Eazy-E

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Eazy-E

Who Was Eazy-E?

Eazy-E, born Eric Wright on September 7, 1963, in Compton, California, was a pivotal figure in the history of hip-hop. He co-founded Ruthless Records and was one of the founding members of N.W.A., alongside fellow rappers Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. N.W.A. became known for their raw and often controversial lyrics that addressed social issues, notably through albums like Straight Outta Compton. In addition to his work with the group, Eazy-E also pursued a solo career. Tragically, he passed away from AIDS-related complications on March 26, 1995.

Background and Early Career

Eazy-E grew up in Compton, a city notorious for its high crime rates and gang activity. After dropping out of high school, he initially turned to drug dealing, using the profits to fund his passion for music. In partnership with music industry veteran Jerry Heller, he co-founded Ruthless Records, marking the beginning of his career in the music industry. Eazy-E soon teamed up with O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, two emerging talents, who began writing and producing music for the label. After another group declined to perform one of their songs, Wright, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre formed N.W.A. and recorded the iconic track “Boyz-n-the-Hood.”

Success with ‘Straight Outta Compton’

N.W.A. quickly gained recognition for their unapologetic portrayal of life in inner-city Los Angeles. Their debut album, N.W.A. and the Posse (1987), was followed by the groundbreaking Straight Outta Compton (1988), which achieved double-platinum status. The album featured tracks like “F— tha Police,” which drew attention from the FBI, leading to a formal warning letter sent to the group’s record label.

In the same year, Eazy-E released his solo album Eazy-Duz-It, which, though branded as a solo effort, was a collaboration with other N.W.A. members. After Ice Cube’s departure from the group in 1989, N.W.A. continued to release music, including the EP 100 Miles and Runnin’ (1990) and the album Efil4zaggin (1991), which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

Eazy-E’s influence on the rap industry was profound, shaping the sound of West Coast hip-hop and cementing his legacy as one of the genre’s pioneers.

Misogyny and Violence in Gangsta Rap

N.W.A. is often credited with shaping the themes that would later dominate commercial hip-hop, particularly through their depiction of extreme violence and misogyny in their lyrics. The group’s controversial content attracted a large audience, with much of its sales driven by adolescent male suburban listeners. Their provocative style laid the foundation for the gangsta rap genre.

In the early 1990s, N.W.A. disbanded amidst legal battles, particularly between Eazy-E and Dr. Dre, with both artists using their music to publicly ridicule each other. Eazy-E, a savvy businessman, recognized how controversy could fuel album sales and continued to lead his label, Ruthless Records. Under his leadership, the label signed successful acts such as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. During this period, Eazy also released his own solo work, including the 1992 EP 5150 Home 4 tha Sick and a follow-up EP the next year.

Eazy-E stirred further controversy by attending a 1991 Republican fundraiser, reportedly due to his charitable donations, and later by expressing support for one of the officers involved in the Rodney King beating. By 1994, he had become the host of a Los Angeles radio show on KKBT-FM, continuing to shape the music scene.

In 1995, Eazy was hospitalized for severe respiratory issues, where it was revealed that he had contracted AIDS. Shortly after going public with his diagnosis, he passed away from complications related to the disease on March 26, 1995, at the age of 31.

Eazy’s legacy continued posthumously, with an album he was working on released in 1995, followed by an EP of unreleased tracks released on the seven-year anniversary of his death. His daughter, E.B. Wright, produced the documentary A Ruthless Scandal, detailing the final days of his life. His story was also immortalized in the 2015 biopic Straight Outta Compton, directed by F. Gary Gray, which explored the rise and impact of N.W.A.