We had a pleasant time this morning at Tillie's. It was a great way to conclude the semester. Al was there along with Howard, Jay, Latrice, and Chantha. Zareth dropped her portfolio off. Poor thing was very sick. Hope she rests up in Georgia over the holidays. Also, Cristina had a family emergency. Her aunt died. We want to extend our condolences to her. She turned in her work earlier this week. Her essay on E-40 has changed quite a bit Latrice. I'll post it later in the comment section here.
Latrice's presentation on the Ella Baker Center, more specifically the program geared to address the violence in Oakland and beyond, was insightful. I liked the article she clipped to share with us about the more recent program connected to the campaign--a memorial for the youth killed this year. She was knowledgeable about her topic which showed in the ease with which she talked about it. She also had an outline for us, as did Chantha.
Chantha had a lot to share. It's too bad neither Latrice or Chantha had anything tangible to share with us. It would have been nice to hear some of the music the kids are mixing at Cov records, or to see some of Favianna Rodriquez's work.
Howard's presentation on another founder of East Side Arts Alliance, Greg, was good. He didn't ask Greg where he was from, or if he was an artist, which in fact he is, although he curates art exhibits now, rather than making art.
Al and Jay will present on Friday morning at my English 201 final: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in L-235. If you have not turned in your portfolio it needs to be in no later than 12noon Friday, Dec. 21. I'll be in my office reading. We took pictures. I'll post them later when I get home. I'm still here at the college.
I enjoyed your presence in the class and hope to see you around the campus next year. MC Super Natural will be at Slim's in San Francisco tomorrow evening. I think I might go. It's $20. Def Jam Poets will open for him. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Latrice's presentation on the Ella Baker Center, more specifically the program geared to address the violence in Oakland and beyond, was insightful. I liked the article she clipped to share with us about the more recent program connected to the campaign--a memorial for the youth killed this year. She was knowledgeable about her topic which showed in the ease with which she talked about it. She also had an outline for us, as did Chantha.
Chantha had a lot to share. It's too bad neither Latrice or Chantha had anything tangible to share with us. It would have been nice to hear some of the music the kids are mixing at Cov records, or to see some of Favianna Rodriquez's work.
Howard's presentation on another founder of East Side Arts Alliance, Greg, was good. He didn't ask Greg where he was from, or if he was an artist, which in fact he is, although he curates art exhibits now, rather than making art.
Al and Jay will present on Friday morning at my English 201 final: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in L-235. If you have not turned in your portfolio it needs to be in no later than 12noon Friday, Dec. 21. I'll be in my office reading. We took pictures. I'll post them later when I get home. I'm still here at the college.
I enjoyed your presence in the class and hope to see you around the campus next year. MC Super Natural will be at Slim's in San Francisco tomorrow evening. I think I might go. It's $20. Def Jam Poets will open for him. Doors open at 8 p.m.
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 7:17 PM
1 Comments:
I HAVE POSTED THE LAST TWO DRAFTS OF THIS ESSAY. I WISH I HAD THE FIRST DRAFT TO SHOW YOU. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE EARLIEST DRAFT AND THIS ONE IS STRIKING. LATRICE, YOU PROBABLY REMEMBER THE FIRST DRAFT BECAUSE YOU WERE THERE WHEN WE SHARED. I'D LIKE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS FINAL DRAFT.
CRISTINA IS A GREAT WRITER AND A GREAT RESEARCHER. YOU CAN'T SEE HER LIST OF SOURCES, BUT THERE ARE SEVEN. ONE CAN SEE THIS IN THE WAY SHE INCORPORATES HER RESEARCH INTO THE ESSAY AND THE WAY SHE PERSONALIZES THE PAPER SO THAT BY THE END OF THE DISCOURSE, E-40 IS A PRESENCE WE CAN SEE, FEEL AND HEAR.
