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E-40

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Earl Stevens
E-40 in 2007
E-40 in 2007
Background information
Birth nameEarl Tywone Stevens[1]
Born (1967-11-15) November 15, 1967 (age 57)
Vallejo, California, U.S
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • entrepreneur
  • actor
Years active1986–present
Labels
Member of
Spouse
Tracey Stevens
​
(m. 1991)​
Children2
Websitee-40.com

Earl Tywone Stevens Sr. (born November 15, 1967), better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper. Stevens is a founding member of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. He has released 27 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

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Stevens was born in Vallejo, California.[2][1] 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.[3] 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][3]

Music career

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1986–1999

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Stevens made his rap debut as E-40 in 1986 with his cousin B-Legit, 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][3] The group later became The Click and released the EP Let's Side in 1990.[2] 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.[2] 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.[2]

2000–2010

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E-40 (right) with Lil Jon in 2007

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 Revenue Retrievin': Day Shift and Revenue Retrievin': Night Shift.[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 Revenue Retrievin': Overtime Shift and Revenue Retrievin': Graveyard Shift. 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 History: Mob Music and History: Function Music. E-40 also performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos.[19]

2011–present

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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

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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 as of 2024 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

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E-40 lives in Danville, California, with his wife Tracey.[10] 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 him to visitors at a Giants game on June 25, 2022,[42] where he also made the ceremonial first pitch of the game.[43]

Discography

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Main article: E-40 discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

Filmography

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Film

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  • Rhyme & Reason (1997)
  • The Breaks (1999)
  • 3 Strikes (2000)
  • Obstacles (2000)
  • Malibooty (2003)
  • Hair Show (2004)
  • Survival of the Illest (2004)
  • Dead Heist (2007)
  • The Adventures of Tha Blue Carpet Treatment (2008)
  • Ghostride the Whip (2008)
  • What Are the Chances? (2016)
  • Don't Get Caught (2018)
  • 16 Bars the Movie (2023)
  • 88 Fresh (2023)

Television

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Sick Wid It Records

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Sick Wid It
Founded1989
FounderE-40
StatusActive
Distributor(s)Caroline Distribution
GenreWest Coast hip hop, hyphy
Country of originUnited States
LocationVallejo, California

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

Notable artists

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Former

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Discography

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1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
  • Turf Talk – Brings the Hood Colabilation
  • E-40 Presents – The Bay Bridges Compilation
  • Various Artists – The Sick Wid It Umbrella: Fedi Fetchin
2006
  • Droop-E & B-Slimm – The Fedi Fetcher & The Money Stretcher
  • The Mossie – Soil Savvy
  • D-Shot – Callin All Shots
  • DB'Z – Speaking in Mannish
  • Nump – The Nump Yard
  • E-40 – My Ghetto Report Card
2007
2008
  • DB'Z – Mannish Music
  • E-40 – The Ball Street Journal
  • Laroo – The Corporation
  • Nump – Student Ov Da Game
  • Various Artists – The Sick Wid It Umbrella: The Machine
  • Various Artists – 916 Unified
2010
  • E-40 – Revenue Retrievin': Day Shift/Night Shift
  • Droop-E – BLVCK Diamond Life
  • Cousin Fik – No Gravity
2011
2012
2013
2014–2017
2018
  • Nef the Pharaoh – The Big Chang Theory
  • James Too Cold – No Witness
  • OMB Peezy – Loyalty Over Love
2019
  • JT the 4th – Numba 4
  • Droop-E – Droopiter
  • OMB Peezy – Preacher to the Streets
  • E-40 – Practice Makes Paper
  • Nef the Pharaoh – Mushrooms & Coloring Books
  • Various Artists – Year of the Pig

