E-40 - Tha Hall of Game (CD)

All Music Guide

Following a few underground-quality efforts by E-40, Jive Records finally delivered its promise and bankrolled their new, unconventional signee's first hallmark album, Tha Hall of Game. Until this point 40 had shown enormous potential, but no matter how exceptional the rapper's style was, his recordings sounded a bit too lo-fi for universal acceptance. That's certainly not the case though with Tha Hall of Game, which features a long list of contributers, including several A list producers and rappers. The standout track, and the one that introduced 40 to a legion of new fans, "Rappers' Ball" teams up the rapper with fellow Bay Area vet Too Short, hook-singer K-Ci, and an explosive Ant Banks production. Elsewhere 40 reprises his classic hit "Captain Save a Hoe" with the Click on "Captain Save Them Thoe" for all his new fans who hadn't yet heard his signature anthem, and 2Pac steals the show on "Million Dollar Spot." The full lineup of producers -- Banks, Mike Mosely, Rick Rock, Tone Cap...one, and Studio Ton -- offer some of their best, and the overall style is more G-funk than gangsta rap, a wonderful transition that suits 40's increasingly tounge-twisting style well. - Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide Read more Less