Rapper E-40 is known for his colorful lyrics, and they are occasionally suitable for a family newspaper. But when the subject turns to reggae artist Rankin' Scroo, he dishes out glowing praise, not phrases that need editing.

"The dude is extremely talented,'' said E-40, whose real name is Earl Stevens. E-40 is a Vallejo native and a graduate of Hogan High School who lives in San Ramon. "He's professional, man... My fans love him. We come together like peanut butter and jelly when we collaborate."

They've jammed at various venues in the Bay Area over the last few months and Scroo (Harold Johnson) is featured on two cuts on E-40's most recent CD, "Breakin News." Scroo is on the title track and a tune called "Act A Ass," and also appeared in the E-40 video "automatic."

Returning the favors, E-40 provides an endorsement for the Oakland-based Scroo on his latest offering, "Godfada." While E-40 didn't perform in the infamous Super Bowl halftime show -- a la Nelly -- he is a major "playa" in the hip-hop business.

That's why Scroo's association with E-40 has kicked up the former's profile a few notches. Many E-40 followers who hitherto wouldn't have known Rankin' Scroo from Kenny Rankin are turned on by his music, and eventually check out his CDs or concerts.

"It has really given him the edge he needed to combine the hip-hop area with reggae,'' said Darren Hodges, Scroo's manager.”E-40's record really took off on a national level. It's the chemistry we needed ... (Scroo) is getting a lot of interest."

And it's working for E-40 as well. Scroo has noticed that their performances have drawn an older crowd than E-40 would attract on his own, and a more youthful contingent than would normally see him.

The fact that Scroo and his group play live instruments -- no taped stuff here -- pleases musical purists and helps create a more lively atmosphere.

"We certainly get a lot of interest in the (under 18) crowd,'' said Scroo.”Hip-hop and reggae are a good mix. The older crowd just doesn't want to see just a concert, they want a show, they want a real show -- dancing, costumes, live band.

"You can always change the makeup of a crowd with a live band.''

Everyone seems to have a good time, even though the musical styles and subject matter of Scroo and E-40 are quite different.

"He's talking more about party stuff,'' Scroo said, "then we come back with stuff in the streets or politics -- fellows locked up in jail."

Said E-40, "He's not saying kill that mother -- , kill that mother -- .''

Scroo, who plays keyboards, drums, guitar and percussion and sings, is fond of describing his musical style as "urban reggae." The best way to describe him would be Shaggy (the British reggae star) with much more of an edge and attitude. Scroo will not be sampling the Jackson’s disco hit of the '70s, "Shake Your Body Down to the Ground" any time soon.

Scroo, 45, is a native of Jamaica, where he started singing in his church choir at a young age, then evolved into a "toaster'' (reggae rapper), and was involved in production and promotion as well.

Scroo immigrated to the borough of Queens in New York in 1979 and continued his career. From there, military service took him to Hawaii, where he met a keyboardist named Ginger. They forged what became known as "Jawaiian music," a combination of Jamaican and native Hawaiian sounds. She still performs in his band.

After living in Oakland on and off for more than a decade, Scroo says he'll be settling in for a while. He has a studio in his home in the Fruitvale district where he also runs his production company, Crucial Youth Productions, and likes the Bay Area's more relaxed environment. "If it's New York, everybody is in your face, and that's not good all the time,'' Scroo said.”This is a nice, peaceful home base. I can wake up every hour of the night (and work on music)."

How did Scroo come up with his stage name, which he's been using for years? All Scroo can say is he was rehearsing in a studio while living in Hawaii, when a colleague piped up, "You're a ranking scroo."

The term "scroo" refers to a style of bicycle riding in Jamaica, with the toes out and heels in. What that had to do with the then-Harold Johnson isn't clear, but he liked the moniker and stuck with it.

While this is confusing stuff indeed, what's clear is where Scroo wants to take his career.

"Reggae is just getting into the limelight,'' he said.”That's what I'm trying to do, make sure (my music) gets on MTV or BET. People don't know you unless they see you on the tube. Mainstream is where I'm heading for.''

However, Scroo added he wouldn't water down his music for the sake of selling a few more CDs

"I'm not the watering-down type,'' he said.”Any music you hear from me is what I feel. If I don't feel it, it's not going to get to the public. I'm not going to make it unless I'm feeling it. That's staying true and real to the game.''

Scroo's continuing association with E-40 will help in keeping his name out there. Expect plenty of projects between the two in the future. "I see us working more and more,'' E-40 said.”There's no limit to this, the sky's the limit."

E-mail Tony Cooper at tcooper@sfchronicle.com.