Top tracks — play these first
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Bring Back the Sideshow — This track opens the album with an infectious energy that showcases E-40's signature playful wordplay and vibrant storytelling about California culture.
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Money — With its catchy hook and hustler mentality, this track encapsulates the core themes of ambition and success that permeate the album.
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Get Money or Get Lost — This track highlights E-40's relentless drive and unique flow, serving as an anthem for anyone striving to make it in life.
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Thank U — In a moment of reflection, E-40 expresses gratitude towards his supporters and family, adding emotional depth to an otherwise high-energy collection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
E-40's blend of sharp lyricism and varied flows creates a distinctive West Coast sound that stands out in hip-hop.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of heavy bass lines and syncopated rhythms across nearly all tracks, creating a cohesive sound.
- Several tracks incorporate guest features that add variety to the vocal delivery and lyrical themes, enhancing the overall narrative.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, providing a contrast to the more energetic earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for focused listening
- streetwise narratives with vivid imagery
- suitable for late-night drives
- consistent flow encourages full playthrough
- vibrant beats for energetic vibes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy, cohesive albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Continues to showcase E-40's established style while achieving notable chart success.
- Themes
- California hustle· gangsta lifestyle· West Coast culture
- Career context
- Released on November 18, 2016, 'The D-Boy Diary: Book 2' is E-40's second installment in a series following his 2015 album. At this stage in his career, E-40 continued to solidify his status as a veteran in the rap scene, showcasing his ability to adapt while maintaining his unique style. This release came after a prolific period that included multiple collaborations with younger artists, keeping him relevant in an evolving genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Too Short· Mac Dre· Mistah F.A.B.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Bring Back the Sideshow 3:32
- 2 Money 4:00
- 3 This Goin’ Up 3:32
- 4 On One 3:02
- 5 Get Money or Get Lost 2:37
- 6 Highway 4:16
- 7 Sick Out Here 3:23
- 8 Thank U 4:08
- 9 Military Time 4:03
- 10 Uh Huh 4:14
- 11 2 Seater 3:29
- 12 What It’s Gone Be 3:46
- 13 How Do U Like That 3:28
- 14 I Know a Guy 3:55
- 15 All I Know 3:28
- 16 Waitin’ on a Play 2:57
- 17 Tycoon 3:50
- 18 Broke Bitches 3:29
- 19 Flash on These Bitches 3:44
- 20 Too Many 4:17
- 21 Paid Off 3:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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