I made a few more revisions (as you requested) on the 5th and 6th paragraph and a few minor ones that you requested as well --Cristina Pacio TO ME
Cristina Pacio
12/12/2007
Professor Sabir
English1A
M-Th, 11-12
Entrepreneur/Philanthropist: Earl Stevens, Ambassador of the Bay (FINAL DRAFT)
What does Entrepreneur mean to you? To me, it is an individual who owns, operates, and takes risk of starting a business venture. It is a person who creates a new organization, or idea to make profit. These days many actors and actresses, music stars, talk show hosts, record producers, film directors and others have gone beyond their craft and built businesses that are bigger than themselves. Some of the world’s wealthiest and famous entrepreneurs include Russell Simmons: Entrepreneur and Hip-Hop Mogul, Hugh Hefner; The Ultimate Lifestyle Entrepreneur, Walt Disney: The Man Behind the Mouse, Simon Cowell; Music Mogul Millionaire, and last but not least Oprah Winfrey; About.com Readers’ Most Admired Entrepreneur. Another newcomer in our time is a rapper by the name of Earl Stevens, who has ventured out in the business world as well.
E-40 is a well-known rapper from the Bay Area. The “40” in “E-40” was chosen by Earl as a reference to “40s”-- 40 ounce bottles of malt liquor. The “E” was simply derived from Earl’s name. His mother gave him this idea. Earl had several other nicknames such as Dr. Scrill, E-Feezy or Forty Water, Earl “Jack Yo Slacks” Stevens (when he’s executive-producing something), Mr. Flamboyant, the Mail Man, and T.K.A. -- that’s “Tycoon Known As”-- Charlie Hustle, “Ambassador of the Bay” and the “King of Slang”. Although Earl has many names, “Pops” is the name he’s called most often.
Earl was born November 15, 1967. Growing up in the Pleasant Hill area of Vallejo, California, Earl had to deal with adolescent issues early on in his life including the trauma of his parents' separation at the age of eight. Like any other child who’s ever had to deal with this type of predicament in life, he learned to deal with it and looked past the negativity. Throughout elementary and high school, Earl participated in music programs where his love for music grew. He then attended Hogan High School in Vallejo where he joined a drum line. After graduating high school, he attended Grambling State University in New Orleans, Louisiana. After a success in a talent show one day at Grambling State University, E-40 and his cousin B-Legit decided to attempt a career in rap. Both teamed up with D-Shot, E-40’s brother, to form the group Most Valuable Players. E-40’s uncle, who was a gospel singer, then helped them put out the record. His sister, Suga T, was then added to the group to form The Click. This was the start of E-40’s stardom.
Since then E-40 has released over ten albums, including those with The Click. He has also appeared on numerous movie soundtracks and has guest appearances on a host of other rap albums. His unique, distinctive voice and rapid lyrical delivery have resulted in collaborations with many other hip-hop stars such as Murs from the Living Legends, Spice 1, Snoop Dogg, Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Lil Scrappy, Hurricane Chris, T-Pain, Jim Jones and many other popular hip hop artists. After completing a deal with Jive Records, he signed with Lil Jon’s BME Recordings and Warner Bros. Records. His single “Tell Me When To Go” featuring Keak Da Sneak became popular throughout the United States. E-40 also appeared on MTV’s Direct Effect and BET’s 106 and Park. Publicity for E-40 and the Hyphy Movement was achieved through the MTV special My Block: The Bay. He later released “U And Dat” in April 2006 featuring T-Pain and Kandi Girl which was produced by Lil Jon. His album “My Ghetto Report Card” debuted at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number three on the Billboard Hot 100 on the 14th of March 2006. Released through Sick Wid It/BME/Warner Bros. Records, the album was produced by Lil Jon, Rick Rock, and E-40’s son, Droop-E. He has also featured on DJ Shadow’s new album The Outsider, on a track called “Dat’s My Part”. In 2006, he appeared on Tech Nine’s Everready: The Religion CD on a track titled “Jellysickle”. In that same year, he contributed a verse to the official remix of “It’s Okay (One Blood)” by fellow West coast rapper The Game along with twenty four other MCs including Slim Thug, Jim Jones, Jadakiss, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, Twista and Ja Rule and other various hip-hop artists.
