E-40‘s catalog is about to get even bigger, with the Bay Area rapper announcing what will be his 27th solo album, Rule Of Thumb: Rule 1.

Taking to Instagram this week, 40 Water confirmed the LP will drop on November 17 while simultaneously revealing its court-inspired cover art.

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While the project will be his 27th solo effort, 40 also has multiple compilation and joint albums under his belt as well – which earned him the title of rapper with the most charting albums in Billboard 200 history earlier this year with a whopping 33 entries.

You can view the cover art to Rule Of Thumb: Rule 1 below:

Upon breaking the Billboard chart record in May, E-40 wrote on Instagram: “Numbers don’t lie I’m just getting started” – and teased the Rule Of Thumb: Rule 1, though he seemingly initially planned for a July release. 40’s most recent offering before this was 2019’s Practice Makes Paper.

The multi-hyphenate businessman is letting the celebratory times roll in both music and the collegiate world. He recently received an honorary doctorate degree in music from his alma mater, Grambling State University.

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E-40 was on hand to receive the degree at GSU’s graduation ceremony earlier this month, where he also offered words of wisdom, encouragement and appreciation to the graduating class.

“This means so much to me, man, being from Magazine Street – 1300 block [of] Vallejo, California, ya understand me? The Bay Area,” E-40 told the crowd.

“This means so much ‘cause I came a long way. I wanna thank God first and foremost. Always. It is with great honor and gratitude that I accept this honorary doctorate in music. I would like to express my appreciation to the administration…”

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More recently, E-40 had a day and street named after him while also receiving the key to his home city. Last month, the Bay Area rap legend received a proclamation from Vallejo mayor Robert McConnell to officially designate October 21, 2023 as “E-40 Day.”

In addition to receiving a key to the city of Vallejo, Magazine Street — the street upon which the rapper grew up on — was officially renamed “E-40 Way” in a ceremony that took place right outside the very home he lived in as a kid. Those in attendance included 40’s group The Click, some of his longtime producers and engineers, Mistah F.A.B., and a number of the rapper’s family and friends.

E-40 Revisits Being Rap’s First Multi-Million Dollar Man: ‘True Story’
E-40 Revisits Being Rap’s First Multi-Million Dollar Man: ‘True Story’

“Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to have my childhood street in Vallejo named after me!” E-40 wrote on Instagram alongside photos and a video from the street sign unveiling. “Don’t ever give up on your dreams! Thank you to the @CityofVallejo.”

According to a press release, E-40 is “only the second recipient in Vallejo, California’s 173-year history to receive a key to the city.” The accolade was imparted on 40 Water in recognition of “his contributions as a musician, entrepreneur and philanthropist.”

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The ceremony also highlighted the fact that 2023 marked the 30-year anniversary of E-40’s debut studio album, Federal, which kicked off his journey to rap stardom.