E-40

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the European route, see European route E40.
E-40
Background information
Birth name Earl Stevens
Born November 15, 1967 (age 39)
Origin Vallejo, California
Genre(s) Rap
Hyphy
Occupation(s) entrepenuer
Instrument(s) Rapping
Years active 1992 – present
Label(s) Sick Wid It, Jive (1994–2005)
Sick Wid It, BME ,Warner Bros. (2006–present)
Associated
acts		 The Click
Website http://www.e-40.com

Earl Stevens (born November 15, 1967 Vallejo, California) best known by his stage name E-40 is a Bay Area rapper. E-40 has, along with family members The Click (B-Legit, D-Shot, Suga T), increased recognition of his hometown of Vallejo, California and surrounding cities including Oakland, Richmond, San Francisco and San Jose in hip hop music. He graduated from Hogan High School in Vallejo. He has been a major factor in popularizing the hyphy movement (a hip-hop cultural sub-style that originated in and is unique to the Bay Area, similar to crunk in the American South), and has released records regularly through his independent record label, Sick Wid It Records. E-40 has garnered a number of nicknames from other rappers and fans, some of which are Charlie Hustle, E-Bonics, 40 Fonzarelli, The Ambassador of the Bay, The Ballatician, 40 Belafonte, E-Pheezy, Fortywater, E-4-0, Earl Poppin' His Collar, and Earl Stevens (hence his real name) .

He is one of the Doggs

Contents

[edit] Early career

After a talent show at Grambling State University, E-40 and his cousin B-Legit decided to attempt a career in rap. They moved back to Vallejo and teamed up with D-Shot, E-40's brother, to form the group Most Valuable Players. E-40's gospel singing uncle (see "I got the game from my Uncle Saint Charles") helped them put out the record. E-40's sister, Suga T, was then added to the group to form The Click.[1]

The "40" in "E-40" was chosen by Earl as a reference to "40s" - 40 ounce bottles of malt liquor. The "E" was simply derived from Earl's first name.[2]. His mother gave him this idea.

After the release of The Click's first album, Down and Dirty, E-40's local solo debut was released. E-40 then gained statewide recognition[citation needed] with his early EP.

[edit] Later career

E-40 has released over ten albums, including those with The Click. He has also appeared on numerous film soundtracks and guest appearances on other rap albums. His distinctive voice and rapid lyrical delivery have resulted in collaborations with many West Coast hip hop and Midwest stars, including Ice Cube, Keak Da Sneak Tupac Shakur, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Mitchy Slick, Brotha Lynch Hung, Too $hort, Twiztid, Tech N9ne, and unreleased tracks with MC Hammer and remixes from MC Hammer's new album Look 3X.[citation needed]

After completing a deal with Jive Records he signed with Lil Jon's BME Recordings and Warner Bros. Records. E-40's single "Tell Me When To Go," featuring Keak Da Sneak, has become popular throughout the United States, and E-40 has appeared on MTV's Direct Effect and BET's 106 and Park. Publicity for E-40 and the greater Hyphy Movement was achieved through the recent MTV feature "My Block: The Bay." He later released "U And Dat" in April 2006, which features T-Pain and Kandi Gurl, and is produced by Lil Jon.

E-40's album "My Ghetto Report Card" debuted at #1 on the Billboard Rap Album chart (#3 overall) on March 14th, 2006. Released through Sick Wid It/BME/Warner Bros. Records, the album was produced by Lil Jon, Rick Rock, and E-40's son, Droop-E. He is also featured on DJ Shadow's new album The Outsider, on a track called "Dats My Part". In 2006, he also appeared on Tech N9ne's Everready: The Religion CD on a track titled "Jellysickle." In that same year, he contributed a verse to the official remix of It's Okay (One Blood) by fellow West-coast rapper The Game along with 24 other prominent MCs including Slim Thug, Jim Jones, Jadakiss, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, Twista and Ja Rule among various others.

E-40 hosts a weekly radio show on the KMEL. The show focuses on local talent and interviews with celebrities. The show also has a segment called 'Movie Week' where E-40 reviews the week's releases.

He's currently working on his new album currently entitled "The Ball Street Journal" set to be released in late 2007. He is also set to appear in a recurring role in CSI: Miami.

[edit] Entrepreneur

In addition to record sales E-40 has ventured into other business opportunities. Along with NFL player Chester McGlockton E-40 has opened a Fatburger franchise in Pleasant Hill, California. E-40 recently authored the book, E-40's book of slang to be published by Warner Books. He also has his own line of liquor called Cloud 9, and he opened the now-defunct Ambassador's Lounge, a nightclub in Downtown San Jose.[3]

[edit] Discography

For a full discography of albums and singles, see E-40 discography.

[edit] Albums

[edit] Notes and References

  1. ^ West Coast 2k interview with B-Legit
  2. ^ E-40 has stated this several times over-the-air on the radio.
  3. ^ Podcast interview with E-40


 v • d • e  E-40
Studio albums: Federal | In A Major Way | Tha Hall of Game | The Element of Surprise
Charlie Hustle: The Blueprint of a Self Made Millionaire | Loyalty and Betrayal | Grit & Grind
Breakin News | The Best of E-40: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow | My Ghetto Report Card
Hit Singles: "Sprinkle Me" | "1-Luv" | "Things'll Never Change" | "Rapper's Ball" | "Nah, Nah..."
"Rep Yo City" | "Automatic" | "Tell Me When To Go" | "U And Dat"
Discography
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../e/-/4/E-40.html"
In other languages