You want me to give you a year or a time period? I'll give you a time period. I'd say around the time E-40 got his second wind and dropped the "My ghetto report card' album.
That album introduced him to another generation and he's stayed current ever since.
I don't think you understand how hard it is to be relevant in one region for over 20 years let alone be relevant nationally for 25 years.
If it was easy the legends you look up to would do it if they really love the artform.
So Tell Me When to Go, U & Dat, Snap Your Fingers, Choices and this new song with Quavo catapulted E-40 over Rakim and KRS? Did I forget any hits?
You think E-40's second wind, and the songs I've listed, are historically important for hip hop?
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad 40 had success, but nothing he's done since that second wind is going to matter, whatsoever, for hip hop history.
Overall, 40 is a hip hop legend and a top three figure for Bay Area rap.