E-40 is a self-proclaimed "O.G." in the rap game and has been around since the early days and has an old school following from his G-Funk days. His group "The Click" consists of his brother, cousin and his sister; D-shot, B-legit, & Suga-T. His other brother Mugzi (aka Young Mugzi) has a group called the Mossie, consisting of himself, Kaveo, and Tap Dat Azz. E-40 also brought his nephew into the rap game, and is a well known bay area artists named "Turf Talk". His son "Droop-E" is now a Bay Area hyphy producer and makes uptempo beats packed with major 808 kick samples. All these rappers and many more are under his established independent label; Sic Wid It records.
His nicknames include TKA (Tycoon Known As) Charlie Hustle, E-Bonics, 40 Fonzarelli, The Ambassador of the Bay, The Ballatician, 40 Belafonte, E-Pheezy, Fortywata (40water), E-4-0 (E-Four-Oh), Mr. Flamboyant, and Earl "Poppin' His Collar" Stevens.
ENTREPRENEUR
In addition to record sales E-40 has ventured into other business opportunities. Along with former NFL player Chester McGlockton, E-40 has opened a Fatburger franchise in Pleasant Hill, California. E-40 recently authored the book, E-40's Book of Slang to be published by Warner Books. He also has his own line of liquor called Cloud 9, and he opened the now-defunct Ambassador's Lounge, a nightclub in Downtown San Jose.[13]. On Nov 16th, 2007 it was announced that Stevens, signed a franchise agreement with Wingstop Restaurants, Inc. and will open one in Southampton shopping center located in Benicia, California. "I was introduced to Wingstop in Dallas and as soon as I tasted the wings I was hooked. I love the food," said Stevens. "I chose to open in the Bay Area because this is the soil where I was born and raised, and I still live here to this day. People here are going to love these things." In late 2007, E-40 announced a new line of energy drinks called "40 Water."
Zoom
E-40 Lyrics
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Come up, I come from nothin
To get it crankin right here
Right here?
Turma-turmoil, torment and turmoil
Uh ooh
We been in bondage for years
For how long?
Yea that's true
Dang, I got a dream though
Fiction
Tryin to make my own progress
That's fictionary
Zoom!
Even though the streets mob filthy, lights burned out (out)
Dopefiends die with antennas in they mouth
Niggaz are starvin', some of my niggaz is havin' they cash
Niggaz is ballin', parkin' they car, all on the grass
Livin' it up to the fullest platinum colored jew-els and organized glass
Not none of that old fake ass costume jewelry, that looks like brass
I'm lookin' out the window while you play Nintendo
You drive a Navigator, I drive a Pinto
I was there, nothin' polite, me and my fools
The ghetto, field mice and rat drippings up in my shoes
A rebel, without a pause, commodes n stars
No toilet tissue, dirty doodoo stains up in my draws
Ooh zoom, I like, to fly far away from here
Where my mind flows on, it's fresh and clear
And I, found a love, that I long to see
And people, who be, who they want to be, ho!
I never had, lobster in my life (or what?)
Or teriyaki steaks, just sardines and spam and cornflakes
Pacific Bell done put me on restriction once again
I can't call out, but you can call in
Can barely think straight, barely keep focus
My crackhead cousin spent the night (what we got) now we got roaches
(Damn!) Here lies my property, no composure
Six months behind on my mortgage, house under foreclosure
Momma ain't feelin' too good, she diabetic
Scared of needles hospitals ambulance paramedics
And I'm the oldest of fo', sleepin' on the flo'
Watchin' TV channels we used to borrow cable from next do'
Ooh zoom, I like, to fly far away from here
Where my mind flows on, it's fresh and clear
And I, found a love, that I long to see
And people, who be, who they want
Who they want to beeee, yea! Hah!
I seen it in a dream, a big white home, looked like a office building
An old school Brougham with a sunroof ceiling
Thug living, sixty-four ounce of drinkin' thinkin'
"How could I come up, and purchase me a Lincoln?"
Drug dealin', leelin' and dealin' tryin' to make a million
Blood spillin', driveby walk up to that nigga peel him
Back then I was blind, penitentiary chance at jail
Livin' off my gahl for hella long she worked at Taco Bell
And if the heater ain't workin' and it's freezin' cold
We open up the oven and turn on the stove
Survival, granddaddy's appreciation revival church
Of Pentecostal, we raised money by givin' car washes
Ooh zoom, I like, to fly far away from here
Where my mind flows on, it's fresh and clear
And I, found a love, that I long to see
And people, who be, who they want
Who they want to beeee, yea!
