One thing that's different about Bay Area radio (at least in comparison to LA) is that we support our artists. If you're ever up North, turn your dial to 106.1 and I guarantee you'll hear a multitude of local rappers that get absolutely no play outside the region, such as Turf Talk, The Federation, Frontline, San Quinn, Messy Marv, Richie Rich, Keak da Sneak, The Team, Ya Boy, and (pause for breath) the Ambassador of the Bay himself, E-40 Fonzarelli. Now I've been a fan of 40 for years, and I have great respect for his hustle, his energy and his endlessly inventive slang, but while I was in the Bay last week I was reminded of another of his talents: the guy has the ability to make any bad song enjoyable. Some E-40 purists have decried Earl's readiness to jump on any song in hopes of expanding his audience, but I for one am grateful that when a shitty song comes on the radio (ala Lil' Scrappy's "Oh Yeah") I know it'll be listenable at least for the duration of 40's cameo. Case in point is the remix of Dallas rapper Tum Tum's "Cadillac Muzik," which I was lucky enough to hear while I was ridin' in my scraper (OK, my minivan) last week.
Tum Tum - Caprice Musik (Remix) feat. E-40 & Rick Ross
Now, Caprice Musik is not a good song. Its beat is almost criminally simple, and Tum sure doesn't help anything with his nonsensical raps and background yelps. (And don't get me started about this video.) Nevertheless, when 40 jumps on the song—dare I say this—it actually gets good. Its minimalism becomes a strength, you notice that it kinda knocks with the bass up, and you find yourself hanging on 40's every word as he totally dominates the track. Then Ross comes in and you're right back at mediocrity. When you really think about it, it's a pretty remarkable phenomenon. Dude is so engaging that production becomes almost a non-issue. That's pretty crazy in a genre where the caliber of a rapper's beats can make or break his career (hold your head up, Canibus.) So if you're not gonna respect 40 for his self-made status, his commercial relevancy at age 39 (!), or his never-ending support for his region, at least give the man some credit for bringing integrity to even the wackest of songs. As commercial rap continues to go to shit, we need more rappers like 40 to soothe our suffering ears. Somebody get him on the "Lip Gloss" remix, quick!
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Bonus: Two other garbage joints made brilliant by 40 appearances. The second one's a couple years old.
DJ Unk - 2 Step (Remix) feat. T-Pain, E-40 & Jim Jones
Trillville - I'm Pimpin' feat. E-40
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