Earl Stevens (born November 15, 1967), better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper and entrepreneur from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. His solo debut album, Federal, was released in November 1992, after The Click's debut album "Down and Dirty" came out in May 1992. E-40's 1995 solo album In a Major Way opened him up to a wider audience. He has released over ten albums, including those with his group The Click; he has also appeared on numerous movie soundtracks and has guest appearances on a host of other rap albums. Starting in 1998, he worked with rappers outside the Bay Area and rose to even higher mainstream popularity in 2006 with his single "Tell Me When to Go" which was produced by Lil Jon.