At first glance, E-40 looks like a big teddy bear with a confident look on his face. He is an African American with a round face and a caramel complexion. Besides his signature pose on most photographs you see on the web or magazines today, is his reader glasses, held in front of his nose with the thumb and index finger holding the frame. Under his tilted baseball cap, he has a head full of short dreads, sometimes called locks. He is most often seen today with a clean shaven goatee and a light moustache that comes around the side of his lips. E-40's wardrobe is quite simple, in the sense that it consists of designer tees, loose jeans, and clean tennis shoes. Standing 6 feet 1 inches tall, he wouldn't be hard to miss when he walks into a room.
Growing up in 1996, I remember the song "Rapper's Ball," from his album The Hall of Game; this song would always play on the radio. The song features K-Ci from K-Ci and Jojo and rapper Too $hort. They were two (and still are) the biggest rappers representing the Bay Area on the same track. On this track you can see how E-40 can turn simple words into E-40 “lingo”. Here is a line from “Rapper’s Ball”, “I’m always hearin rappers big ballin on they songs / I do that shit for real and you’ll never say I’m wrong.”, this suggests that his (E-40) style cannot be compared to other rappers. E-40 differs from other lyricists. While many rappers vary the speed at which they rap by song, E-40 often changes pace several times during one song, including his rhythmic pace. He also varies the pitch in his voice often, and is able to raise his voice high. He uses similes and metaphors in his rap. This technique can be seen in lines such as: “Fools be tryin’ to hit me, like a porno website” (from Gas, Break Dip song), “Like McCormicks, I’m seasoned” (from Yay Area song), and “My yayper is long and lengthy, like Peja Stojakovic.” (from Tell Me When To Go).
In addition to success within the music industry, E-40 has also featured in films such as Three Strikes, a comedy flick (similar to Ice Cube’s movie, Friday) that came out in 2001. In this movie E-40 made a brief appearance as Mike, helping his friend in trouble with the law. He also appeared in the movie Dead Heist, a horror flick that was released earlier this year (August 2007). In this movie, E-40 plays a bigger role as an underground entrepreneur by the name of “Hustle” -- who agrees to finance a job under the condition that four thieves bring along a former military vet/ex-con who works for Hustle, to make sure the job goes smoothly.
Aside from the music and movie industry, E-40 also dedicates his time by hosting a weekly radio show on San Francisco’s hip-hop radio station KMEL called “E-Feezy,” broadcast from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on most Sunday afternoons. The show focuses on local talent and interviews with celebrities. He also has a segment called “Movie Week” where E-40 reviews the week’s releases. Currently, E-40 is working on his new album The Ball Street Journal which was supposed to be released August of 2007. In September 2007, Warner Bros. Records announced that the album would be released in early 2008.
E-40 has ventured out into other business opportunities as well. In the past, he has invested in real estate and in the early ‘90s helped manage a family-run clothing store in Vallejo. Last July 2006, along with former Oakland Raider lineman Chester McGlockton opened the first Northern California franchise of the Santa Monica chain Fatburger in downtown Pleasant Hill; they planned to open nine more in the Bay Area (the cities include Palo Alto, San Mateo, Cupertino, Redwood City, Milpitas, San Jose and other cities to be determined). He also recently authored the book, E-40’s Book of Slang which will help the uninformed understand all the popular Hip Hop “lingos” (slangs) that are popularly being used these days in and out of the music Hip Hop industry. This is to be published by Warner Books. E-40 also has his own line of liquor called Cloud 9, and has also partnered up with Glaceau brand Vitamin Water for his own vitamin enhanced water called "40 Water." Not only that, he has also opened a nightclub called Ambassador’s Lounge in Downtown San Jose that plays hip hop. He has also performed there a few times to promote his club.
Earl has come a long way to get to where he’s at right now. He has succeeded in so many ways and will continue to do so in the long run. Not only is he a successful rapper and business man, he’s also doing good deeds to help out his community. In an interview with CBS, Tina Jamias, a drum line instructor at Hogan High told the reporter, “[Our] equipment is really outdated and when we compete against other schools the kids can get embarrassed. They don’t have the equipment they deserve.” When E-40 heard about the drum line’s problem, he offered to help. He donated $12,000 to his old High School when vandals destroyed their band equipment. E-40 said in an interview, “If I didn’t have my start in the drum line I wouldn’t be where I am today. Music is real for me. I want people to know that it’s cool to be in the band because there is such a shortage of musicians nowadays. Music stimulates the mind, and it’s therapeutic and healing. People need to realize the importance of music programs in public schools – I played in the band growing up, Too $hort played, and Dallas Austin did too.”(CBS) With his commitment to public education, not only is he encouraging young aspiring students to join music programs, he is also showing proof that if he (E-40 and other successful artists such as Too $hort) can succeed by using the tools that are offered in public schools, anyone can do it.
