E-40, whose career began in the late 1980s, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential figures in West Coast hip-hop history. Born Earl Tywone Stevens in 1967 in Vallejo, California, he first emerged as a founding member of the family rap group The Click alongside his sister Suga-T, brother D-Shot, and cousin B-Legit, and quickly became known for his rapid-fire delivery, unmistakable Bay Area drawl, and unmatched knack for inventing slang that would later be adopted across mainstream hip-hop.

His breakthrough came with his solo debut Federal (1993) on his own Sick Wid It Records — the label he founded — followed by the platinum-certified In a Major Way (1995), widely regarded as a Bay Area classic. He signed with Jive Records the same year and became one of the first Bay Area rappers to break through nationally, expanding his reach with hits like "Sprinkle Me" featuring Suga-T and "1-Luv."