Earl Stevens (born November 15, 1967) better known by his
stage name E-40, is an American
rapper,
entrepreneur, and
investor from
Vallejo, California. He is a founding member of the rap group
The Click, and the founder of
Sick Wid It Records. He has released twenty-two 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 more mainstream rappers outside of the
Bay Area. He rose to even higher mainstream popularity in 2006 with his single "
Tell Me When to Go" which was produced by
Lil Jon.