Before I began researching the life of E-40, I only knew of him as “E-40, the rapper from the Bay Area.” Today he is to me an artist, rapper, actor, successful business man, philanthropist, role model, and a pioneer in the hip-hop community. There is no other artist like him that can produce such creativity and originality in music. I don’t think rap would be the same if Hip Hop didn’t have an E-40. He said "Rapping brought me into the entertainment game, once I got in, my eyes got bigger. As a business man I get the best of both worlds and the privileges of working and reaping the benefits at the best time in my career." (Allhiphop.com)
YOUR WORKS CITED IS IMPRESSIVE! YOU HAVE AN A GRADE ON THE PAPER.
The following attachment is my revised essay for the research project. In this paper, I added a description of his characteristics/appearance and his style in rap along with a song (just as you requested). This can be found in the 5th and 6th paragraph. In the last paragraph, I included him as a philanthropist as well.
Cristina Pacio
12/12/2007
Professor Sabir
English1A
M-Th, 11-12
Entrepreneur/Philanthropist: Earl Stevens, Ambassador of the Bay [w1]
What does Entrepreneur mean to you? To me, it is an individual who owns, operates, and takes THE risk of starting a business venture. It—HE? is a person who creates a new organization, or idea to make profit. These days many actors and actresses, music stars, talk show hosts, record producers, film directors and others have gone beyond their craft and built businesses that are bigger than themselves [w2] . Some of the world's wealthiest and famous entrepreneurs include Russell Simmons: Entrepreneur and Hip-Hop Mogul, Hugh Hefner; The Ultimate Lifestyle Entrepreneur , Walt Disney: The Man Behind the Mouse, Simon Cowell; Music Mogul Millionaire, and last but not least Oprah Winfrey; About.com Readers' Most Admired Entrepreneur. Another newcomer in our time is a rapper by the name of Earl Stevens, who has ventured out in the business world as well.
E-40 is a well-known rapper from the Bay Area. The "40" in "E-40" was chosen by Earl as a reference to "40s"-- 40 ounce bottles of malt liquor. The "E" was simply derived from Earl's name. His mother gave him this idea. Earl had several other nicknames such as Dr. Scrill, E-Feezy or Forty Water, Earl "Jack Yo Slacks" Stevens (when he's executive-producing something), Mr. Flamboyant, the Mail Man, and T.K.A. -- that's "Tycoon Known As"-- Charlie Hustle, "Ambassador of the Bay" and the "King of Slang". Although Earl has many names, "Pops" is the name he's called mo st often.
Earl was born November 15, 1967. Growing up in the Pleasant Hill area of Vallejo, California, Earl had to deal with adolescent issues early on in his life including the trauma of his parents' separation at the age of eight. Like any other child who's ever had to deal with this type of predicament in life, he learned to deal with it and looked past the negativity. Throughout elementary and high school, Earl participated in music programs where his love for music grew. He then attended Hogan High School in Vallejo where he joined a drum line. After graduating high school, he attended Grambling State University in New Orleans, Louisiana. After a success in a talent show one day at Grambling State University, E-40 and his cousin B-Legit decided to attempt a career in rap. Both teamed up with D-Shot, E-40's brother, to form the group Most Valuable Players. E-40's uncle, who was a gospel singer, then helped them put out the record. His sister, Suga T, was then added to the group to form The Click. This was the start of E-40's stardom.
