E-40 throws the first pitch during a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park in San Francisco on June 9, 2023. Nate McKinley/staff.
SAN FRANCISCO — East Bay rapper E-40 threw the first pitch and was the star guest at Oracle Park as the San Francisco Giants paid tribute to the 50th anniversary celebration of the Bay Area hip-hop genre. The game featured his Iamsu! from Richmond. During a pre-match panel discussion with other artists, Auckland’s Adrian Marcel performed a soulful, vibrato-filled version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” while Vallejo’s Rex Life-Large called out, “Play ball!”
Wearing an orange Giants jersey with his name embroidered across the back and a distinctive orange beanie, Earl Stevens was the catcher after debating whether to throw from the mound or in front of the mound. I judged that I had the power to throw the ball to. A few minutes later, surrounded by fans and friends in a tunnel, he told Riff about the honors from his favorite baseball team.
E-40 and Lou Thiel high five before the San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs game at Oracle Park in San Francisco on June 9, 2023.
“It feels great just to have this privilege,” E-40 said. “They rolled the red carpet for me. …I’m a long-time Giants fan. I tell people I go back to Willie Mays and Jack Clark. One of my favorite players is Barry Bonds, and he’s one of my favorite athletes, along with Stephen Curry.”
And the Giants love E-40’s right-back, cheering and dancing in their seats whenever he appears on screen.
Manager Gabe Kapler said before the game that he had been listening to the E-40 since his first year playing in the minor leagues.
“In 1995 I played for the Jamestown Jammers, a short-term team in New York and the Penn League,” Kapler said. “It was my first time away from home, and I was living in a two-bedroom apartment with five other guys. ‘Sprinkle Me’ was on regular rotation that summer. in a big way That was the name of the record…and it was just playing non-stop in our apartment. …I call him Earl now, but in 1995 I still thought he was a great Bay Area rapper, and I still do. ”
Kapler said he makes time for Stevens whenever the rapper visits the ballpark or other events around the Bay Area.
Rapper Rex Life-Large and friends before the San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs game at Oracle Park in San Francisco on June 9, 2023.
“Sometimes we send congratulations to each other. I think it’s his world,” Kapler said.
The event was centered around E-40, but also focused on Bay Area hip-hop as a whole. Kapler said he had a big musical influence as a child from Hayward’s rapper Spice 1, who said, “He was a pretty raw and rough guy.” But in his eyes, no one is better than Tupac Shakur. He’s from New York City, and while other cities like Los Angeles also claim their own, he has his own Bay Area ties.
“I consider Tupac, at least in part, a Bay Area rapper and my all-time favorite artist of all genres,” Kapler said.
Meanwhile, Rex Life-Large came to the game with his entourage and entered the field before the game to take pictures behind home plate. Raj’s favorite Bay Area rapper? Mac Dre. Raj was also in a celebratory mood.
East Bay artist Adrian Marcel sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs game at Oracle Park in San Francisco on June 9, 2023.
“I think it’s beautiful. For something of this magnitude and scale to respect culture. I think it’s really cleaned up,” he said. “To be here with the legendary E-40 and Iams is really tight.”
Before the game and between innings, DJ Umami performed Del the Funky Homosapien’s “Mistad Varina,” P-Law’s “Hella Fun” and “Same Squad,” and Mr. FAB’s “Ghost Ride It.” , played songs such as “Radio Activity” by Mac Dre. Lots of “Mood” by up-and-coming San Francisco rapper 24K Goldn and of course his E-40 track.
E-40 said it was honored by Kapler’s compliment.
“It means a lot to me. He’s essential,” Stevens said. “I have nothing but love and respect for him. He is doing a great job with our team.”
With the Cubs leading 3-2 in the top of the eighth inning, the Giants were scheduled to close out the night with a hip-hop-themed drone and fireworks show, but the announcement was made midway through the game. A match postponed due to technical problems.
Follow editor Roman Gokhman. Twitter.com/RomiTheWriter. Follow photographer Nathan McKinley. Instagram.com/memories.by.mckinley.