The best West Coast MCs of all time, according to E-40
E-40 is a hero in the Bay Area and is so for several reasons. As one of the first rappers from Oakland, E-40 began his rap career with his crew, The Click. Members included B-Legit, D-Shot and Suga-T, and together the group created a swell of powerhouse rap.
As a member of the collective, E-40 remained one of the most engaged members, pushing the troop into the studio to lay down the tracks that would result in the crew releasing their 1990 EP Let’s Side. Picking up a fair amount of traction in East Oakland and Vallejo, in 1992, the group signed with Sick Wid It Records to release their second album, Down And Dirty and become West Coast legends.
E-40 recorded some solo material along the way. However, in 1993, The Click had a commercial breakthrough with their comical song ‘Captain Save a Hoe’. With his unique style and humour, E-40 developed a heavy regional following in the Bay Area, eventually spreading nationwide. Alongside figures such as Too $hort, E-40, with his unique style and flow, put a spotlight on MCs from Northern California.
Still, since his rise, E-40 has become more than a mere symbol of the Bay. He is a highly respected West Coast rapper who has even influenced the likes of Kendrick Lamar. Furthermore, in 2020, he joined a supergroup alongside other California legends such as Too $hort, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube.
That said, in an interview with Jazzy’s World TV, E-40 spoke about his relationship with the most famous Bay Area emcee of all time, 2Pac, and even unveiled his ten favourite West Coast MCs.
Speaking about his album In A Major Way, E-40 explained, “[It] was a big record, 2Pac was on this album and many more…Anybody with a quarter of a brain knows this is West Coast hip-hop royalty this album, In A Major Way. RIP 2Pac! It was groovy, like a drive-in movie. He did so much in so little time. [He is] the GOAT.”
Speaking about the All Eyez On Me creator’s legacy, E-40 divulged, “It’s a trip because, as I said, he did so much in so little time. Back in those days it wasn’t like ‘Send me a song, and I’ll send it right back’. No, we were in the studio together!” He continued, “Every time we got together, it was like a party! It was like a family reunion because when good people get together, good people get together. So I miss my guy. He killed it on everything he ever did!”
Speaking about his longevity, E-40 expressed gratitude, telling Jazzy, “I’m grateful for everything! Being in this game for many decades and still being able to generate scrilla, man, I’m living my best life, and I’m 56 years old.”
When asked to name his top West Coast MCs ever, E-40 began listing, “I would have to say 2Pac, E-40, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and Too $hort, Mac Dre, Spice, B-Legit” He even labelled Spice1 as one of the “greatest rappers of all time!”