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The Element of Surprise is the fourth studio album by American rapper E-40, released August 11, 1998, on Jive and Sick Wid It Records. The album features production by Ant Banks, Bosko, Mike Mosley, Rick Rock, Sam Bostic, Studio Ton & Tone Capone. It peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 13 on the Billboard 200.[3] The album features guest performances by fellow members of The Click: B-Legit, D-Shot and Suga-T, as well as Jayo Felony, C-Bo, Mack 10, WC, Busta Rhymes, Levitti and Master P. The second to last track, "Ballin' Outta Control", originally appeared on the 1993 extended play, The Mail Man.

The Element of Surprise
Studio album by E-40
Released	August 11, 1998
Recorded	1997–1998
Genre	Gangsta rap West Coast hip-hop G-funk
Length	107:59
Label	Jive, Sick Wid It
Producer	Ant Banks (exec.), Big Tyme, Bosko, Dave Everingham, E-40 (exec.), Funk Daddy, Keith Kinlow, Mike Mosley, Rick Rock, Sam Bostic, Studio Ton, Tone Capone
E-40 chronology
Tha Hall of Game (1996) The Element of Surprise (1998) Charlie Hustle: The Blueprint of a Self-Made Millionaire (1999)
Singles from The Element of Surprise
"Hope I Don't Go Back" Released: July 30, 1998 "From the Ground Up" Released: November 12, 1998

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
The Source	[2]

Along with a single, a music video was produced for the song "Hope I Don't Go Back", featuring Otis & Shug. A second single, "From the Ground Up", was also released as a music video, featuring Too Short, K-Ci & JoJo. The album eventually went Gold. In 2013 E-40 ranked what he considers to be his ten best albums, and named The Element of Surprise as his best album overall.[4]

Track listing

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1998)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[5]	13
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[6]	4

Year-end charts

Chart (1998)	Position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[7]	89

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[8]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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