Rap legend E-40 still commands an uncanny level attention and respect after being in the game for almost 30 years. A strong example of 40 Water’s ability to hold our attention is “Somebody,” the newest visual from Book 1 of his 2016 double-album The D-Boy Diaries Book 1 & 2.
“Somebody” finds E-40 screening clips of his historic career in a gorgeous theater, pensively observing his life story from a balcony seat. Featuring soaring, emotive vocals from Ricco Barrino, E-40 delivers slick rhymes in his signature style over production by ProHoeZak.
On “Somebody,” 40 Water reflects on the decisions he’s made throughout his life, with bars like,
“Got a couple of kids to raise/So it’s a Catch-23/Should I get a job/Or go back to pushin’ the D?/Should I call my plug/And ask him to front me a key?/Should I get my recommendation/Papers for trees.”
Known for his feature on the Colonel Loud “California” hit single alongside of T.I. and Young Dolph, artist Ricco Barrino is also featured on “Somebody.” Barrino reflects on his inspiration and motivation behind “Somebody,” stating,
“When you pray for something, envisioning it happening, prepare yourself and then it happens you know it’s GOD. It was always a dream of mine to work with the man E-40 so when he called and told me he knew I could do it he really gave me the extra confidence that sealed the deal. It’s nothing like waiting the longest to do a service with another solid individual to create greatness.”
“Somebody” has special significance to E-40, as well. The Bay Area OG added,
“The song is a homage to gospel singer Freddie Jackson’s “Have You Ever Loved Somebody. The boy Ricco Barrino came up with the hook. In this song, I’m somebody trying to be somebody, not so much as a rapper, but as an ordinary guy. I’m talking about – should I buy a food truck, should I get in the tech world and create an app? Where am I going in life in life with this shit? I’m playing the narrator.”
Check the video now.
