Farewell, King of Pop!

Michael Jackson, the legendary king of pop, has passed away. He was 50. Jacko succumbed to cardiac arrest but an autopsy is set to be done today to find out what caused his death. Michael was found lifeless inside his home in California. His personal doctor and other responding paramedics reportedly tried to revive him before he reached the hospital. After more than an hour of attempts to resuscitate him in the hospital, he was pronounced dead.

The King of Pop is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.

The world was shocked to hear this news. Who wouldn't when Michael was expected to hold a comeback concert in London next month? Who could have thought that the concert MJ described as his "final curtain call" would never happen anymore? I realized death can come to anyone at anytime in a blink of an eye. Life is that fragile.

We just lost a music genius...a total performer whose music has lingered on for many decades. I've listened to his songs since I was a kid in the 70's during his stint with his siblings in The Jackson Five, until I worked as a radio DJ in the 90's. I was especially crazy over his 80's hits like Thriller, Beat It,and Billy Jean,among others. In high school, me and my classmates performed to his Smooth Criminal in a school presentation. His songs mark different moments in my life, different milestones.

The Pop Icon may be gone but his music will live on for more generations to come. Rest in peace, Michael J. Thank you for your music.

Bye Bye, Francis M

The Master Rapper is gone.

Francis Magalona A.K.A Francis M, FrancisM, or Kiko, one of the country's pillars in the Philippine rap music industry, succumed to leukemia yesterday noon. He was diagnosed of having the illness in August 8 last year.

I couldn't believe what I was reading on the internet news feeds. My initial reaction was that it could have been a false alarm. Maybe a third-hand information gone mishandled or something. He couldn't be dead! Seven months after diagnosis? Not too soon! I just couldn't accept that possibility.

But then I saw the news on TV. It was confirmed. Kiko has left. I was like gazing in the TV monitor with a blank stare. He was only 44.

Not a typical rapper

What set Francis M apart from other Filipino rappers was that he wrote really good songs - nationalistic, positive, influencial, highly sensible. While most rappers crooned about the usual love and sex, Kiko sang mostly about social issues and love for country. Nobody came close to him in his niche. His music was one of a kind from the lyrics, to the sound, to the entire package.

He catapulted underground Pinoy rap into mainstream and even succeeded in merging hiphop, funk and rock.

Albums released

Yo! (1990)
Rap Is FrancisM (1992)
Meron Akong Ano! (I have something!) (1993)
FreeMan (1995)
The Best of FrancisM,was released (2002)

Citations and Awards

Featured in international hip hop publications All Music Guide to Hip-Hop: The Definitive Guide to Rap and Hip-Hop (2003) and The Source (May 2004)
Pioneer Hall of Fame Award at the 1st Annual Philippine Hip-Hop Music Awards (2005) Generations Award at the MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards (2006)


I have always adored the man ever since I was in high school. Our dance group performed in his Mga Kababayan (from the album Yo!) in one of the school's biggest events. When I worked as a DJ from 1994-2001, I would squeeze into my playlist any of his songs appropriate for my variety of programs especially in my "Hoy, Pinoy!"

I memorized the lyrics of his hits songs Girl Be Mine, Man From Manila, Mga Kababayan, Kaleidoscope World, 3 Stars and A Sun, Gotta Let 'Cha Know, Cold Summer Nights, Mga Praning, among others.

So long, Fracis M. You'll forever be remembered as the King of Pinoy Rap. Your music lives on.