E-40 – The Ball Street Journal (11-24-2008)

Posted on Nov 13 in Reviewsby adminPrint

For the majority of the last two decades Vallejo, California native E-40 has been a staple in bay area hip hop. Though he’s been doing it big since his 1993 debut The Mail Man he didn’t hit the cross over mainstream until 2006’s My Ghetto Report Card. Two years and some change later 40 Water hopes to once again cash in on his newfound success with the help of A-Town crunk master Lil Jon. With a rapidly changing musical climate only time can tell whether or not 40’s time is up or if it will ever be. His latest release The Ball Street Journal will be an instant indicator.

After a couple of hyphy bred joints courtesy of resident producer Rick Rock E-40 takes a trick to the ATL to snatch another certified banger from Lil Jon with the Shawty Lo assisted “Break Ya Ankles.” The Jonathan Rotem produced “Pain No More” turns out to be an emotional testament form three of the west coast’s greatest. Snoop Dogg, The Game, and 40 all turn in stellar performances for the album’s early highlight. 40 takes a solid four minutes to lift the skirts up on those constantly seeking handouts, killers who snitch, and even these gay ass ring-tone rappers on the Rick Rock helmed “Tell It Like It Is.”

Though they don’t do anything for me both the T-Pain assisted “Give Her The Keys” as well as the Akon assisted “Wake It Up” have that crossover appeal that drunk white chicks all over the world will most likely come to love. If it weren’t for 40 saying “40 about 40 fuckin times on the Lil Jon produced “40 Water” then it could have actually been a respectable serving. Bun B and Gucci Mane serve as 40’s kitchen aides as they all give Martha Stewart a run for her money as they lay down the dope process on “The Recipe.”

40 comes with an entirely different swag on the silky Raw Smoov engineered “Hood Boy” where he laces one for all the grown and sexy ladies out there. Lil Jon lays down a retro thumper as E-40 kicks things back to the west coast essence on the aptly titled “Earl.” The album comes to a conclusion with a somewhat reunion of The Click as B-Legit and Suga T show up on the heartfelt “Pray For Me.”

As a listener who came up during the first half of E-40’s career I really can’t get into his new stuff all too well. There seems to be a lack of that true bay area sound that 40 made his name with. Producers like Bosko and Tone Capone have been replaced with the likes of Lil Jon and Rick Rock. This is not to say that The Ball Street Journal is absolutely no good. In fact it may just be a great example of just how versatile E-40 really is. Even though this album won’t satisfy his long time fans he will still be able to find some younger and eager club patrons who will stop and listen.

VERDICT – 12 / 20
LYRICS: 3
PRODUCTION: 3
DELIVERY: 3
CONSISTENCY: 3