E-40 Tha Hall Of Game CD

After several years on the underground rap circuit, E-40 released his first great album, In a Major Way, in 1995, and a year later he released his second, Tha Hall of Game, a similarly fashioned album that some fans believe is the better of the two. E-40 once again turns to producers Studio Ton, Mike Mosely, and Kevin Gardner, who had worked with him previously, but more importantly, he adds others to his production stable, employing the talents of Bay Area beatmakers Ant Banks, Rick Rock, and Tone Capone. Consequently, the productions of Tha Hall of Game are diverse while, at the same time, stylistically native to the Bay Area. As for featured guests, E-40 also keeps his company regional, employing 2Pac and Spice 1 -- who had previously appeared on In a Major Way -- on "Million Dollar Spot" and "Ring It," respectively, plus Too Short, K-Ci (of K-Ci & JoJo), and Keak da Sneak (then of 3X Krazy). "Player's Ball," featuring Too Short's rapping, K-Ci on the chorus, and a production by Ant Banks, is a clear standout, as is "Things'll Never Change," which became a hit single, thanks partly to its interpolation of Bruce Hornsby & the Range's 1986 number one hit "The Way It Is." The two aforementioned collabos, "Million Dollar Spot" and "Ring It," are also highlights. Though not as solid as In a Major Way, Tha Hall of Game is the more diverse album and includes a handful of career highlights. At any rate, both albums are among the best, if not indeed the hands-down best, of E-40's Jive output, as his subsequent releases for the label became increasingly spotty. ~ Jason Birchmeier

Engineers include: Ant Banks, Mike Mosley, Studio Ton.

Personnel includes: E-40, Too Short, 2Pac, B-Legit, Suga T., Spice 1, Keek Tha Sneak, Young Mugzi, Bo-Rock, D-Shot (rap vocals); Studio Ton (guitar, keyboards, drum programming); Ant Banks, Mike Mosley (keyboards, drum programming); K-Ci Hailey (vocals); Harm, LeVitti (background vocals).

Producers include: Studio Ton, Mike Mosley, Ant Banks, Tone Capone.

Engineers include: Studio Ton, Mike Mosley, Ant Banks.

Personnel: E-40 (vocals, background vocals); Lil' E (vocals, background vocals); Too Short, 2Pac, The Luniz, Spice 1, T-Pup, B-Legit, Young Mugzi of the Mossie (vocals); Studio Ton (guitar, horns, organ, keyboards, bass guitar, programming, drum programming); Femi Ojetunde (guitar, keyboards, ARP synthesizer); E-Way (guitar, bass guitar); Au Maliek, Ali Maliek, Michael Mosley, Kevin Gardner, Mike Mosley, Ant Banks, Rick Rock, Tone Capone (keyboards, drum programming); Chauncey (scratches); Cold 187um, Eboni Foster, Ephraim Galloway, Marcus Gore, Antron "Big Lurch" Singleton, Harm, Calvin Hightower, K-Ci & JoJo, Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey, K.C., Kokane, Levitti, Ronese Levias, Steve Scales, Suga T, Bo Rock (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Femi Ojetunde; Michael Mosley; Kevin Gardner; Mike Mosley; Ant Banks; Rick Rock; Studio Ton; Tone Capone; Carlos Warlick.

Recording information: Cosmic Slop Shop; Dollars & Spence; Larrabee North; Pajama Studios; Spark Studio; The Mob Shop.

Photographer: Keba Konte.

Unknown Contributor Role: Tone Capone.

Personnel includes: E-40, Too Short, Suga T., 2Pac, Celly Cel, Luniz, B-Legit, Bo-Rock, Spice 1, Cold 187um, Kokane, Young Mugzi, Keek The Sneak (rap vocals); K-Ci Hailey (vocals); Studio Ton (guitar, horns, keyboards, drum programming); Ant Banks, Mike Mosley (keyboards, drum programming); LeVitti, Harm (background vocals).

Producers include: Ant Banks, Mike Mosley, Studio Ton, Tone Capone.

The Source (12/96, p.124) - 4 Mics - Slammin' - "...THA HALL OF GAME, works off tension--the emotion inherent in trying to avoid his past, raise his children, take care of family, be in tune with God...and put out a dope album....HALL is E-40's `Jo Jo Dancer'..."
The Source (12/96, p.124) - 4 Mics - Slammin' - "...THA HALL OF GAME, works off tension--the emotion inherent in trying to avoid his past, raise his children, take care of family, be in tune with God...and put out a dope album....HALL is E-40's `Jo Jo Dancer'..."
Rap Pages (11/96, p.32) - "...The way E-40 crafts his words into a slick, liquid-like flow, chock-full of original slang that always seems to work its way into rap's vernacular...anoints him as one of rap music's most skilled lyricists..."
Rap Pages (11/96, p.32) - "...The way E-40 crafts his words into a slick, liquid-like flow, chock-full of original slang that always seems to work its way into rap's vernacular...anoints him as one of rap music's most skilled lyricists..."