E-40 Explained

E-40
Birth Name:Earl Tywone Stevens
Alias:40 Water
Birth Date:15 November 1967
Birth Place:Vallejo, California, U.S
Years Active:1986–present
Current Member Of:
Child:yes
Children:2

Earl Tywone Stevens Sr. (born November 15, 1967), better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper. He is a founding member of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. He has released 26 studio albums to date, appeared on numerous movie soundtracks, and has also done guest appearances on a host of other rap albums. Initially an underground artist, his 1995 solo album In a Major Way opened him up to a wider audience. Beginning in 1998, he began collaborating with mainstream rappers outside the San Francisco Bay Area. He rose to higher mainstream popularity in 2006 with his single "Tell Me When to Go", which was produced by Lil Jon.

Early life

Stevens was born in Vallejo, California.[1] [2] He grew up with his siblings raised by a divorced mother who worked three jobs, and he became interested in hip hop after hearing "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang.[3] [4] Beginning in fourth grade, Stevens played the snare and bass drum. He graduated from Hogan High School in Vallejo in 1985.[5] [6] Stevens played baseball in high school, recorded music with his siblings, and sold their recordings from the back of a car.[7] After high school, Stevens enrolled at Grambling State University in 1986 with his cousin Brandt Jones and attended the school for one year.[8] [9] [10]

Music career

1986–1999

Stevens made his rap debut as E-40 in 1986 with Jones (performing as B-Legit his cousin), sister Suga-T, and brother D-Shot in the group Most Valuable Players. After impressing fellow students with a rap remix of the school song and a Grambling State talent show, Most Valuable Players released a single, "The King's Men".[11] The group later became The Click and released the EP Let's Side in 1990. The EP was co-produced by Mike Mosley and Al Eaton and was released on Sick Wid It Records, an independent label founded by E-40. In 1992 they released a second album, Down and Dirty, and in 1993 E-40 made his solo album debut. Federal, a nine-track LP/14-track CD produced by Studio Ton and released by Sick Wid It Records in association with SMG (Solar Music Group), a regional distributor.

In 1993 the Click had mainstream hit, "Captain Save a Hoe" (radio edit "Captain Save Them Thoe"). They moved back to Vallejo and teamed up with D-Shot, E-40's brother, to form the group MVP or Most Valuable Players. E-40's gospel singing uncle (Saint Charles) helped them put out the record.[12] Suga-T was then added to the group to form the Click.[13]

Although having a large following on the West Coast, E-40 did not have a large mainstream audience, so only two of his songs released under Jive Records, "1-Luv" featuring Levitti and "Things'll Never Change" featuring Bo-Roc, charted on the Billboard Hot 100. He had been working nearly exclusively with rappers from the Bay Area until 1997, when he released the double disc compilation Southwest Riders featuring exclusively rap acts from the Bay Area and the south. His collaboration with southern rappers continued in 1998, when he was given guest appearances on albums by Southern rappers, including Lost by Eightball, and MP da Last Don by Master P.

2000–2010

In 2003 E-40 began hosting E-Feezy Radio, a weekly program on San Francisco hip-hop radio station KMEL that showcased Bay Area hip hop.[14] KMEL regularly broadcast the program until 2008. After completing a deal with Jive Records he signed with Lil Jon's BME Recordings and Reprise Records. After the signing, he appeared on Lil Jon's single "Snap Yo Fingers", also featuring Sean P of YoungBloodZ, which became a hit reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. Afterwards, his single "Tell Me When to Go", featuring Oakland rapper Keak da Sneak, became popular throughout the United States, and E-40 appeared on MTV's Direct Effect and BET's 106 & Park. Publicity for E-40 was achieved through the MTV special My Block: The Bay.[15] He later released "U and Dat" in April 2006, featuring T-Pain and Kandi Girl and produced by Lil Jon. His album My Ghetto Report Card debuted at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #3 on the Billboard Hot 200 on March 14, 2006.[16] 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.[17] On March 30, 2010, E-40 released two albums called and .[18] Both include guest appearances from Too Short, Snoop Dogg, Gucci Mane, Bobby V, and more. They debuted at numbers 47 & 49 respectively on the 200. The first single from the Day Shift album is "Bitch" featuring Too Short. On March 29, 2011, E-40 released two albums called and . They include guest spots from Lil Jon, Bun B, Slim Thug, Tech N9ne & more. They both entered on the 200 chart at #'s 42 & 40. In November 2010, E-40 and Too Short announced that they would release two collaborative album in Summer 2012 entitled and . E-40 also performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos.[19]

