“Ambassador” – Review Of E-40’s The Ball Street Journal
ALBUM REVIEWS By MZ on December 3, 2008 at 7:02 pm
With over 20 years in the game you’d be hard pressed to find someone more qualified to rep California’s Bay Area as an ambassador to the rap game than E-40. Having navigated through both major and independent label routes, the slang scholar has a vast knowledge of the inner workings of the recording industry and like a competent delegate, he’s always there to offer assistance to other artists from the Bay. On his 11th solo album, The Ball Street Journal, 40 Water moderately succeeds in satisfying the multitude, by forsaking a cohesive album for a smorgasbord of styles and sounds.
Lyrically, E-40 is colorful & sharp as ever as he twists and bends the fine print to formulate his rhymes. Although he never strays far from the familiar topics of the Bay, women, drugs, and partying; his ever changing vernacular keeps things somewhat fresh. On songs like “The Recipe” with its savory guest spots, and “Earl,” he shows that he’s still adept at whipping up hard edge drug rhymes. The latter, which pays a nod to Ice-T’s “Colors,” he paints a chilling depiction of coming up in The Bay and the justification of some of the decisions he’s made.
On the other end of the spectrum, tabloid fodder like “Give Her The Keys” and “Wake It Up” are breed for crossover appeal, although E-40 sacrifices some of his flair to fit into T-Pain and Akon’s respective formulas. Either one could easily be mistaken for one of the countless other songs they appear on.
Sonically, the album sounds familiar as well, and for good reason. A majority of the backdrops rework specific songs or could’ve been taken from another’s artists catalog. It’s not entirely his fault either. Rick Rock (“The Ambassador”/ Snoop’s ”Candy”), J.R. Rotem (“Pain No More”/The Game’s “California Vacation”), and Lil’ Jon (“Break Ya Ankles”/“Snap Ya Fingaz”) all received free checks by dusting off an old Pro Tools session. These songs aren’t exceptions as almost every song can be seen as an interpolation of recent songs if one takes the time to rack their brain.
To his credit, E-40 makes the most of this literary endeavor, although it does begin to wear thin near the end of the album. He also tends to coast by tracing other songs established templates rather than creating a new mold. It’s just ironic that the role of ambassador that has helped E-40 reach a larger audience, he’s also lost a majority of what made him a unique artist to begin with. The Ball Street Journal is still a nice addition to his ever-expanding catalog, but will not be remembered as a decorated periodical.
Previously Posted – E-40 – “Earl,” “Wake-Up,” & “Got Rich Twice” Videos
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39 Comments
40 Water moderately succeeds in satisfying the multitude, by forsaking a cohesive album for a smorgasbord of styles and sounds
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Which is the same problem I had with his last album. Too much pandering to different audiences. For an artist who’s main draw is originality, this album sounds kinda formulaic to me.
Ah, wtf? Is this his album cover? I designed a cover exactly like this for the Paper Route Gangstaz for a school class last month.
E-40’s bitin mah shit! lol
Last one went gold. He was winning in the streets, radio, and clubs. This is like a rehashed version. Nothing really wrong with cloning something that was successful, but ain’t nothing like the real thang…uh huh…uh huh…
I don’t really get it. When someone talks about Jay or Big or whoever being able to cater to different audeinces its a good thing, but when it’s 40 its bad?
Jay & Big didn’t really crossover as much as they forced the mainstream to pay attention to them. When an artist starts reaching out for crossover appeal, following formulas, making strategic songs designed for particular markets, is when they lose.
couldn’t have said it better.
what’s the deal my weebilizations?! This cd ain’t as good as his last joint but it ain’t horrible… I can rock with 3 cigs…
P.S. WTF happened to LIl’ Jon?
3 is about right
I’mma go look for his 1st album “Federal”
nothing beats that O.G. Bay sound….
I swear, I can’t fuck with this new shit no matter what region or artist…’Ye, Com, E-Feezy…older music trumps the new shit all day urr day
shit was better back then when everything was regionalized and there wasn’t none of this cross-breeding, cross-pollinization, inter-mingling, and the sonic aesthetics were distinct….
also, the recording process and techniques back then made for a more “organic” (if you could call it that), fuller sound…probably cuz folks (that’s right, plural, not just one dude in a bedroom jacking off) had to be more hands on, and with analog equipment, not this impersonal tinny digital shit fools are using
E-Feezy gets mad respect from me, but i’m sorry, this album didn’t grab me from the get, and that’s what really good albums are supposed to do, same thing can be said for Common, and for most releases nowadays, 3-3.5 cigs is being generous…in my opinion, “cigs” have now replaced “mics”, TSS record reviews (for the most part) have more prestige & credibility….
another thing about record reviews: remember when The Source gave that one Lil Kim album 41/2 mics? yeah….please, don’t ever pull no shit like that, lol
“The Naked Truth” was a dope album. 4 cigs easy. I was just thinking about that album the other day & wondering what The Crew would give it if it were released today.
shit was better back then when everything was regionalized and there wasn’t none of this cross-breeding, cross-pollinization, inter-mingling, and the sonic aesthetics were distinct….