References

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  1. ^ a b Raskin-Zrihen, Rachel (November 17, 2007). "Bling "n" wing: Rapper E-40 behind Benicia eatery?". Vallejo Times-Herald. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved January 10, 2021. ...Earl Tywone Stevens Sr., the gold and platinum-selling hip-hop star E-40's given name.
  2. ^ a b c d Kellman, Andy. "E-40 Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Gray, Mahogany U. (June 3, 2015). "Vallejo A&E Source Unique Spotlight: E-40". Vallejo Times-Herald. Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  4. ^ Chonin, Neva (August 11, 1998). "At Work on A Rap Empire". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  5. ^ Gafni, Matthias (April 12, 2007). "E-40 drums up support for Hogan". Vallejo Times-Herald. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  6. ^ E-40 (March 29, 2017). "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". Facebook. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Chonin, Neva (July 9, 2002). "Hardest-working man in rap". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 29, 2003. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  8. ^ E-40 (November 28, 2017). "E-40 1986 Grambling state university drew hall dorm #gramfam #gramblingstateuniversity #earlstevens #takeembacktuesday". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "Album: E-40 & B-Legit – Connected & Respected + Releases "Meet the Dealers" Video". Audible Treats. April 6, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Staley, Willy (January 25, 2017). "E-40's Eternal Comeback". The Fader. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  11. ^ LeRoy, Dan. "The Click Biography". allmusic. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  12. ^ "Left Side". Thefader.com. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  13. ^ "Worship the B". Westcoast2k.net. Archived from the original on February 24, 2003. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  14. ^ Hogg, Ross (March 28, 2006). "E-40: Tell Me When to Blow". XLR8R. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2008.
  15. ^ Reid, Shaheem; Calloway, Sway; Patel, Joseph (March 5, 2006). "My Block: The Bay". MTV. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2007.
  16. ^ Hasty, Katie (March 22, 2006). "'High School' Returns To The Top Of The Class". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2007.
  17. ^ Jeffries, David (March 2006). ""My Ghetto Report Card" – Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved September 14, 2007.
  18. ^ "E-40 Keeps Things 'In The Family' By Partnering With Son Droop-E For New Albums". idiomag. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  19. ^ "2011 Gathering Of The Juggalos Infomercial". YouTube. June 3, 2011. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  20. ^ "3 Brand new E-40..." Facebook. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  21. ^ Paine, Jake (June 12, 2013). "E-40 "The Block Brochure: Welcome To The Soil Parts 4, 5, & 6" Cover Art". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  22. ^ "iTunes – Music – Ripped (feat. Lil Jon) – Single by E-40". Itunes.apple.com. June 4, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  23. ^ "E-40 – All My N*ggas f. Danny Brown & ScHoolboy Q". 2DOPEBOYZ. July 19, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  24. ^ "iTunes – Music – All My Ni**az (feat. Danny Brown & Schoolboy Q) – Single by E-40". Itunes.apple.com. August 20, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  25. ^ "E-40, Stressmatic, J. Banks "Off The Block" Video". Complex. August 26, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  26. ^ "Archived copy". Facebook. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  27. ^ Smith, Trevor (August 22, 2018). "E-40 Announces Trilogy Of Albums, One Dropping This Week". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  28. ^ Arcand, Rob (June 15, 2019). "E-40 Announces New Album Practice Makes Paper Featuring Quavo, Rick Ross, ASAP Ferg, More". Spin. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  29. ^ sickwiditrecords. "NEW @e40 ALBUM DECEMBER". Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2019 – via Instagram.
  30. ^ Cyrus Langhorne (December 29, 2008). "E-40 Says Goodbye To Fatburger Franchise, Re-Launching 40 Water Brand In '09". SOHH. Archived from the original on December 31, 2008. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  31. ^ Reiss, Randy (August 11, 1998). "E-40 Defines Hip-Hop With Slang Dictionary". Sonicnet. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2019 – via MTV.com.
  32. ^ "E-40 Considers Releasing His "Book Of Slang" As A Software App". HipHopDX. December 9, 2013.
  33. ^ "Breakdown FM; An Interview w/ E-40; The Ambassador of the Bay". Odeo. May 26, 2007. Archived from the original on May 26, 2007.
  34. ^ Paine, Jake (November 5, 2007). "E-40 Creates "40 Water" Health Drink". Hip Hop DX. Archived from the original on March 15, 2014. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  35. ^ "Nor-Cal rapper E-40 has become the surprise toast of the wine world". Sacbee.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  36. ^ "E-40 Readies Sluricane Hurricane Premixed Cocktail". BallerStatus.com. November 8, 2014. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015.
  37. ^ Palmer, Tamara (January 19, 2016). "Bay Area rap legend E-40 finds success in beverage world". SFGate.
  38. ^ "E-40 was an early investor in Clubhouse". REVOLT.
  39. ^ @E40 (June 22, 2016). "Today we celebrate 25 years of marriage I love you Mrs. Stevens" (Tweet). Retrieved January 14, 2021 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ Capell, Frances (November 1, 2012). "E-40's Got A Kid Named Issue Who Raps About Iced Tea". Vice. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  41. ^ Yuscavage, Chris (November 3, 2010). "Yay! E-40 Speaks On San Francisco Giants' World Series Win". VIBE.com. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  42. ^ "E-40 figure". June 26, 2022.
  43. ^ "E-40 ceremonial pitch". YouTube. June 25, 2022.
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