2011–present

In 2012, E-40 released three solo albums: The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil series 1, 2, and 3, and released a collaboration album with Too Short.[20] The first single from the second Block Brochure album is "Function" featuring YG, Iamsu! & Problem. It peaked at #21 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, #62 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and #22 on the Rap Songs chart, becoming his most successful single in years. The volumes include Snoop Dogg, Too Short, Kendrick Lamar, Juicy J, Tech N9ne, Twista, Brotha Lynch, Andre Nickatina, 2 Chainz, & T-Pain as guests. They each debuted at #'s 58, 59 & 72 on the Billboard 200, respectively, and the triple album box set that contains all three Block Brochure volumes debuted at #44. History: Function Music debuted at #63 on the 200, while Mob debuted at #72. He made a cameo appearance in the music video for Young Jeezy's song "R.I.P." featuring 2 Chainz in March 2013, and was also featured on the song's official "G-Mix" also featuring Snoop Dogg and Too Short. It was revealed that the 4th, 5th and 6th editions of The Block Brochure would be released exactly one year after the release date of the first three volumes. However, there is no confirmed release date for the three albums, but the artwork for all three volumes and the triple album box set was released on June 12.[21] On May 21, he released the first single from the three albums, "Ripped" featuring Lil Jon.[22] On July 18, he premiered the second single "All My Niggaz" featuring Danny Brown and Schoolboy Q.[23] The song was released to iTunes on August 20, 2013.[24] On August 26, the video for "Off the Block" featuring Stressmatic and J. Banks was released and confirmed to be on the album.[25] On Facebook E-40 announced that parts 4, 5 and 6 would be released on December 10, 2013.[26]

In 2018, E-40 announced the "Definitions" album trilogy.[27] He released his twenty-fifth studio album The Gift of Gab on August 23, which was followed by his twenty-sixth studio album Practice Makes Paper on July 26, 2019.[28] The third album, Rule of Thumb, was released on November 17, 2023. In 2019, he made a guest appearance in the music video of "West Coast", performed by G-Eazy, Blueface, ALLBLACK and YG.[29]

Business career

Along with former NFL player Chester McGlockton, E-40 opened a Fatburger franchise in Pleasant Hill, California, which has now been shut down.[30] E-40 has promoted a forthcoming publication, E-40's Book of Slang, since 1998,[31] but the volume has not yet been released.[32] He is also a spokesperson for Landy Cognac, and he opened the now-defunct Ambassador's Lounge, a nightclub in Downtown San Jose.[33]

In late 2007, E-40 announced a new line of energy drinks called "40 Water."[34] He also has a number of other ventures in the beverage industry, including the wine industry, where he has released three wines including a red blend called "Function," a moscato and high-alcohol fortified wine called "Mangoscato."[35] The wines are branded using the rapper's real name, Earl Stevens. In December 2014, he released a premixed cocktail beverage called Sluricane Hurricane, inspired by the 1995 hit song "Hurricane" from his group the Click.[36]

In December 2015, E-40 released a line of malt liquor called "E-40", available in 24 oz. cans and 40 oz. glass bottles.[37]

E-40 is also an investor and has his own investment company. He was an early investor in social media apps Clubhouse and Convoz.[38]

Personal life

E-40 lives in Danville, California, with his wife Tracey. They married in 1991 and have two children who grew up to become rappers: Earl Jr. (who performs as Droop-E) and Emari (Issue).[39] [40]

E-40 is a longtime San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors fan,[41] and the team gave away 15,000 bobblehead figures of himself to visitors at a Giants game on June 25, 2022,[42] where he also made the ceremonial first pitch of the game.[43]

Discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

Filmography

Film

Television

Sick Wid It Records

Sick Wid It
Status:Active
Founded:1989
Founder:E-40
Distributor:Caroline Distribution
Genre:West Coast hip hop, hyphy
Country:United States
Location:Vallejo, California

In 1989, E-40 formed independently-owned hip hop record label Sick Wid It.

