Malaysia’s FORCEPARKBOIS [FPB] have been making noise and winning fans since they started in 2018. Like a posse, the 10-member group creates and rolls together. They had already had a steady run of tracks that were stamped by the Bahasa-speaking Hip Hop world when they dropped ‘Lotus’ in 2021. That track blew up and then went stratosphere level 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 last year’s ‘Must Be Nice’ the bois have become a force, and they keep on making their mark on the South East Asian Hip Hop scene. LiFTED finally got a chance to sit down with them as they are August cover stars.

FPB: Thanks for having us!

N$H: Yup, that’s right! We’re all from Johor Baharu, and that connection really brings us together as a crew. It’s a big group, but that’s what makes it special—we all bring our unique vibes and energy, and when we come together, it’s like a family. Johor Baharu is home, and we’re proud to represent it in everything we do.

NOEL: Honestly, it feels amazing to be recognized in the Malaysian Hip Hop scene. It’s been a wild journey, and we owe a lot to the people who have supported us from day one. Being at the top is cool, but it also comes with a responsibility. We want to keep pushing the culture forward and ensuring we’re inspiring the next wave of artists to do the same. We’re just grateful to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

1k: We came together pretty naturally. It all started in 2018 when NAKALNESS, LAWS, and myself [1k] were just messing around with rapping for fun. We didn’t expect much at first, but soon enough, we realized that there were other rappers in our neighborhood with the same passion and drive. That’s when we thought, why not bring everyone together? So, we recruited them and that’s how FORCEPARKBOIS was formed. It was about creating something bigger than just the three of us—a movement from our community.

ASSET.BO: ⁠Nakalness is the main person guiding 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 very much a collaborative effort where each of us brings our strengths to the table.

AALI.3GP: Yes, that’s right! When you hear ‘Ali on the beat’ in tracks like ‘Must Be Nice,’ it’s referring to me. I’m the beatmaker for FORCEPARKBOIS, but we also have another talented beatmaker on the team, FUEGONEP. Together, we craft the beats and production that define our sound.

HAN PANAS: When we were coming up, we were heavily inspired by groups like BROCKHAMPTON and 99 Neighbors, who brought a fresh, innovative approach to their music. A$AP Mob also played a big role in shaping our style with its blend of hard-hitting bars and melodic elements. Their unique approaches to blending genres and experimenting with sounds resonated with us and influenced how we craft our tracks.

LAWS: Having Jay Park co-sign and remix 'Lotus' was an incredible honor for us. He has been 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 wider audience. It was a validation of our artistry and a huge boost for our careers. Working with someone of his caliber was both inspiring and motivating, and it truly felt like a milestone in our journey.

BLXCKID : Yes, we primarily rhyme in Bahasa but we also mix in some English lyrics to reach a broader audience. We haven’t performed extensively outside of Malaysia yet, but we did have the opportunity to perform twice in Singapore. Those shows were amazing experiences and a great way for us to connect with fans in the region. We’re looking forward to more opportunities to take our music to new places in the future!

FUEGONEP: I’m definitely a fan of Joe Flizzow and his influence on Asian Rap. Besides him, I really enjoy 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, of course, is a major figure as well, with his impactful tracks and global reach. Each of these artists brings something special to the table, contributing to the evolving landscape of Asian Hip Hop.

NAKALNESS: We’re excited about the rest of 2024 and heading into 2025. Right now, we’re deep into working on our new album, and it’s a significant departure from our previous sound. We’ve been experimenting with new styles and ideas, pushing boundaries to create something fresh and innovative. We’re looking forward to sharing this with everyone and hope that it resonates with our fans as much as it does with us. Stay tuned for some big surprises and new directions—this is going to be a transformative chapter for FORCEPARKBOIS!