The Click: Mic Check
From Down and Dirty [Sick Wid It, 1994]
The Click: World Went Crazy
From Game Related [Sick Wid It, 1995]
E-40: Da Bumble
From In a Major Way [Jive, 1995]
There’s been a lot of talk recently about who’s the next to blow up in the Bay Area. the FADER did an extensive article on the current Bay Area rap climate in the February issue I believe, highlighting the existing talent but lack of exposure. As far as Bay Area rappers that have really broken through, there’s been Too Short and E-40, with the latter being the focus of this post.
Born Earl Stevens, 40 aspired to follow in the footsteps of the looming legend Too Short, and with an unorthodox flow, sharp and crisp delivery, and street edge, 40 definitely had all of the ingredients to do just that. He started out like must aspiring rappers, slanging tapes out of his trunk and developing street cred in the Bay. His Sick Wid’ It label soon followed along with his national debut The Mail Man and a radio hit in “Captain Save a Hoe.” Next came his album Federal and Down and Dirty with his group the Click, all of which caught the attention of Jive Records which offered to distribute the entire Sick Wid’ It catalog.
The rest is history as 40 broke through to the mainstream, reaching both coasts with his boistorous rhymes. He’s never managed to permeate popular culture, but I’m sure he’s happy just where he is, enjoying his success in relative obscurity in much the same way Too Short did.
Here I present three tracks, two of them from albums he put out with The Click and one from his album In a Major Way. I think they all highlight different aspects of his talent, and they definitely all bang hard just the way Bay Area rap is supposed to.
Follow Us On Twitter 
<i><b>There's been a lot of talk recently</b> about who's the next to blow up in the Bay Area. the FADER did an extensive article on the current Bay Area rap climate in the February issue I believe, highlighting the <b>existing talent but lack of exposure.</b></i>
Same as it ever was.
The Bay Area's hip hop scene is to LA's as Chicago's is to NY's. It's always going to be second fiddle.
<a href="http://sfweekly.com/Issues/2005-05-04/music/music.html">More…</a>
yeah, it's still kinda weak though. if houston can get "still tippin'" we should be able to blow up the spot.
I think "I Got 5 On It" was the Bay Area's high water mark in terms of national exposure. Then Puffy jacked the beat in the name of NY. Bastard.
I read Fonzerelli just bought 10 Fat Burgers to bring to the Bay!!! What A Fukin' Pimp. He said he's on some real tycoon shit. Don't forget Digital Underground & oh yeah… fuck puffy!
Maru,
thanks for posting these… this is some stuff youd hear at the house parties on friday/saturday nites in Hayward…. yeah yeah, on a straight slump tip!! hahha…
The bay is overloaded with talent at the moment and always has really. Its just some industry cockblocking… Like how E-40 came up with the crazy clang but people say Jay-Z and Snoop invented the "fosheezy my neezy" when folks know where it originally came from. The Bay originated mad styles that people bit. It's all good. Folks out here aint bitter… As long as they making records and getting notoriety elsewhere, It's all good..
damn, i'd be stoked if someone threw on some 40 at a house party or something. but yeah, Bay Area rap has been my shit for a moment so there will definitely be some more posts in the future. crazy talented folks out there.
Dude, I threw on "Gasoline" at a party here in Montreal a couple months ago and some dude came up to me talking about how dope 40 water is. So that Bay shit is definitely spreading, even though it may never become huge.
"he's never been able to permeate popular culture" – wtf??!! E-Feezy's slang has been imitated, copied, and straight up stolen by fools in the industry from Lil Jon to Jay-Z to Snoop to Method Man and on and on and on. He is a straight originator, and like most originals, he doesn't get the props. Let it be known that Bay slang has permeated popular culture to the bone.
true dmadness. your quote makes me realize that i worded my thoughts poorly. the main point i was trying to make is that props should be given when they are due just like you said. i'm not saying he should sell his soul to some trl whores, but i think 40 deserves it just as much as mike jones or lil jon.