: Mob Side: () 1: Drought Season (4:20) 2: Rat Heads (5:34) 3: Federal (4:58) 4: Outsmart The Po Po's (4:25) 5: Hide 'N' Seek (4:24) : Gangsta Side: () 6: Let Him Have It (4:53) 7: Questions (0:39) 8: Extra Manish (4:03) 9: Carlos Rossi (4:45) 10: Nuttin Ass Nigga (4:11) 11: Shouts Out (4:27)
Description:
Earl Stevensā??s debut album, E-40s skills as an MC on full display, as well as promising things in the following years. Not to mention solid guest spots from his fellow Californians B-Legit, Kaveo, Little Bruce, and various others.. -
"Federal" is the groundbreaking debut studio album by Bay Area rap legend E-40, presented here in the CD format by the respected reissue label Get On Down. Originally released in the early 1990s, "Federal" captures E-40 at a pivotal moment, defining his singular style: elastic flows, inventive slang, and streetwise storytelling rooted in Vallejo, California. The production leans on thick basslines, hard-hitting drums, and a raw West Coast sound that bridges the era between underground hustle and wider recognition. Lyrically, the album explores life on the streets, ambition, loyalty, and survival, delivered with E-40's unmistakable cadence and off-kilter rhyme schemes that later made him one of the most quoted voices in hip-hop.
Get On Down is known for its carefully curated reissues and deluxe editions of classic albums in hip-hop, soul, funk, and related genres. The label places strong emphasis on audio quality, respectful packaging, and historically aware presentation, often making influential records available again for collectors and new listeners alike. With this CD edition of "Federal," Get On Down continues its mission to preserve cornerstones of rap history and to highlight albums that shaped regional scenes and broader hip-hop culture.
E-40 is one of the most distinctive and influential rappers from the West Coast, especially within the Bay Area's vibrant hip-hop landscape. Over the decades he has built a large catalog of studio albums and collaborative projects, becoming known for his entrepreneurial spirit, his role in popularizing Bay Area slang, and his ability to adapt to new generations while staying rooted in his original sound. He has collaborated with a wide range of prominent artists, and his presence has remained consistent across multiple eras of rap, from early independent releases like "Federal" to later mainstream breakthroughs and high-profile guest appearances. This CD is an essential snapshot of his early work and an important piece of West Coast hip-hop history.
