E-40 begins Black Music Month with his captivating Tiny Desk concert

NPR Music started its Black Music Month series on June 2, 2025, with a Tiny Desk Concert with Bay Area hip-hop veteran E-40. He was a pioneer of the hyphy movement for 30 years, and this short performance gave fans a glimpse of how he has changed hip-hop culture over the years.

E-40, together with an eight-piece band, played a show that included both his older songs and his most recent chart-topping successes. This and the influence he had on fans show that he is a brilliant musician.

E-40's Tiny Desk concert marks the start of Black Music Month: More details

E-40, whose real name is Earl Stevens, and who was born in Vallejo, California, started his solo career in the early 1990s. His big break came with the release of In a Major Way (1995), an album that cemented his position in West Coast rap and introduced his unique way of using slang.

E-40 and other Bay Area rappers like Too Short and Mac Dre had a big impact on the hyphy movement. This movement had a distinct native language, strong dancing moves, and fast beats. In the next thirty years, he put out more than twenty studio albums, worked with musicians from many other genres, and inspired a new generation of rap artists.

He stayed popular in the 2000s and 2010s by changing with the times in music. Songs like Tell Me When to Go (2006) and Choices (Yup) (2010) became anthems for the Bay Area and became famous again, owing to social media, which introduced his work to a new audience.

In addition to music, he started a company by starting the label Sick Wid It Records, making a successful line of wines (including his Mangoscato brand), and working with others on ventures ranging from energy drinks to real estate.

Tiny Desk concert

The first song E-40 played at the Tiny Desk was "Da Bumble" from the album In a Major Way, which made long-time fans feel nostalgic. Later, he went on to classics like "Sprinkle Me" and "1-Luv," where he showed off his storytelling skills and distinctive rhythm. He performed "Tell Me When to Go" and "Choices (Yup)" halfway through the show. These songs are now linked to the hyphy era and have become viral hits again.

Bosko Kante (bass and backing vocals) and Kev Choice (keyboards) assembled an impressive eight-piece band that includes guitarist Martin Luther, saxophonist/EWI player Howard Wiley, DJ KMP, percussionist Johnson Gaye, and drummer Jabor "Godson Gassin." This group of musicians performed real instruments with E-40's rap lyrics, demonstrating NPR's continued commitment to providing authentic hip-hop musical arrangements.

Congress started Black Music Month in 1979, and every June, the accomplishments of Black musicians in all kinds of music, from blues to jazz to R&B to hip-hop, are celebrated. The Tiny Desk series on NPR regularly shows performers whose work shows the spirit of these traditions.

The rapper's Tiny Desk performance during Black Music Month looked at how Black music has changed over time, from the local hip-hop scene to its national impact. It also showcased how different genres from different parts of the country add to a common musical history.

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E-40 casually sipped his Mangoscato-flavored wine during a short break between songs, adding that it was available at Costco. Some people would think this is a marketing stunt, but the event revealed how his financial interests are closely tied to his artistic persona.

E-40's Tiny Desk Concert on June 2, 2025, was more than simply a show. It was a celebration of a career that changed West Coast hip-hop for more than 30 years. We could witness how his work changed over time via his carefully chosen setlist, live-band arrangements, and real conversations.

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