Naughty Andrew E

It was 13 years ago when we first met Andrew E. The young disco DJ from Euphoria, (they still had discos then!) was discovered by the legendary Ramon Jacinto himself. Admittedly people didn’t know what to make of Andrew E. then. He was a rapper and he had a tune titled Humanap Ka ng Panget. But rap music then meant serious stuff like Francis M’s Mga Kababayan Ko, so the prediction was that Andrew would have so-so sales with Panget which was considered a novelty song the way Mr. Suave is today.

But they failed to consider the fact that a lot of pangets exist in this world and they rallied behind the song that extolled their virtues, turned the song into a hit and Andrew into a movie star. They followed this up with another prediction. This was that Andrew E., would be just another one-hit wonder. That he would have one big hit song, then fail to come up with something as saleable. He would then just fade quietly into oblivion. Again Andrew proved them wrong. Humanap Ka ng Panget turned out to be the first in a series of hits that sustained Andrew over the next decade. He now has more than 10 hit albums to his credit and has worked with the country’s biggest stars from Sharon Cuneta to Joey de Leon to Robin Padilla.

Andrew’s best asset is his lively imagination and a nose for what is cool. He uses this to pander to the fantasies of the riff-raff and the gamols. Wouldn’t they want to be picked up by a pretty girl from Forbes Park? This is also what puts Andrew through various incarnations. From Panget he became Andrew Ford, Gamol, Alabanger, Porno, Pooh, Wholesome. The leading ladies in his songs also became a varied lot like Bini B. Rocha, Alabang Girl, Banyo Queen and others. For his latest he is Krispy Na, Kreamy Pa. He has another pretty girl but this time around she picks him up at the club. There are no more discos in town.

Of course, as every Andrew E. fan already knows, this same imagination can also be very, very naughty. Why do you think he was dubbed Porno and had to counter with Wholesome? He does overstep the bounds of good taste at times but as time immemorial has shown, sex sells, more so when these are amusing tales that Andrew raps about. Pink Palaka, which he adapted from Haring Solomon, Boy Sullivan’s hit tune from 30 years ago, is one example.

The song is what is expected to carry Krispy Na, Kreamy Pa to the top of the charts. For all you know, you might soon find this rosy amphibian gracing the big screen as Andrew’s co-star in his next movie. But it is not the only goodie contained in the album. Highblood, Shoot-Shoot, the Japanese inspired Majime and Beach also show lots of potential. Some of the lyrics do hint at sex but if you will listen closer, you will notice how much Andrew’s music has progressed from his tentative approach during his Panget days. This is a serious producer who knows the business at work.

Then there is the love song That’s Why I Love You, which marks his first collaboration with Regine Velasquez. The two were recording in the same studio when Andrew asked Regine if she could sing in his album. She said yes and the result is something sweet and wholesome that the radio stations will not think twice about playing. Other guests in the album are rap artists Francis M, Carlos Agassi, Salbakuta, Kruzzada, Anak ni Bakuko, Sakit ng Sukat, Jawtee, EHP, Razzamanazz, Nasty Mac, DJ Coki and many more who join Andrew in Pretty Girl Sa Club and Here We Go.

Andrew E. nowadays is a devoted husband and father. He tours constantly and often performs in Japan and the US. He remains the prime and most active purveyor of rap music in the Philippines. He is also some sort of older brother to emerging rap acts whom he signs to his music label, Dongallo Wreckords and whom he helps get started. Salbakuta of S2PID Luv fame and Razzamanazz are among his many discoveries.

Humanap Ka ng Panget came out in December, 1990. It now seems ages ago. And people then wondered what Andrew E. was going to do in show business. As it turns out, he did and continues to do a lot.