Twenty years in hip hop is a long, long, time. Bay area rapper E-40 has been on the grind for so long, that he has popularized sub-genres (hyphy) and was among the first rappers to own and operate his own label (Sick Wid It). He's also owned hamburger joints, nightclubs, written a book of hip hop slang and with a little help from Lil Jon, had his first and only smash hit 14 years into his recording career.
Unfortunately, that hit, 2006's Pepe Le Phew-esque dance floor call "U and Dat," temporarily ruined music because it encouraged every other hip hop artist touse T Pain to sing autotuned hooks on their record. Worse, it enabled T Pain to become the least talented singer to ever become a major star.
Thankfully, people are finally getting sick of autotune, and E 40 is back on the grind, doing what he does best. He released two "Revenue Retrevin'" albums this past March, and has plans to release another two ""Revenue Retrievn'" albums next February. Opening up for Tech N9ne at the 500 capacity Culture Room tomorrow night may be a long way from his "Yay Area" mansion - but every little bit of retrieved revenue helps. After all, it's hard out there for a pimp (when you need money for the McMansion mortgage.)
t-Pain is actually pretty talented he can sing and rap do some research b4 writing this f***ing article thanks
Posted by: patrick | 10/26/2010 at 02:43 PM
One of the most painful nights I've spent was at the Ozone awards watching T Pain yell over his own vocals. He didn't even bother to bring a track without his vocals. Why? Because he needs autotune even to rap. That was enough research for me.
Posted by: Bowker | 10/27/2010 at 09:49 AM