The lyrics of E-40's song Zoom paint a vivid picture of the struggles and realities of life in the ghetto. The opening lines suggest that the singer has come from nothing and is now trying to make progress despite the turmoil and bondage that they have faced. However, the dream of progress is a fiction as the challenges that surround the singer are multiple and real. The streets are filthy and some people are starving while others are balling. Life is a constant struggle.
The chorus of the song provides an escape from these struggles. The singer longs to zoom away from their current situation to a place where their mind can flow freely and they can find love and acceptance. This is especially poignant given the difficult circumstances that they have described earlier in the song. The third verse is particularly brutal, describing a situation where the singer's property is about to be foreclosed, their mother is ill, and they are sleeping on the floor. The lyrics are vivid, and they paint a picture of a very bleak reality.
Overall, the song Zoom is a powerful depiction of life in the ghetto, where dreams of progress are often just a fiction, and survival is the daily reality for many.
Line by Line Meaning
Uhh, I come from nothin
Started from the bottom
Come up, I come from nothin
Risen from poverty
To get it crankin right here
Making it happen in the present
Turma-turmoil, torment and turmoil
Challenging and difficult circumstances
Uh ooh
Sign of struggle or trouble
We been in bondage for years
Trapped in systemic oppression
Trapped up in the ghetto
Limited by socioeconomic status
Dang, I got a dream though
Holding onto hope despite obstacles
Tryin to make my own progress
Working towards personal success
Zoom!
Focusing on achieving success despite challenges
Even though the streets mob filthy, lights burned out (out)
Despite the poverty and decay
Dopefiends die with antennas in they mouth
Drug addiction epidemic
Niggaz are starvin', some of my niggaz is havin' they cash
Disparities in wealth and poverty
Niggaz is ballin', parkin' they car, all on the grass
Flaunting wealth despite living in poverty-stricken area
Livin' it up to the fullest platinum colored jew-els and organized glass
Materialism in the face of poverty
I'm lookin' out the window while you play Nintendo
Watching others live life while being stuck
You drive a Navigator, I drive a Pinto
Economic discrepancy between individuals
I was there, nothin' polite, me and my fools
Growing up in a rough, tough environment
The ghetto, field mice and rat drippings up in my shoes
Living conditions in the ghetto
A rebel, without a pause, commodes n stars
Non-conforming despite societal standards
No toilet tissue, dirty doodoo stains up in my draws
Living in filth and poverty
Ooh zoom, I like, to fly far away from here
Dreaming of escape and leaving poverty
Where my mind flows on, it's fresh and clear
Mental clarity away from burdening poverty
And I, found a love, that I long to see
Yearning for positive change
And people, who be, who they want to be, ho!
Encouraging individual authenticity
I never had, lobster in my life (or what?)
Never experiencing luxury
Or teriyaki steaks, just sardines and spam and cornflakes
Limited to basic food options
Pacific Bell done put me on restriction once again
Limited resources and communication
I can't call out, but you can call in
Lack of communication opportunities
Can barely think straight, barely keep focus
Difficulty focusing on goals and aspirations
My crackhead cousin spent the night (what we got) now we got roaches
Living in squalor due to drug addiction
(Damn!) Here lies my property, no composure
Losing control of possessions due to poverty
Six months behind on my mortgage, house under foreclosure
Loosing home ownership due to poverty
Momma ain't feelin' too good, she diabetic
Health issues due to lack of resources and healthcare
Scared of needles hospitals ambulance paramedics
Fear of medical resources due to lack of money
And I'm the oldest of fo', sleepin' on the flo'
Living in poverty despite being the oldest
Watchin' TV channels we used to borrow cable from next do'
Limited access to resources such as cable
I seen it in a dream, a big white home, looked like a office building
Dreaming of a better life and home
An old school Brougham with a sunroof ceiling
Fantasizing about owning a luxury car
Thug living, sixty-four ounce of drinkin' thinkin'
Escaping poverty through illegal means and alcoholism
"How could I come up, and purchase me a Lincoln?"
Dreaming and aspiring for material wealth despite poverty
Drug dealin', leelin' and dealin' tryin' to make a million
Turning to illegal means of wealth creation
Blood spillin', driveby walk up to that nigga peel him
Violent culture and being exposed to it
Back then I was blind, penitentiary chance at jail
Being involved in criminal activity despite consequences
Livin' off my gahl for hella long she worked at Taco Bell
Dependent on others for survival
And if the heater ain't workin' and it's freezin' cold
Living in harsh conditions without proper resources
We open up the oven and turn on the stove
Being resourceful with limited resources
Survival, granddaddy's appreciation revival church
Finding hope through religion and community
Of Pentecostal, we raised money by givin' car washes
Coming together as a community to raise funds
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronald Lapread, Lionel Richie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind