ARTIST: E-40 & Too Short
ALBUM: History: Mob Music and Function Music
LABEL: Heavy on the Grind/EMI
RELEASE DATE: November 6, 2012
A Legendary Duo
Written by Jeremy Weeden
There aren’t many MCs more legendary on the west coast than hip-hop veterans Too Short and E-40. The two rappers combined have over 40 years’ experience in the hip-hop industry and have been constants on the west coast hip-hop scene longer than almost anyone else. Not only are Too Short and E-40 both from the Bay Area, but the two rappers have also had similar career arcs with their longevity in the game and their independent/underground status. They also have in common that they have refused to change who they are or their music in order to reach a wider audience. Therefore it only makes sense the two would get together and bring the public a double serving of great music with the double LP History. History is divided into two separate albums: Mob Music which has classic west coast rap and street anthems, and Function Music, an album of songs more likely to be played in a club or at a party. The lines blur at times as Mob Music has songs you would play in the club and Function Music has a couple of gritty street tracks, but the results are still the same, great music from two hip-hop legends.
Of the two albums, Function Music is definitely the one that fans of more current hip-hop will get more out of. The subject matter of each song is more of a celebration and club centric and the production is a bit flashier. This album has more high profile guest appearances as Tyga, Travis Porter, Wiz Khalifa, Jeremih, as well as fellow west coast legends Ice Cube and Sugafree. Wiz Khalifa is featured on the high energy bass heavy “Say I” and delivers a solid verse, while Tyga and Travis Porter are featured on “Slide Through” and “Dump Truck” respectively. If not obvious from the way they are named, these are two songs for the ladies designed to make them “back it up like a dump truck.” But, the real highlight of Function is definitely “Cali” a song which samples Roger Troutman’s soaring vocals from 2Pac’s hit “California Love.” This song, an obvious homage to the west coast, brings Function Music to a very satisfying end and leaves the listener wanting more.
The Mob Music album is catered more towards the streets than the clubs and will be reminiscent of the duo’s older material. For the most part, it’s more subdued than the Function Music half of the release, but still maintains the trademark hyphy sound, with crazy synths, heavy bass, and funk-inspired drums. While Mob Musicdoes not feature the same level of high profile guest appearances as Function Music, it allows the listener to get a more organic experience as the MCs collaborate with fellow west coast artist like B-Legit and Kurupt. “Ride with Me” and “Do You Remember?” feel like throwback tracks complete with clever verses, booming bass kicks, synths and high hats. Too Short’s laid-back flow fits perfectly with E-40’s frenetic, rapid-fire verses and multi-syllabic flow. Mob Music is what any longtime fan of E-40 or Too Short would be expecting from the LP.
Overall, History is a good album that will fit in well to each of the rapper’s musical catalogues. There are tracks that will please the casual rap listener as well as the diehard fans of the Bay Area legends. Both albums offer the characteristic heavy booming bass and west coast hyphy sound that made both rappers living legends.