How You Can Learn Business From E-40

What can you learn about business from E-40? I think a lot, the artist is originally from the small city of Vallejo which sits inside the Bay Area of California in between Oakland and San Francisco. The Hip-hop Veteran has shown over the years that he had something really unique to bring to the music industry. The way that his voice had the ability to raise from high pitch to slow-low pitch, then he would have his fans scurrying to listen to his fast flows. He is just an all-around great MC. I say this as there has been a recent show on TVOne titled Unsung that profiles E-40’s life.

Consistency
The rapper has been around since 1988 starting up a group that he formed with his family members first known as MVP then changed the name into the Click. The group has been forced to independently having to sell their albums out of the trunks of their car. The reason being is that most radio stations mostly the East Coast would not want to play their records because they didn’t feel it was marketable or good. The group started at Grambling State where they were studying before they decided to take the idea and concept back home to the Bay area. This type of consistency has been very integral part in E-40 and the Click’s success. The Consistency still shows with his ability to move albums frequently and with volume. In 2010 he released His “Revenue Retrievin’ ‘Day shift’ and “ ’Night Shift’ ”.The following year Overtime and Graveyard Shift dropped. Then he released 2012–2013 “The Block Brochure” parts 1–6 to let his fans know that he is still doing what he loves.

I notice that brands no matter how good or bad the product or service is there will need to be consistent measures that will need to be taken. You don’t just know about a brand because they have a cool marketing strategy or a neat local, you remember them because that keep hammering you with their message.

The rapper E-40 has done extremely well in promoting his message across and making relevant for the audience. In his case this will be all age groups from old to new.

Multiple Streams of Income
It is said that most wealthy people have at least seven streams of income. While I cannot confirm this to be true or not I will say that Stevens has at least done his part in trying to be an octopus with his life financially. He was able to start his own Record Label Sick Wid It Records where he could handle his own artistic vision of himself and all the other artist that he signed to the label. Whether it was partnering with the late NFL player Chester Mcglockton to run a local Fatburger or setting up his own alcoholic brand line with beer, wines and cocktail beverages.

He is known to use his label to help the careers of young artist in his city of Vallejo. One of his artists Nef The Pharaoh explains E-40 is a straight and honest business man that let’s his artist know upfront and that it’s a 50/50 venture and that artist are encourage to set up there own label as well to help create their own economy.

Adaptability
Based on the Unsung episode detailing his life, 40 was at a point where he had reached a peak in his life. He claims that due to a spiritual source of guidance, he was able to make a call to Lil’ Jon that would catapult his career. The two were able to create a song titled “Snap yo Fingers” which highlighted the popular Hyphy sound of the bay at that time and the Snap Music in the south. This went on to being a chart topping song with taking E-40 out of obscurity and back into the face of mainstream. This didn’t however change his overall core artistry it just helped him to showcase his versatility. Often times I think about how entrepreneurs are unable to adapt to situations. I know some business that haven’t even try to explore e-commerce to gain market traction for people that might not be in your area. Individuals who still only will deal with cash as a transaction option. In his career is a great example of how changing or reinventing yourself could create more avenues.

There is no mistake that this artist is a power player in the Hip-hop arena. He is known to help create a platform for others to prosper. He started that when he formed the Click with his family members. He also created this environment when he formed his Sick Wid It label. He has given back to his hometown with Charitable contributions such as donated money and bikes to local organizations. He makes a strong effort to create