Since then E-40 has released over ten albums, including those with The Click. He has also appeared on numerous movie soundtracks and has guest appearances on a host of other rap albums. His unique, distinctive voice and rapid lyrical delivery have resulted in collaborations with many other hip-hop stars such as Murs from the Living Legends, Spice 1, Snoop Dogg, Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Lil Scrappy, Hurricane Chris, T-Pain, Jim Jones and many other popular hip hop artists. After completing a deal with Jive Records, he signed with Lil Jon's BME Recordings and Warner Bros. Records. His single "Tell Me When To Go" featuring Keak Da Sneak became popular throughout the United States. E-40 also appeared on MTV's Direct Effect and BET's 106 and Park. Publicity for E-40 and the Hyphy Movement was achieved through the MTV special My Block: The Bay. He later released "U And Dat" in April 2006 featuring T-Pain and Kandi Girl which was produced by Lil Jon. His album "My Ghetto Report Card" debuted at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number three on the Billboard Hot 100 on the 14th of March 2006. Released through Sick Wid It/BME/Warner Bros. Records, the album was produced by Lil Jon, Rick Rock, and E-40's son, Droop-E. He has also featured on DJ Shadow' s new album The Outsider, on a track called "Dat's My Part". In 2006, he appeared on Tech Nine's Everready: The Religion CD on a track titled "Jellysickle". In that same year, he contributed a verse to the official remix of "It's Okay (One Blood)" by fellow West coast rapper The Game along with twenty four other MCs including Slim Thug, Jim Jones, Jadakiss, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, Twista and Ja Rule and other various hip-hop artists.
At first glance, E-40 looks like a big teddy bear with a confident look on his face. Most notably, BESIDES his signature pose on most photographs you see on the web or magazines today, is his reader glasses, held in front of his nose with the thumb and index finger holding the frame. Under his tilted baseball cap, he has a head full of short dreads COMMA or—DELETE sometimes called locks. He is most often seen today with a clean shaven goatee and a light moustache that comes around the side of his lips. E-40's wardrobe is quite simple, in the sense that it consists of designer tees, loose jeans, and clean tennis shoes. Standing 6 feet 1 inches tall, he wouldn't be hard to miss when he walks into a room. IS HE DARK COMPLEXIONED OR LIGHT? IS HE AFRICAN AMERICAN OR OF SOME OTHER ANCESTRY?
Growing up in 1996, I remember the song "Rapper's Ball," from his album The Hall of Game, RUN-ON, USE A SEMI-COLON OR A PERIOD this song would always play on the radio. The song features K-Ci from K-Ci and Jojo and rapper Too Short. SPELL WITH THE DOLLAR SIGN AS AN "S" They were two (and still are) the biggest rappers representing the Bay Area on the same track. On this track you can see how E-40 can transform his lyrics into phrases WHAT DO YOU MEAN? that are commonly used and heard today. TAKE FOR EXAMPLE: E-40 differs from other lyricists. While many rappers vary the speed at which they rap by song,? E-40 often changes pace several times during one song. DO YOU MEAN CHANGES THE RHYTHMIC PACE? READ A FEW REVIEWS OF HIS MUSIC TO GET SOME LANGUAGE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IT IS HE DOES He also varies the pitch of—IN HIS VOICE his voice very—DELETE. SEE ELEMENTS OF STYLE often, and is able to raise his voice very high— DO YOU MEAN HIT THE HIGH NOTES OR OCTAVES RESERVED FOR TENORS AND WOMEN? HE USES The use of similes and metaphors are used in his rap. This technique can be seen in lines such as: "Fools be tryin' to hit me, like a porno website" (from Gas, Break Dip song), "Like McCormicks, I'm seasoned" (from Yay Area song), and "My yayper is long and lengthy, like Peja Stojakovic." (from Tell Me When To Go song). [w3]
In addition to success within the music industry, E-40 has also featured in films such as Three Strikes [w4] , a comedy flick (similar to Ice Cube's movie, Friday) that came out in 2001. In this movie E-40 made a brief appearance as "Mike," helping his friend in trouble with the law. He also appeared in the movie Dead Heist, a horror flick that was released earlier this year (August 2007). In this movie, E-40 plays a bigger role as an underground entrepreneur by the name of Hustle USE QUOTATIONS MARKS AROUND THE NAME. CHECK HACKER TO SEE IF THIS IS CORRECT. YOU CAN ALSO CHECK A PUBLISHED REVIEW -- who agrees to bankroll--SLANG a job under the condition that four thieves bring along a former military vet/ex-con-SLANG who works for Hustle, to make sure the job goes smoothly. USE STANDARD ENGLISH
Aside from the music and movie industry, E-40 also dedicates his time by-PREP hosting a weekly radio show on San Francisco's hip-hop radio station KMEL called "E-Feezy", PUT THE COMMA INSIDE THE QUOTATION MARKS broadcast from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on most Sunday afternoons. The show focuses on local talent and interviews with celebrities. He also has a segment called "Movie Week" where E-40 reviews the week's releases. Currently, E-40 is working on his new album The Ball Street Journal which was supposed to be released August of 2007. In September 2007, Warner Bros. Records announced that the album would be released in early 2008.
