Earl Stevens (born November 15, 1967 in Vallejo, California) best known by his stage name E-40, is a Bay Area rapper, part of the Bay Area rap group The Click. The "40" in "E-40" was chosen by Earl as a reference to "40" - 40 ounce bottles of malt liquor. The "E" was simply derived from Earl Stevens's first name.E-40 has stated this several times over-the-air on the radio. His mother gave him this idea.After the release of The Click's first album Down and Dirty, E-40's local solo debut was released. After a talent show at Grambling State University, E-40 and his cousin B-Legit decided to attempt a career in rap. They moved back to Vallejo and teamed up with D-Shot, E-40's brother, to form the group Most Valuable Players. E-40's gospel singing uncle (see "I got the game from my Uncle Saint Charles") helped them put out the record.http://www.thefader.com/blog/articles/2005/10/10/left-side E-40's sister, Suga T,