A Chinese Malaysian rapper who performs primarily in Bahasa Malaysia, Francis Roman is drawing regional attention after he was invited to perform in the prestigious BigBang Festival 2025 in Jakarta last month.
The event is considered among the top New Year Countdown event in the South-East asia region and attracts more than 30,000 music fan for the show. The eighth edition of the BigBang Festival 2025 in Jakarta took place at JIExpo Kemayoran from December 24, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
Known as Indonesia's largest year-end clearance exhibition and music festival, it features daily concerts, massive brand discounts, and festive attractions to ring in the New Year.
Francis won rave reviews for his performances and his songs were also in Malay. As a Chinese artist choosing to rap in Malay, he represents a growing cross-cultural wave in Malaysian hip-hop — one that is now gaining traction beyond national borders.
Francis’ musical journey began at home, singing children’s songs with his mother. At 12, he discovered rap and was drawn to its rhythm, storytelling, and raw emotional expression. By 15, he was already performing with a band and competing in music competitions, frequently
emerging as a winner.
His path, however, was not without hardship. During his college years, Francis faced financial struggles while continuing to pursue music. In 2017, he took a significant leap by writing and producing his own material — and made a defining decision to rap predominantly in Bahasa
Malaysia, a choice that challenged expectations for a Chinese Malaysian artist at the time.
That same year marked a breakthrough when he became a Top 4 finalist at Aloft Perth Amplified by MTV Asia 2017, placing him on a wider international radar.
Tracks such as Wangsa Maju, Ok Je, and Spit It Out later gained strong recognition within Malaysia’s hip-hop community. He also co-founded YouTube collective FKK Heros, where their content resonated strongly with youth audiences, with several videos surpassing one million
views.
In parallel, Francis built credibility in the competitive rap battle scene, earning respect for his sharp lyricism, quick wit, and commanding stage presence.
By 2025, clips of his performances began circulating widely on social media, catching the attention of overseas audiences and
eventually leading to his invitation to perform on Jakarta’s countdown stage.
From a Chinese kid rapping in Malay at local stages to performing before tens of thousands overseas, Francis Roman’s journey reflects more than personal success — it signals how cross-cultural Malaysian music is beginning to resonate across the South-East Asia region.
