E-40

Active on the Bay Area rap scene since the late 1980s, E‑40 has become one of the emblematic voices of Vallejo, California, bridging classic West Coast rap, G‑funk sonics and the hyphy movement. Born Earl Stevens, he first gained recognition as part of the group The Click with family members, then launched the independent label Sick Wid It Records to support his early projects, including the album “Federal” (1993) and “In a Major Way” (1995). His discography spans decades with albums such as “The Hall of Game” (1996), “The Element of Surprise” (1998), “Grit & Grind” (2002), “My Ghetto Report Card” (2006), the “Revenue Retrievin’” series (2010–2011) and “The Block Brochure” (2012–2013), demonstrating sustained activity. E‑40 developed a distinctive style marked by a syncopated flow, off‑beat rhythmic placements and heavy use of slang, often linked to the evolution of West Coast rap vocabulary. Regularly featured on collaborations—most notably with Too Short and other California artists—he also appears occasionally in film and television, extending his profile beyond music.