E-40 stepped up to the plate yesterday (Aug. 23), donating $25,000 in school supplies to Franklin Middle School in his hometown of Vallejo, Calif.

40 Water once attended the school, laughing that he even made the honor roll.

“I made the honor roll in the eighth grade," 40 said to CBS cameras, who were on-hand to film the school supply drive. "I was so happy! I’m just sitting up here reminiscing now looking at the whole facility and environment. It’s a beautiful thing.”

This is the third year the school held the backpack drive, and when E-40 saw that the school was in need, he decided to head down to the fundraising event, and what's more, cut a sizable check. He surprised every student with a Jansport backpack filled to the brim with school supplies, as well as a special inspiration note.

“Stay in school, stay positive, stay out of trouble and stay prayed up," he encouraged.

As for the kids, they were super excited to see the rap legend show up. Since the late 80s and early 90s, with his classic offerings like The Mailman, and In a Major Way, to his more current releases like "Tell Me When to Go," E-40's been a force in the game, both as an artist who laid the blueprint for independent artists. A creative mainstay who's influenced a slew of rappers, not only from the Bay Area, but across music, the 48 year-old rapper continues to be a presence in rap music.

“It’s just like, crazy! Like, a famous person is coming,” said Isaiah Brown, a sixth grader getting his first taste of middle school in the best way possible. “When I heard, I was like, ‘Oh my God!’ It’s a dream come true.”

“It’s pretty cool that E-40 is doing this for us,” said one sixth grader, Citlalli Garah, to CBS.

“It’s just like, crazy! Like, a famous person is coming,” said Isaiah Brown, a sixth grader. “When I heard, I was like, ‘Oh my God!’ It’s a dream come true.”

Check the clip of E-40 out above.

 

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