Frans Baldacchino, known as il-budaj was born in Zejtun on the 16th of May 1943. He fell in love with ghana (Maltese folk songs) at a very young age and since those primary school days rhythm and rhyme captured his heart as did the intellectual words of well-known poets. He immigrated to Australia at the age of twelve. He soon developed versatility in both cante storie and the cycles referred to as spirtu pront, which is ghana composed on the spur of the moment. Being also a keen poet, il-budaj introduced poetry into his own style of ghana, thus changing the belief that the proper nature of ghana is only exchange of insults in rhythmic manner. Il-budaj feels he has made a breakthrough in the way in which ghana is now perceived, particularly when he was accepted to sing ghana in churches. Baldacchino has performed in several musicals, comedies and other stage productions. In 1992 accompanied by another vocalist and two guitarists he gave four concerts in Paris to appreciative audiences. A CD was launched following these appearances whilst in Malta he produced two other CD's. He is the author of “Imriezaq ta' Mohhi” a book featuring poetry and ghana and has also written plays and comedies. In 2001 he won L-Ghanja tal-Poplu Song Festival.
Baldacchino is married to Paola Briffa and has three children.