Francis Magalona’s unreleased “last album” will finally see the light of day. Independent record label Eikon Records, helmed by journalist and label owner Rick Olivares, has announced a special release to honor his legacy.
In a Facebook post, Olivares shared that the upcoming project will celebrate Magalona’s music in time for his upcoming 60th birthday on October 4. “This is for you, my old friend,” Olivares wrote.
Prior to this upcoming release, Magalona’s final project, In Love and War (2010), a collaboration with Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia, was recorded while he was undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia. The album stands as a testament to his unwavering passion for music despite his illness at the time. Following his death, the Magalona family took steps to protect his legacy, denouncing unauthorized tribute concerts and bootleg merchandise that attempted to capitalize on his passing.
Eikon Records worked closely with Magalona’s widow, Pia, to ensure the project has the family’s blessing. Olivares told Rolling Stone Philippines, “This was supposed to be that last album. It’s actually done. This was Francis M at the top of his game. There’s rap, there’s rap rock, so there’s a mixture of stuff, and ‘Superproxy’ was one of them.” The album was supposed to come out before Francis M passed away in 2009 but the release was postponed because his label owned the rights to his catalog.
“This was last year pa,” Olivares said, “we just couldn’t pull it off.” The initial release will be a 12-inch EP with three to four songs. The full album will drop next year.
Francis M, one of the pioneers of Philippine hip-hop, has left an indelible mark on the music industry from the early ‘90s until his untimely passing in 2009. Known for evolving from a pop-rap icon to a conscious rapper who tackled contemporary issues, Magalona’s influence continues to resonate.
For longtime fans and new listeners alike, the master rapper’s return is a moment worth waiting for. October can’t come soon enough.
