E-40 got his start in the late 80s as an independent artist, ultimately creating the blueprint for indie artists, regardless of region. While he previously released Mr. Flamboyant, The Mail Man and Federal, his major breakthrough came with 1995's In A Major Way. Of course, since then he's released a slew of albums, helping to define the sound of the Bay, and showcasing his versatility. Most recently, he formed a super group alongside Ice Cube, Too Short, and Snoop Dogg, Mount Westmore — they dropped their self-titled debut late last year.
Beyond music, E-40 recently received an honorary doctorate from his old stomping grounds, Grambling State University.
“This means so much to me – I’ve come a long way,” he said, per a press release. “I want to thank God first and foremost. This is a great honor to accept this honorary doctorate in music. I would live to express my appreciation to the administration and the academic community at Grambling State University. I’d also like to thank my family, my friends, and my colleagues for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout my career. As you know, music has been a lifelong passion of mine and it’s an incredible privilege to be recognized for my contributions to the industry, especially on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop music. They said it wouldn’t last that long, but it’s been 50 years.”
