Freeman (Francis Magalona album)
Encyclopedia
Freeman was Francis Magalona
's fifth album, released in 1995 by BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc, Musiko Records. It was Magalona's first outing with the BMG label, having left his previous label, Octo Arts, in 1994. Its release firmly established Magalona's legitimacy in the Pinoy rock
scene. Tracks like "Three Stars & A Sun", "Kabataan Para Sa Kinabukasan", "Suckin' on Helium/Kaleidoscope World
" would become defining touch-points in Magalona's body of work. A track titled "Intellectual Property Rights" would sample a speech by then-president
Fidel V. Ramos
. Intellectual property rights was an issue that would continue to be an important and very personal advocacy for Magalona.
The iconic cover of the album featured an image of Magalona's son Elmo
, aged six months. A version of "Kabataan Para Sa Kinabukasan" became the advertising theme for the Royal Tru-Orange
soda drink brand, since a previous FrancisM song, "Ito ang gusto ko!" (This is what I want!) had already been used to promote that product. The song was also featured in Pare Ko, a popular movie from that time which featured music from up and coming Pinoy Rock artists. "Kaleidoscope World" went on to win 1996 Awit Award for Best Produced Record of the Year, and the 1996 NU 107 Rock Award for Song of the Year. "Kaleidoscope World"'s music video was directed by the celebrated director/cinematographer Raymond Red, and showed Magalona, his band Hardware Syndrome, his backup singers "the Evil Stepsisters", and the respective children of Magalona and Red at that time.
Throughout the rest of his career, Magalona would repeatedly refer to elements in Freeman as a starting points for new endeavors. The motiff and title of "Three Stars and a Sun" would become the defining mark of his fashion label, FrancisM Clothing Company. A later album, Freeman 2, would repeat Freeman's themes with new music, and with the occasional retrospective examination of the influence of the first Freeman album. When Magalona died in March 2009, "Kaleidoscope World" was played in many of the tributes to the artist, including an audio-visual presentation from Eat Bulaga!
, the noontime variety program of which Magalona was a co-host, and a short rendering of the song at the Eraserheads' "Final Set" reunion concert, which the band dedicated to Magalona. The song was also played repeatedly during his wake and his burial.
Francis Magalona
Francis Michael Durango Magalona , also known as FrancisM, Master Rapper, MC The Mouth and The Man From Manila, was a Filipino rapper, entrepreneur, songwriter, producer, actor, director, and photographer. He was the first Filipino rapper in the Philippines to cross over to the mainstream...
's fifth album, released in 1995 by BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc, Musiko Records. It was Magalona's first outing with the BMG label, having left his previous label, Octo Arts, in 1994. Its release firmly established Magalona's legitimacy in the Pinoy rock
Pinoy rock
Pinoy rock, or Filipino rock, is the brand of rock music produced in the Philippines or by Filipinos. It has become as diverse as the rock music genre itself, and bands adopting this style are now further classified under more specific genres or combinations of genres like alternative rock,...
scene. Tracks like "Three Stars & A Sun", "Kabataan Para Sa Kinabukasan", "Suckin' on Helium/Kaleidoscope World
Kaleidoscope World (song)
Kaleidoscope World is a 1995 song performed by the late Filipino rap artist Francis Magalona. It was first included in his 1995 studio album Freeman. The song is also included in a later album, Best of FrancisM....
" would become defining touch-points in Magalona's body of work. A track titled "Intellectual Property Rights" would sample a speech by then-president
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Fidel V. Ramos
Fidel V. Ramos
Fidel "Eddie" Valdez Ramos , popularly known as FVR, was the 12th President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. During his six years in office, Ramos was widely credited and admired by many for revitalizing and renewing international confidence in the Philippine economy.Prior to his election as...
. Intellectual property rights was an issue that would continue to be an important and very personal advocacy for Magalona.
The iconic cover of the album featured an image of Magalona's son Elmo
Elmo Magalona
Elmo Moses Arroyo Magalona, better known as simply Elmo Magalona is a Filipino actor and singer. He is the sixth child of Francis Magalona.-Personal life:...
, aged six months. A version of "Kabataan Para Sa Kinabukasan" became the advertising theme for the Royal Tru-Orange
Royal Tru
Royal Tru is a carbonated fruit drink brand owned by the Coca-Cola Company that is only available in the Philippines. It also uses the same styling as its Coca-Cola global cousin Fanta...
soda drink brand, since a previous FrancisM song, "Ito ang gusto ko!" (This is what I want!) had already been used to promote that product. The song was also featured in Pare Ko, a popular movie from that time which featured music from up and coming Pinoy Rock artists. "Kaleidoscope World" went on to win 1996 Awit Award for Best Produced Record of the Year, and the 1996 NU 107 Rock Award for Song of the Year. "Kaleidoscope World"'s music video was directed by the celebrated director/cinematographer Raymond Red, and showed Magalona, his band Hardware Syndrome, his backup singers "the Evil Stepsisters", and the respective children of Magalona and Red at that time.
Throughout the rest of his career, Magalona would repeatedly refer to elements in Freeman as a starting points for new endeavors. The motiff and title of "Three Stars and a Sun" would become the defining mark of his fashion label, FrancisM Clothing Company. A later album, Freeman 2, would repeat Freeman's themes with new music, and with the occasional retrospective examination of the influence of the first Freeman album. When Magalona died in March 2009, "Kaleidoscope World" was played in many of the tributes to the artist, including an audio-visual presentation from Eat Bulaga!
Eat Bulaga!
Eat Bulaga! is a noon-time variety show in the Philippines produced by Television And Production Exponents Inc. and aired by GMA Network. The show is broadcast from The New TAPE Studios at the GMA Broadway Centrum in New Manila, Quezon City. Eat Bulaga! is aired Weekdays at 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm ...
, the noontime variety program of which Magalona was a co-host, and a short rendering of the song at the Eraserheads' "Final Set" reunion concert, which the band dedicated to Magalona. The song was also played repeatedly during his wake and his burial.
Track listing
- Baw-Waw-Waw
- Three Stars And A Sun
- Bahala Na
- Old Man
- Pikon
- Beam Me Up Scottie / Kimo's Groove
- Funky Monkey
- Rasputin Lives
- Jolog
- Contrapelo
- Kabataan Para Sa Kinabukasan
- Pen & Ink
- Suckin' On Helium / Kaleidoscope WorldKaleidoscope World (song)Kaleidoscope World is a 1995 song performed by the late Filipino rap artist Francis Magalona. It was first included in his 1995 studio album Freeman. The song is also included in a later album, Best of FrancisM....
- Mahiwagang Kamote
- Puso Ng Siga
- Pektus
- Intellectual Property Rights
- Blood On The Mud / 2nd Man On The Moon
- Contrapelo 2