Rap legend E-40 still commands an uncanny level of attention and respect after being in the game for almost 30 years. A strong example of 40 Water’s ability to hold our attention is “Somebody,” the newest visual from Book 1 of his 2016 double-album The D-Boy Diaries Book 1 & 2 produced by ProHoeZak. “Somebody” finds E-40 screening clips of his historic career in a gorgeous theater, pensively observing his life story from a balcony seat. Ricco Barrino who is known for his feature on the Colonel Loud “California” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYdoQ6DZ3F4 alongside of T.I. and Young Dolph delivers soaring, emotive vocals throughout. Undeniably related to award winning artists Anthony Hamilton as well as Jodeci’s KC and JoJo, Barrino reflects on his inspiration and motivation behind “Somebody.” “When you pray for something, envision it happening, prepare yourself and then it happens, you know it’s GOD. It was always a dream of mine to work with the man E-40 so when he called and told me he knew I could do it he really gave me the extra confidence that sealed the deal. It’s nothing like waiting the longest to do a service with another solid individual to create greatness,” says Ricco Barrino.
On “Somebody,” E-40 reflects on the decisions he’s made throughout his life. The song is a homage to Freddie Jackson’s “Have You Ever Loved Somebody.” “The boy Rico Barrino came up with the hook. In this song, I’m somebody trying to be somebody, says 40, not so much as a rapper, but as an ordinary guy. I’m talking about – should I buy a food truck, should I get in the tech world and create an app? Where am I going in life in life with this shit? I’m playing the narrator. “Got a couple of kids to raise/So it’s a Catch-23/Should I get a job/Or go back to pushin’ the D?/Should I call my plug/And ask him to front me a key?/Should I get my recommendation/Papers for trees.”
Back in 2016, E-40 landed three new albums on the Billboard 200 simultaneously, including Book 1, Book 2, and the 44-track Deluxe Edition. All three also placed in the top 20 of Billboard’s Indie and R&B/Hip-Hop Charts and reached the top ten of the Rap Chart. The D-Boy Diary earned much of its success from streaming, with key playlist placements, including “Puttin’ In Work” on Spotify’s New Music Friday and “Savage” on the popular Rap Caviar, leading to over 2 million Spotify streams in one week. The album’s success followed a dizzying press tour, including appearances on ESPN’s Jalen and Jacobyand Shade45’s Sway in the Morning, anda revealing Facebook Live session withMashable. The very same year, E-40 celebrated even more chart success as two singles, “Choices” and “Function,” received Gold certifications from the RIAA. With four decades in the rap game and a flourishing adult beverage empire, E-40 is the young rapper’s sensei, his glorious, ever-evolving career in the music business as the teachings. The D-BoyDiary Books 1 & 2 is currently available to stream and purchase on the DSP of your choice.
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