The Mail Man

iTunes Review

In 1993 E-40 released his second album on his own imprint (Sic-Wid-It) and personally distributed it on the streets of the Bay Area. As they had done with 40’s first album, Jive Records reissued The Mail Man in 1994 and distributed it nationally. Jive had a history of altering their reissues of Sic-Wid-It albums, but thankfully, they left The Mail Man mostly untouched. In fact, they added a bonus track: “Ballin’ Outta Control,” an anthem for all the street youngsters “makin’ cabbage.” “Bring the Yellow Tape” and “The Mail Man” build on the blueprint of Federal, but this abbreviated album is notable for the inclusion of 40’s first verifiable anthems. “Captain Save a Hoe” became one of many catchphrases in 40’s career, but on “Practice Lookin’ Hard” the rapper got to show his social consciousness: “Bloody murder, crime, drugs, folks smokin' / Man I remember when it used to be cool to leave ya screen door open… I guess we're livin' in the last days / ‘Cause in the last days the Bible speaks of AIDS / Plagues, brothers killin' brothers, earthquakes.”