E-40
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- For the European route, see European route E40.
E-40 (born Earl Stephens on November 15 1967 in Vallejo, California), also known as Charlie Hustle, 40 Fonzarelli,Ebonics, The Ambassador of the Bay,"40 Belafonte" and 40 Water, 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 has released records regularly through his independent record label, Sick Wid It Records.
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.[West Coast 2k interview with B-Legit]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. E-40 has stated this several times over-the-air on the radio.
After the release of The Click's first album, Down and Dirty, E-40's local solo debut, Federal, was released. E-40 then gained statewide recognition[[Citing sources citation needed]] with his early EP, The Mail Man, featuring the underground hit Captain-Save-a-Ho
Later career
E-40 has released over ten CDs, 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 stars, including Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur and Too $hort.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 nationally popular, 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."
E-40's new 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.
E-40 released a new single "U And Dat" in April 2006, which features T-Pain, and is produced by Lil Jon.
Entrepreneurship
In addition to record sales E-40 has opened a Fatburger franchise in the San Francisco Bay Area along with NFL player Chester McGlockton. 40 is the author of the book, E-40's book of slang to be published by Warner Books. Earl also has his own line of liqour called Cloud 9.[The official E-40 website] Additionaly he opened the now-defunct Ambassador's Lounge, a nightclub in Downtown San Jose.[Podcast interview with E-40]
Discography
- My Ghetto Report Card (2006) #3 US
- The Best Of E-40: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow #133 US
- Breakin News (2003) #16 US
- The Ballatician: Grit & Grind (2002) #13 US
- Loyalty and Betrayal (2000) #18 US
- Charlie Hustle: The Blueprint Of A Self Made Millionaire (1999)
- The Element Of Surprise (1998)
- Tha Hall of Game (1996) #4 US
- In A Major Way (1995) #13 US
- Federal (1993) #80 R&B/Hip-Hop
Singles
| Year | Song | U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. R&B | U.S. Rap | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "Sprinkle Me" | 44 | 24 | 5 | In A Major Way |
| 1995 | "1-Luv" | 71 | 51 | 4 | In A Major Way |
| 1997 | "Things ll Never Change/Rapper's Ball" | 29 | 19 | 4 | Tha Hall Of Game |
| 2000 | "Nah, Nah..." | 61 | Loyalty & Betrayal | ||
| 2002 | "Rep Yo City" | 1 | 73 | Grit & Grind | |
| 2002 | "Automatic" | 72 | Grit & Grind | ||
| 2006 | "Tell Me When to Go" | 35 | 37 | 8 | My Ghetto Report Card |
| 2006 | "U And Dat" | 34 | 34 | 7 | My Ghetto Report Card |
External links
Notes and References
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