Notable artists

Former

Discography

1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005:
2006:
2007
2008
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014–2017
2018
2019

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kellman. Andy. E-40 Biography. Allmusic. January 14, 2021.
  2. Web site: Bling "n" wing: Rapper E-40 behind Benicia eatery? . Raskin-Zrihen. Rachel. Vallejo Times-Herald. November 17, 2007. January 10, 2021. ...Earl Tywone Stevens Sr., the gold and platinum-selling hip-hop star E-40's given name.. https://web.archive.org/web/20071121151847/http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_7492056. November 21, 2007. dead.
  3. Web site: Gray. Mahogany U.. Vallejo A&E Source Unique Spotlight: E-40 . Vallejo Times-Herald. June 3, 2015. January 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20150721005558/http://www.timesheraldonline.com/arts-and-entertainment/20150603/vallejo-ae-source-unique-spotlight-e-40. July 21, 2015. dead.
  4. Web site: Chonin. Neva. At Work on A Rap Empire. San Francisco Chronicle. August 11, 1998. January 14, 2021.
  5. Web site: E-40 drums up support for Hogan. Gafni. Matthias. Vallejo Times-Herald. April 12, 2007. January 14, 2021.
  6. Web site: Earl " E-40 " Stevens, Hogan High School Graduate Class of 85' Vallejo California, If i can do it, you can too → STAY IN SCHOOL KIDS! #waybackwednesday #WBW. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/25529837049/10154321975912050 . February 26, 2022 . limited. Facebook. E-40. January 14, 2021. March 29, 2017.
  7. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20030429002626/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2002%2F07%2F09%2FDD138874.DTL. April 29, 2003. Hardest-working man in rap. Chonin. Neva. San Francisco Chronicle. July 9, 2002. January 14, 2021. live.
  8. Web site: E-40 1986 Grambling state university drew hall dorm #gramfam #gramblingstateuniversity #earlstevens #takeembacktuesday. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BcCvabaFvkz . December 26, 2021 . registration. E-40. Instagram. November 28, 2017. January 14, 2021.
  9. Web site: Album: E-40 & B-Legit – Connected & Respected + Releases "Meet the Dealers" Video. Audible Treats. April 6, 2018. January 14, 2021.
  10. Web site: E-40's Eternal Comeback. Staley. Willy. The Fader. January 25, 2017. January 14, 2021.
  11. Web site: The Click Biography. LeRoy. Dan. allmusic. January 14, 2021.
  12. Web site: Left Side. Thefader.com. January 12, 2015.
  13. Web site: Worship the B. Westcoast2k.net. January 12, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20030224015315/http://www.westcoast2k.net/interviews/blegit.htm. February 24, 2003. dead.
  14. Web site: Hogg. Ross. E-40: Tell Me When to Blow. XLR8R. March 28, 2006. July 25, 2008. dead. https://archive.today/20130105185730/http://www.xlr8r.com/features/2006/04/e-40-tell-me-when-blow. January 5, 2013.
  15. Web site: Reid . Shaheem . Calloway . Sway . Sway Calloway . Patel . Joseph . My Block: The Bay . MTV . March 5, 2006 . September 14, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071012013029/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/my_block/oakland/news_feature_030506/index.jhtml . October 12, 2007 .
  16. Hasty . Katie . 'High School' Returns To The Top Of The Class . . March 22, 2006 . September 14, 2007 .
  17. Web site: Jeffries . David . [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r821800|pure_url=yes}} "My Ghetto Report Card" – Overview ]. . March 2006 . September 14, 2007 .
  18. Web site: E-40 Keeps Things 'In The Family' By Partnering With Son Droop-E For New Albums. March 26, 2010. idiomag.
  19. Web site: 2011 Gathering Of The Juggalos Infomercial . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211103/5gKE67L97SA. November 3, 2021 . live. YouTube . June 3, 2011 . April 4, 2012.
  20. Web site: 3 Brand new E-40... . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/25529837049/10150443142217050 . February 26, 2022 . limited. Facebook . April 4, 2012.
