Music

Big star

Fiona makes a solo splash

By Tatat Bunnag

• Did you know •

M.A.F. were the opening act for the Black Eyed Peas' 2006 concert in Thailand.

Fans of the Thai hip-hop label Gancore Club will surely remember the now defunct group M.A.F. and their sexy singer Manassawee Wongsiri (Fha). The group topped the charts with catchy hits like "Hua Lai Tood (Head Shoulder Bottom)" and "Ther Wan Nee Mee Namta (Shedding Tears Today)."

M.A.F. went their separate ways a few years back, but Fha is back on the scene with the new moniker Fiona and a new home with Sony Records.

Fiona's solo songs blend hip-hop with electronic music and dance beats. Bangkok's hippest dance floors are already shaking it up to Fiona's new singles "Celebrity" and the more recent hit, "Yai (Big)."

Fiona didn't want to reveal her age, but the sexy singer was happy to chat with Student Weekly about M.A.F., her new label and her latest hits.

Student Weekly: Is there a particular reason why you decided to go solo?

Fiona: I didn't just quit M.A.F. when I became famous, like some people said. We're still good friends, but our interests and musical tastes went in different directions. DJ Ma is now really into Japanese reggaeton, while ARZ loves deep house music. That's why I decided to work on my own project.

Student Weekly: Why did you change your name to Fiona?

Fiona: I actually used the name Fiona when I was with Gancore Club. But fans are more familiar with my nickname, Fha.

Student Weekly: What can fans expect from your solo music?

Fiona: Overall, my music still retains the hip-hop style, but I also mix in other styles like pop, dance and trance. My new music will be more accessible and catchy than what I've done before.

Student Weekly: What do you particularly like about hip-hop music?

Fiona: I've been listening to and making hip-hop for more than 10 years. I just love it. The beats, styles, fashion and dance moves of hip-hop just feel right for me.

Student Weekly: What is your song "Big" about?

Fiona: Most of my songs are about women in the modern world. I sing about how women should respect themselves and protect themselves from men who want to take advantage of them. But I don't just say negative things about men.

"Big" is a song about good guys. There are lots of big-hearted guys out there, but they can be hard to find because good people don't show off.

Student Weekly: What has been the most exciting live concert experience for you so far?

Fiona: When M.A.F. played a concert in Japan a few years ago, I was really impressed by the way Japanese fans participated in the show. They danced, waved signs with our name on them and even sang along with our Thai lyrics. It was really amazing!

	defunct (adj): no longer existing moniker (n): a name blend (v): to mix together different types of the same thing reggaeton (n): a style of modern urban dance music that developed in South America which combines elements of rap and reggae retain (v): to continue to have something accessible (adj): easy to understand negative (adj): bad or harmful big-hearted (adj): very kind and generous show off (phrasal v): to try to impress others by talking about your abilities, possessions, etc. participate (v): to take part in or become involved in an activity

Idiom
make a splash: to do something in a way that attracts a lot of attention or causes a lot of excitement
take advantage of somebody: to make use of somebody in a way that is unfair or dishonest