E-40 has ventured out into other business opportunities as well. In the past, he has invested in real estate and in the early '90s helped manage a family-run clothing store in Vallejo. Last July 2006, along with former Oakland Raider lineman Chester McGlockton opened the first Northern California franchise of the Santa Monica chain Fatburger in downtown Pleasant Hill; they planned to open nine more in the Bay Area (the cities include Palo Alto, San Mateo, Cupertino, Redwood City, Milpitas, San Jose and other cities to be determined). He also recently authored the book, E-40's Book of Slang which will help the uninformed understand all the popular Hip Hop "lingos" (slangs) that are popularly be ing used these days in and out of the music Hip Hop industry. This is to be published by Warner Books. E-40 also has his own line of liquor called Cloud 9, and has also partnered up with Glaceau brand Vitamin Water for his own vitamin enhanced water called "40 Water." Not only that, he has also opened a nightclub called Ambassador's Lounge in Downtown San Jose. WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO THEY PLAY THERE? DOES HE PERFORM?
Earl has come a long way to get to where he's at right now. He has succeeded in so many ways and will continue to do so in the long run. Not only is he a successful rapper and business man, he's also doing good deeds to help out his community. In an interview with CBS, Tina Jamias, a drum line instructor at Hogan High told the reporter, "[Our] equipment is really outdated and when we compete against other schools the kids can get embarrassed. They don't have the equipment they deserve." When E-40 heard about the drum line's problem, he offered to help. He donated $12,000 to his old High School when va ndals destroyed their band equipment. E-40 said in an interview, "If I didn't have my start in the drum line I wouldn't be where I am today. Music is real for me. I want people to know that it's cool to be in the band because there is such a shortage of musicians nowadays. Music stimulates the mind, and it's therapeutic and healing. People need to realize the importance of music programs in public schools – I played in the band growing up, Too $hort played, and Dallas Austin did too."(CBS) With his commitment to public education, not only is he encouraging young aspiring students to join music programs, he is also showing proof that if he (E-40 and other successful artists such as Too $hort) can succeed by using t he tools that are offered in public schools, anyone can do it.
Before I began researching the life of E-40, I only knew of him as "E-40, the rapper from the Bay Area." Today he is to me an artist, rapper, actor, successful business man, philanthropist, role model, and a pioneer in the hip-hop community. There is no other artist like him that can produce such creativity and originality in music. I don't think rap would be the same if Hip Hop didn't have an E-40.
He said: "Rapping brought me into the entertainment game, once I got in, my eyes got bigger. As a business man I get the best of both worlds and the privileges of working and reaping the benefits at the best time in my career." WHERE DID YOU READ THIS?
________________________________________
[w1]A LOT BETTER. YOU HAVE A B/R- ANSWER THE QUESTIONS I POSE. I STILL DON'T HEAR ANY SONGS. WHY ARE YOU RESISTANT TO LETTING HIM SING IN THIS PAPER? THE WRITING IS GOOD AND YOU HAVE TAKEN MY SUGGESTIONS WELL. I LIKE ALL THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, ESP. THE INTRODUCTION.
[w2]VERY NICE CRISTINA!
[w3]GOOD USE OF EXAMPLES
[w4]SEE HACKER RE: TITLES OF MOVIES
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