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Werd up. East Coast rap used to be East Coast rap, West Coast rap used to be West Coast rap, etc.
“When the fuck we start bouncin’?” (c) Cam’ron
“Ready To Die” was 4 1/2 (revised to 5)
anybody’s who a real hip-hop head knows that shit front to back, left to right
how the fuck did “The Naked Truth” get put on the same pedestal as RTD? lol don’t nobody know the words to Kim’s shit, lol
on another note, Amp…how was breakfast? got-dam stoner, half-baked-ass muhfucka, lol
P.S. WTF happened to LIl’ Jon?
______________________________________
two things happened
1) Dave Chappelle isn’t on tv
2) The eastside boys were his ghost producers
lol
oh I forgot 1
3) He sold his soul for a couple of albums instead for a career.
E-40 – “Federal” (1993)
http://www.linkbucks.com/link/7d394009
Tracklisting:
1 Drought Season (4:22)
2 Rat Heads (5:36)
3 Federal (4:57)
4 Outsmart The Po Po’s (4:25)
5 Hide-N-Seek (4:25)
6 Carlos Rossi (4:47)
7 Tanji II (3:43)
8 Let Him Have It (4:53)
9 Questions (0:40)
10 Extra Manish (4:03)
11 Get Em Up (3:49)
12 Nuttin Ass Nigga (4:17)
13 Rasta Funky Style (4:29)
14 Shots Out (4:28)
E-40 – “The Mail Man EP” (1994)
http://www.linkbucks.com/link/4de118b3
Tracklisting:
1 Neva Broke (5:00)
2 Bring The Yellow Tape (4:30)
3 Practice Lookin’ Hard (4:37)
4 Bonus Track: Ballin’ Outta Control (4:27)
Additional Vocals – Levitti
Guitar – Flat Top , Sam Bostic
Keyboards – Mike Mosley , Sam Bostic
Mixed By – D-Wiz
Producer – Mike Mosley , Sam Bostic
5 Where The Party At (4:54)
Featuring – Mossie, The
6 Captain Save A Hoe (4:47)
Featuring – Click, The (2)
7 The Mail Man (3:51)
8 Bonus Track: Captain Save A Hoe (Remix) (4:48)
Featuring – Click, The (2)
Teefus is gong hard with the vintage E-Feezy lol!
And just because nobody heard “The Naked Truth” doesn’t mean it’s any less of an album. She was just about to go upstate when the album came out & I guess Atlantic thought with all the trial coverage they didn’t have to spend duckets on promo. I still think it went gold. I went out & copped just to see what the fuss was. Kim’s finest album. Go back & listen to that joint. It may surprise you.
And yeah, I’m a proud member of the Stoner’s Club lol. I may be hit & miss depending on the potency of the herbals, but I always give an album a sober spin to see if I’m tripping. “The Living Truth” passed the test.
“The Naked Truth” was a dope album. 4 cigs easy. I was just thinking about that album the other day & wondering what The Crew would give it if it were released today
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For starters, The Source gave The Naked Truth 5 Mics. I can’t co-sign that but it wasn’t like it was COMPLETELY off the mark either. La Bella Mafia received 4.5 Mics when it should have got a 4. The Naked Truth is something like a 4.5…4.25 if we’re talking pinpoint accuracy.
For an album to be that long, with that many skits, and maintain its fluidity, is something remarkable.
That’s why she’s Ms. G.O.A.T.
Living, Nekkid, you get the point hehe…
Excuse the mistake…I’m having dinner lol.
& Lil’ Jon got production on this album
See: review.
^ Exactly. It’s not good. I think the time off has hurt Jon’s production skills. Soulja Boy can cook up a slapper better then Jon’s new batch of beats.
and…
For an album to be that long, with that many skits, and maintain its fluidity, is something remarkable.
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See, toldja lol. And you know if it was weak TC woulda called me out lol. I think the general rap audience doesn’t realy respect female MC’s & can’t see a female (outside of Ms. Hill) making a really dope album without co-signers & ghost writers.
