The Mail Man (Original Master Peace)

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.”