interview
FORCEPARKBOIS tries to push boundaries to create something fresh and innovative
“Johor Baharu is our home and we are proud to represent it in everything we do.”
Lifted
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Daniel R
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16 August 2024
Malaysian FORCEPARKBOIS (FPB) have been making noise and gaining fans since their formation in 2018. Like a posse, the 10-member group creates and collaborates together. They already had a steady line of tracks influenced by the Bahasa-speaking hip-hop world when they released “Lotus” in 2021. That track went through the roof and then reached stratosphere levels when H1GHR Music did a remix of it, featuring top Korean MCs Park Hyeon Jin, JMIN, BIG Naughty, pH-1, Trade L, Woodie Gochild, Jay B and of course, Big Boss, Jay Park. While the Korean posse cut has 10 million views, FPB’s “Lotus” now has 33 million views and is an Asian hip-hop classic.
With other hits like “Ultra” and “Must Be Nice” from last year, the guys have become a force and continue to leave their mark on the Southeast Asian hip hop scene. LiFTED finally had the chance to speak with them as they are the cover stars for August.
Yo, guys! It’s so good to finally be back in the loop. Thanks for joining us!
FPB: Thank you for having us here!
For our readers who don’t know you, your MC names are NAKALNESS, 1k, AALI.3GP, NOEL, N$H, LAWS, HAN PANAS, FUEGONEP, BLXCKID and ASSET.BO. That’s a huge crew! Are you all from Johor Baharu?
N$H: Yes, that’s right! We’re all from Johor Baharu and that connection really bonds us together as a crew. It’s a big group but that’s what makes it so special – we all bring our unique vibe and energy and when we come together, it’s like a family. Johor Baharu is our home and we’re proud to represent it in everything we do.
You guys have been ruling Malaysian hip hop for a while now, how does it feel to be at the top of the game?
NOEL: Honestly, it feels great to be recognized in the Malaysian hip hop scene. It’s been a wild ride and we owe a lot to the people who have supported us since day one. Being at the top is cool but it also comes with responsibility. We want to keep pushing the culture forward and make sure we inspire the next wave of artists to do the same. We’re just grateful to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
How and when did you all come together?
1k: We came together very naturally. It all started in 2018 when NAKALNESS, LAWS and I (1k) were just playing around with rap for fun. At first we didn’t expect much, but soon we realized that there were other rappers in our neighborhood with the same passion and drive. So we thought, why don’t we bring everyone together? So we recruited them and that’s how FORCEPARKBOIS was born. It was about creating something bigger than just the three of us – a movement from our community.
Who is the leader of the group or is there one?
ASSET.BO: Nakalness is the main person who determines FPB’s song direction and vision. He plays a key role in shaping the overall sound and concept of our music. However, we all brainstorm and come up with ideas together, especially when it comes to creating tracks or albums. It’s a very collaborative effort where each of us brings our strengths to the table.
On your track “Must Be Nice” you say “Ali on the Beat”. So is AALI.3GP the beatmaker/producer?
AALI.3GP: Yes, that’s right! When you hear “Ali on the Beat” in tracks like “Must Be Nice”, it refers to me. I am the beatmaker for FORCEPARKBOIS, but we also have another talented beatmaker on the team, FUEGONEP. Together we create the beats and production that define our sound.
You guys have a slow, relaxed flow on most of your tracks. You combine hard beats with some melodic vocals, especially in the hooks. It reminds us of southern and midwestern groups from the US in the early 2000s. Can you tell us who your main influences were when you were coming up?
HAN PANAS: When we started out, we were heavily inspired by groups like BROCKHAMPTON and 99 Neighbors, who brought a fresh, innovative approach to their music. A$AP Mob has also played a huge role in shaping our style with his mix of hard-hitting bars and melodic elements. Their unique approaches to mixing genres and experimenting with sounds resonated with us and influenced the way we craft our tracks.
What was it like when Jay Park co-signed you on the remix of “Lotus”?
LAWS: It was an incredible honor for us to have Jay Park co-sign and remix “Lotus.” He was such a significant figure in the music industry and his involvement brought a new level of visibility and credibility to our work. His remix not only elevated the track but also introduced our sound to a larger audience. It was a validation of our artistry and a huge boost to our careers. Working with someone of his caliber was both inspiring and motivating and truly felt like a milestone in our journey.
You mostly rhyme in your mother tongue, Bahasa, right? Have you performed outside Malaysia? And if so, where?
BLXCKID: Yes, we mostly rhyme in Bahasa, but we also mix in some English lyrics to reach a wider audience. We haven’t performed much outside of Malaysia yet, but we’ve had the opportunity to perform in Singapore twice. These shows were incredible experiences and a great way for us to connect with fans in the region. We look forward to more opportunities to take our music to new places in the future!
I know you guys love Joe Flizzow. Who are your favorite Asian rappers?
FUEGONEP: I’m definitely a fan of Joe Flizzow and his influence on Asian rap. I also really like Miyachi from Japan for his unique style and energetic flow. Hanumankind is another favorite of mine; his lyrical depth and originality stand out in the scene. Rich Brian is of course also an important figure with his impactful tracks and global reach. Each of these artists brings something special to the table and contributes to the evolving landscape of Asian hip hop.
Please let us know what the rest of 2024 looks like for FORCEPARKBOIS with a view to 2025.
NAKALNESS: We are looking forward to the rest of 2024 and into 2025. Right now we are in the middle of working on our new album and it is a significant departure from our previous sound. We have experimented with new styles and ideas and pushed boundaries to create something fresh and innovative. We are excited to share this with everyone and hope our fans will love it as much as we do. Stay tuned for some big surprises and new directions – this will be a transformative chapter for FORCEPARKBOIS!
