Okayplayer.com Review

Nick Andre And E Da Boss
Every Man For Himself
(Slept On Records : 2008)
80
Posted on 05/19/2008
There’s something about listening to Every Man for Himself via an MP3 player that just doesn’t feel right. It’s almost certain that something gets left behind, because as it stands, there’s barely enough room in those tiny ear buds for all that bass and all of those drums.

I imagine the only acceptable way to listen to Every Man for Himself would have to be via a boombox, outside in a park, cardboard laid out on the cement among a sea of b-boys and b-girls going to battle. There is no way headphones could do this justice.

DJs/producers Nick Andre and E Da Boss have turned out an EP that successfully marries three of hip hop’s four traditional elements: it relies on the DJ, respects the emcee and throws down for the b-boys/girls. The contributions from Gift of Gab (Blackalicious), Phoenix Orion and Raashan Ahmad (Crown City Rockers) among others, vary the content, keeping it fresh. And while some arrangements are complemented with sharp lyrics, others are purely instrumental and ill on their own.

There are a few odd pauses that break up the flow occasionally, and as nice as it may be, we didn’t need three versions of “Trunk Slumpin’.” But regardless of the missteps, the unit comes together well with all parts of the mosaic playing an important role.

The layered beats sprayed with carefully selected samples are so funky and infectious, you move unconsciously. The consistently high energy is magnetic; drawing listeners in and taking them back to a time before hip hop started taking itself too seriously – back to when “fun” was reason enough.

- Alison Isaac