New rap releases

Hip Hop as a lifestyle remains underground but rap music is alive and well in the Philippines and the best proof of this is the continuous stream of well-received albums from local rap acts.

Andrew E., Live by Andrew E.: It was in December 1990 when club rapper Andrew E., made his recording debut with Humanap Ka ng Panget and set ablaze a long successful career in show business. One hit album followed another. One blockbuster film came in the wake on the next. No longer was he falling asleep in buses at dawn while on his way home from work as a DJ at Euphoria. And his leading ladies got more and more beautiful with every picture.

Back then detractors of the country's favorite panget were quick to say that there was no way that Andrew's music could last. Hip hoppers disillusioned over his success as a comedian accused him of selling out. But Andrew just kept his cool through the good and bad times by remaining engrossed in his work. Ten years later he is once again on top as the venerable elder statesman of rap with a top selling album, Wholesome and an upcoming movie, Mana-Mana with Bayani Agbayani and Leo Martinez.

To celebrate this new series of successes, Andrew's Dongalo Wreckords recently released Andrew E., Live, which was recorded during a concert in Sydney, Australia. Of course, present here are the Andrew E., bigsellers like Humanap Ka ng Panget, Andrew Ford Medina, Bini B. Rocha, Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko and Mahal Kita. Other cuts are Alabanger, Hanep ang Lola, I Can't Hear You, Close-Open, plus his famous concert intro Andrew E., is in the House. Also included is a DJ exhibition by Radical MK.

For those already familiar with a live performance by Andrew E., this album is a must. As for those who haven't, here is your chance to find out what keeps this guy on top.

Interscholastic by FrancisM: Like Andrew, FrancisM is still around and aside from TV hosting, he still raps. The son of matinee idols Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran was a serious actor who ditched screen stardom for rap. He was responsible for the first Pinoy rap recording, the patriotic Mga Kababayan Ko, whose success paved the way for the arrival of Andrew E., Michael V., and other local rappers.

FrancisM has since experimented with other music types but rap remains his forte and he returns to the genre for his latest release, Interscholastic. Not only that he also traipses into Andrew E., territory and even Allan K.'s. Watawat echoes the sentiments of Mga Kababayan Ko but that is all that remains of the old FrancisM, who has also gotten into the wholesome state of mind."

The album's title cut is a love song where he extends the invitation to step into the shower & let's get obscene. From there he goes to Presinto Na Naman, whose chorus goes Sanamagan, hinabol ng itak tinapyasan. Then to Bading ang Dating, which says 'Day kailangan mo mag watchout/kung ang dyowa mo ay badaf/bading bading ang dating... to the rhythm of Lauryn Hill's (Doo Wop) That Thing.

You can cast your fears aside though because FrancisM has not really changed. This new collection is a send up of familiar melodies and familiar themes performed tongue-in-cheek with new lyrics that if we are to judge by the sales of Andrew E.'s Wholesome, many will surely enjoy.

C-4, Tha Unexpected by Hi-jakkk, Kane and Gobas: Producer, arranger and performer Hi-jakkk keeps hard core rap alive while the local "kings of rap" are playing around with lighter stuff. He was formerly with Death Threat of Ilibing ng Buhay ang Mga Pasosyal fame. This group was responsible for a well-received albums Wanted and Kings of Da Undaground. As Hi-jakkk, he produced and arranged Domination I and Domination II and Tha Revelation.

His latest is no less honest and at times as disturbing but then that is what true rap is all about. It is the poetry of the streets, which can be dangerous places to be in at times. Cuts are Who We Be, Down Wit Uz, Domination III, Paper Chase, Playa'z n' g'z, Left in the Middle of Time, Tru'z, Whatcha Know, Dedicated To, Nawawarat, Last Song, Verbal Warfare and Feel Diz.