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines |
(aged 44)
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | |
Instruments | |
Years active | 1984–2009 |
Labels |
OctoArts-EMI Phils. (now PolyEast Records [EMI Music]) (1989–1993) Sony-BMG Records (now Ivory Music [Sony Music] ) (1994–2006) |
Associated acts | Hardware Syndrome Joey Ayala Ryan Cayabyab Eraserheads Planet Garapata Perfecto de Castro Michael V. Parokya ni Edgar Gloc-9 Ely Buendia Evil Stepsisters The Pin-Ups |
Website | Magalona.com |
Francis Michael Durango Magalona (October 4, 1964 – March 6, 2009), also known as FrancisM, Master Rapper, The Mouth and The Man From Manila, was a Filipino rapper, entrepreneur, songwriter, producer, actor, director, and photographer. Born in Mandaluyong City, he was the first Filipino rapper in the Philippines to cross over into the mainstream. He was credited for having pioneered the merging of rap with Pinoy rock, becoming a significant influence to artists in that genre as well. He was also a television host on MTV Asia and Channel V Philippines and on noontime variety television show Eat Bulaga! Magalona died seven months after being diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. Magalona was later awarded a posthumous Presidential Medal of Merit. The award's citation noted that it had been given "for his musical and artistic brilliance, his deep faith in the Filipino and his sense of national pride that continue to inspire us."
Magalona was the eighth of the nine children of actors Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran, popular film stars of the 1940s and 1950s. His grandfather, Enrique B. Magalona, was a politician and served as a Senator of the Philippines from 1946 to 1949 and from 1949 to 1955. He graduated from High School at the Don Bosco Technical College in Mandaluyong City from 1978 to 1981 and studied at the San Beda College in Manila from 1981–1984.
Magalona started out as a breakdancer in the 1980s. He was cast in several Filipino movies including Bagets 2. He was the resident DJ/rapper in the IBC-13 variety show Loveli'Ness.