2K Beats

The term “legend” is not loosely thrown around in hip-hip and for good reason. There are not many rappers that fit the bill. But E-40, “The Ambassador of the Bay,” is one that definitely does. After 12 albums and 15 years, three gold and one platinum album (one with his group The Click), it’s no secret why 40 has remained current: he stays on top of the streets.

E-40 is credited with changing hip-hop lexicon by coining new slang terms that have now become standard words in the language of the hip-hop generation. In fact many of today’s top rapper borrow terms from E-40’s book of slang and present it to the world as their own without paying homage to the originator. Among the many terms that the Bay Area legend has introduced to the masses are “It’s all good,” “ya feel me” and “Fa Shizzle.” Popular terms like “nephew” and “playboy” started with 40 also.

40’s clever wordplay eventually paid off for him. After spending a year studying commercial art at Grambling State University, where he and his cousin B-Legit’s rap skills made them campus celebrities. After releasing a number of independent albums, E-40 signed an impressive deal with Jive which led him to drop nine albums and helped solidify the Bay Area’s position as a viable city for hip-hop.

In 2003, E-40 fulfilled his contractual obligation with Jive and felt that it was time to change labels. With his latest album, My Ghetto Report Card, 40 Water is poised to step back into his platinum shoes and carry an entire movement on his back to national prominence. There is no doubt that after one listen, new and old fans alike, will agree that 40 gets straight A’s on this report card.



"Baller Blockin’"
Performed by E-40 ft. San Quinn
Decon Records (©2006)
Courtesy of Sick Wit It Records
www.deconmedia.com