  21. Web site: Paine . Jake . E-40 "The Block Brochure: Welcome To The Soil Parts 4, 5, & 6" Cover Art . HipHop DX . June 12, 2013 . April 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140408224340/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24295/title.e-40-the-block-brochure-welcome-to-the-soil-parts-4-5-6-cover-art . April 8, 2014 . dead .
  22. Web site: iTunes – Music – Ripped (feat. Lil Jon) – Single by E-40 . Itunes.apple.com . June 4, 2013 . April 8, 2014.
  23. Web site: E-40 – All My N*ggas f. Danny Brown & ScHoolboy Q . 2DOPEBOYZ . July 19, 2013 . April 8, 2014.
  24. Web site: iTunes – Music – All My Ni**az (feat. Danny Brown & Schoolboy Q) – Single by E-40 . Itunes.apple.com . August 20, 2013 . April 8, 2014.
  25. Web site: E-40, Stressmatic, J. Banks "Off The Block" Video . Complex . August 26, 2013 . April 8, 2014.
  26. Web site: Archived copy . Facebook . October 23, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160109083519/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151663791052050&set=a.191154917049.140981.25529837049&type=1 . January 9, 2016 . dead .
  27. Web site: E-40 Announces Trilogy Of Albums, One Dropping This Week. Smith. Trevor. August 22, 2018. August 9, 2019. HotNewHipHop.
  28. Web site: E-40 Announces New Album Practice Makes Paper Featuring Quavo, Rick Ross, ASAP Ferg, More. Arcand. Rob. June 15, 2019. June 18, 2019. Spin.
  29. Web site: NEW @e40 ALBUM DECEMBER. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BmyTccrj2ZS . December 26, 2021 . registration. sickwiditrecords. Instagram. August 9, 2019.
  30. Web site: E-40 Says Goodbye To Fatburger Franchise, Re-Launching 40 Water Brand In '09. Cyrus Langhorne . . December 29, 2008. August 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20081231160707/https://www.sohh.com/2008/12/e-40_says_goodbye_to_fatb.html . December 31, 2008 . live.
  31. News: Reiss . Randy . E-40 Defines Hip-Hop With Slang Dictionary . https://web.archive.org/web/20121018005922/http://www.mtv.com:80/news/articles/500244/e-40-authors-slang-dictionary.jhtml. dead . October 18, 2012 . April 5, 2019 . Sonicnet . August 11, 1998 . en. MTV.com.
  32. News: E-40 Considers Releasing His "Book Of Slang" As A Software App . HipHopDX . December 9, 2013.
  33. Web site: Breakdown FM ; An Interview w/ E-40; The Ambassador of the Bay . . https://web.archive.org/web/20070526085227/http://www.odeo.com/audio/594729/view . May 26, 2007 . unfit . May 26, 2007 .
  34. Web site: Paine. Jake. E-40 Creates "40 Water" Health Drink. November 5, 2007. Hip Hop DX. August 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20140315173333/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5915/title.e-40-creates-40-water-health-drink. March 15, 2014. live.
  35. Web site: Nor-Cal rapper E-40 has become the surprise toast of the wine world. Sacbee.com. January 12, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20140929052608/http://www.sacbee.com/2014/08/03/6596624/nor-cal-rapper-e-40-has-become.html. September 29, 2014. dead.
  36. Web site: E-40 Readies Sluricane Hurricane Premixed Cocktail. https://archive.today/20150416145218/http://www.ballerstatus.com/2014/11/08/e-40-readies-sluricane-hurricane-premixed-cocktail/. dead. April 16, 2015. BallerStatus.com. November 8, 2014.
  37. Web site: Bay Area rap legend E-40 finds success in beverage world. Tamara . Palmer . January 19, 2016. SFGate.
  38. Web site: E-40 was an early investor in Clubhouse. REVOLT.
  39. E40. Today we celebrate 25 years of marriage I love you Mrs. Stevens . 745764630287421441. June 22, 2016. January 14, 2021.
  40. Web site: Capell. Frances. E-40's Got A Kid Named Issue Who Raps About Iced Tea. Vice. November 1, 2012. January 14, 2021.
  41. Web site: Yuscavage . Chris . November 3, 2010 . Yay! E-40 Speaks On San Francisco Giants' World Series Win . June 14, 2022 . VIBE.com.
  42. Web site: E-40 figure . June 26, 2022 .
  43. Web site: E-40 ceremonial pitch . YouTube . June 25, 2022 .