Earl Stevens, (born November 15, 1967) better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the Bay Area rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records.
After a talent show at Grambling State University, E-40 and his cousin B-Legit decided to attempt a career in rap. They moved back to Vallejo and teamed up with D-Shot, E-40's brother, to form the group Most Valuable Players. E-40's gospel singing uncle (Saint Charles) helped them put out the record.[2] E-40's sister, Suga T, was then added to the group to form The Click.[3] E-40's solo debut album, Federal, was released in 1993, and The Click's debut album came out in 1994. E-40's 1995 solo album In a Major Way opened him up to a wider audience. He began working with rappers beyond the Bay Area in 1998 and rose to even higher mainstream popularity in 2006 with his hyphy single "Tell Me When to Go".