E-40 Makes Top Three Debut

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Rapper E-40 scored his highest chart debut this week when his latest album, My Ghetto Report Card, entered the Billboard 200 albums chart at Number Three after selling more than 94,000 copies its first week out. Billboard.com reports that the chart position was a career best for the rapper, but his 1996 release Tha Hall Of Game sold more than 123,000 copies its first week to enter the chart at Number Four. My Ghetto Report Card also grabbed the Number One spot on the Billboard Top Ramp;B/Hip Hop Albums chart. The set is E-40's first release since inking a deal with Lil'Jon's Warner-distributed BME label.

E-40 explained why he decided to sign with Lil'Jon after recording for Jive Records his entire career: "It's just, you know, me being cool with Jon already, you know what I mean, that made this whole thing make sense, because he had already produced a couple of super slappers for me, a song called 'Rep Your City.'"

The rapper added: "You know what I mean, we stayed in contact, you know, and his production, Jon ain't just no, you know what I mean? He ain't just, he ain't your ordinary producer, man. That dude do it all, you dig? So it's like, 'Man, let's do it. Let's make it unfold.'We got together. He got the situation over at Warner, BME/Warner, here we is, right here. You smell me? It's gratifying, man."

My Ghetto Report Card features guest appearances by Lil' Scrappy, Bohagon, Mike Jones, Juelz Santana, Turf Talk, B-Legit, the Federation, 8Ball, and UGK.