The Mail Man is a classic…
But “In A Major Way?”
Crack.
“In A Major Way” & “Hall Of Game” are my favorite albums from 40. The 1st Click album had joints too.
Yo e-40 is an inspiration. He’s doing it and doing it big. You know who else is an inspiration…? Diddy? I know people don’t think so, but seriously think about it.
Take Diddy’s new project: Diddy’s new fragrance for men, I AM KING. It’s available only at Macy’s though so you gotta go there to get it. This shit is amazing. He doesn’t just make it about him. It’s about all of us!!! WE ARE ALL KINGS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zByX8-lZENY
Check it out. WE ARE ALL KINGS
^ That was real wack.
man, Lil Jon did a great fuckin’ job on “Tell Me When To Go”…i miss that dude
and since I’m on my “anything older is better” kick…I might have to check out “The Naked Truth”
Lil’ Kim – “The Naked Truth” (2005)
part 1: http://www.linkbucks.com/link/6f2fc9bb
part 2: http://www.linkbucks.com/link/2de56aa9
Lil’ Kim – “La Bella Mafia” (2003)
http://www.linkbucks.com/link/373efcac
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E-40 – “In A Major Way” (1995)
http://www.linkbucks.com/link/fbf6f444
http://www.linkbucks.com/link/a58b6373
Tracklisting:
1 Intro (1:44)
Producer – Mike Mosley , Sam Bostic
2 Chip In Da Phone (0:14)
Producer – E-40
3 Da Bumble (4:11)
Producer – Mike Mosley , Sam Bostic
4 Sideways (4:25)
Producer – Funk Daddy
Rap [Featuring] – B-Legit , Mac Shawn
5 Spittin’ (4:41)
Producer – Studio Ton
6 Sprinkle Me (4:10)
Producer – Mike Mosley , Sam Bostic
Rap [Featuring] – Suga T
7 Outta Bounds (0:41)
Producer – E-40
8 Dusted ‘n’ Disgusted (4:30)
Producer – Mike Mosley , Sam Bostic
Rap [Featuring] – 2Pac , Mac Mall , Spice 1
9 1-Luv (5:08)
Producer – Studio Ton
Vocals [Featuring] – Levitti
10 Smoke ‘n Drank (4:17)
Co-producer – Samuel Stephens
Producer – Kevin Gardner , Redwine
11 Dey Ain’t No (4:31)
Producer – Studio Ton
12 Fed Ex (5:12)
Producer – Funk Daddy
Rap [Featuring] – Suga T
13 H.I. Double L. (4:43)
Producer – Studio Ton
14 Bootsee (4:16)
Producer – Studio Ton
15 It’s All Bad (3:28)
Producer – Funk Daddy
Vocals [Featuring] – Earl Stevens, Jr.
16 Outro (2:26)
Producer – Studio Ton
Schweet linkage, Teef!
Good lookin’!
^ I just realized…AYO!!!
lol
that Diddy cologne might be a good cover up for that dank scent
after Febreze
E-40 – “Mr. Flamboyant” (1990 or 1991)
http://www.linkbucks.com/link/ea626444
Tracklisting:
A-1 Mr Flamboyant (RAP)
A-2 Tanji
A-3 Club Hoppin’
B-1 Shut It Down
B-2 Tanji
B-3 Club Hoppin’
E-40 – (unreleased album? 2002? listen to it & you make the call)
http://www.linkbucks.com/link/fd2fa81a
^ Exactly. It’s not good. I think the time off has hurt Jon’s production skills. Soulja Boy can cook up a slapper better then Jon’s new batch of beats
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The time off ain’t hurt his production skills – all the beats are the same as what he’s done in the past.
^ So either you’re saying I’m off in saying the new stuff is weak OR his shit’s been basura all along….
E-40 Cliff’s Notes….lol
E-40 – “The Best Of E-40: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” (2004)
http://www.linkbucks.com/link/63b8b5bc
what a gay title, I didn’t even know they put out an official best of compilation…this might not even be official, but what the hell
i just want my old Hall Of Game 40 Wata back
The Bay Area gave birth to some of the world’s best Street Fighter II players, lol
I’m saying he has one trick and he’s beaten it to death. It sounded good because it was new & now it basura (as you say) because we’ve heard it a 1000 times beforre.
Sorta like the fool me once/twice saying that I can’t quite articulate at the moment.
^ yeah, what him said
http://www.zshare.net/audio/5219447696b2c198/
Off my tape – SO FAR GONE
Drake – Say You Will