Gangsta Gangsta Eazy E: The Life and Legacy of the Godfather of Gangsta Rap
Eazy-E was an American rapper who propelled West Coast rap and gangsta rap by leading the group N.W.A and its label, Ruthless Records. He is often referred to as the "Godfather of Gangsta Rap". Born and raised in Compton, California, Wright had several legal troubles before founding Ruthless in 1987. After a short solo career with frequent collaboration with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, they joined, forming N.W.A, later that year. N.W.A's debut studio album, Straight Outta Compton, was released in 1988. Controversial upon release, it is now ranked among the greatest and most influential albums ever. The group released its third and final studio album, Niggaz4Life, in 1991, and soon after disbanded. During N.W.A's splintering, largely by disputes over money, Eazy-E became embroiled in bitter rivalries with fellow group-members Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, who had departed for solo careers in 1989 and 1991, respectively. Resuming his solo career Eazy-E released two EPs, yet he remained more significant behind the scenes, signing and nationally debuting the rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony from 1993 to 1994. In 1995, Eazy-E was suddenly hospitalized and diagnosed with AIDS, and died due to its complications.
Early Life and Ruthless Records
Growing up in Compton
Eric Lynn Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright on September 7, 1964, in Compton, California, a Los Angeles suburb once noted for high crime rates and gang culture. His father was a postal worker and his mother was a grade-school administrator. Wright dropped out of high school in the tenth grade, but later received a general equivalency diploma (GED). Wright supported himself mainly by selling drugs, and introduced his cousin to the illicit occupation. Wright's music manager Jerry Heller recalls seeing Wright selling marijuana, but not cocaine. Heller would claim that Wright's "dope dealer" label was part of his "self-forged armor". Wright was also labeled as a "thug". Heller explains: "The hood where he grew up was a dangerous place. He was a small guy. 'Thug' was a role that was widely understood on the street; it gave you a certain level of protection in the sense that people hesitated to fuck with you."
gangsta gangsta eazy e
Starting a rap career and a record label
Wright began rapping in the mid-1980s under the name Eazy-E. Inspired by rap pioneers like Grandmaster Flash, Kurtis Blow, Run-DMC, LL Cool J, Ice-T and Public Enemy, Eazy-E decided to use his drug money to start his own rap label, Ruthless Records, with his friend Jerry Heller as his manager. Eazy-E initially intended to be a behind-the-scenes producer and promoter, but he soon realized that he had a talent for rapping as well. He recorded his debut single, "Boyz-n-the-Hood", with Dr. Dre, a local DJ and producer who had worked with the World Class Wreckin' Cru. The song was rejected by another rap group, HBO, but it caught the attention of Ice Cube, a young rapper and aspiring songwriter from South Central Los Angeles. Ice Cube wrote more songs for Eazy-E, and together they formed the core of N.W.A, along with Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince.
Rise to Fame and Controversy
Releasing Straight Outta Compton and Eazy-Duz-It
In 1988, N.W.A released their landmark album, Straight Outta Compton, which revolutionized the rap genre with its raw and explicit lyrics about life in the inner city. The album featured the controversial track "Fuck tha Police", which provoked outrage from law enforcement agencies and the FBI, who sent a letter to Ruthless Records expressing their displeasure. The song also sparked a wave of anti-police sentiment among young black listeners, who felt oppressed and harassed by the police brutality and racial profiling they faced on a daily basis.
While Straight Outta Compton was a group effort, Eazy-E also released his own solo album, Eazy-Duz-It, in the same year. The album was mostly written by Ice Cube and MC Ren, another rapper who had joined N.W.A in 1988. Eazy-Duz-It was a commercial success, selling over 2 million copies in the US and spawning several hit singles, such as "We Want Eazy", "Eazy-er Said Than Dunn", and "No More ?'s". The album showcased Eazy-E's distinctive high-pitched voice and humorous delivery, as well as his streetwise persona and gangsta image. Facing backlash from the media and the authorities
N.W.A's success and influence came with a price, as they faced constant criticism and censorship from the mainstream media and the authorities. Their lyrics were deemed too violent, vulgar, and misogynistic, and their music was banned from many radio stations and retail stores. They were also targeted by law enforcement agencies, who harassed them during their tours and concerts. In one infamous incident, the group was arrested in Detroit for performing "Fuck tha Police" after being warned not to by the local police. The group was also sued by several parties, including former manager Jerry Heller, who claimed he was cheated out of royalties and profits.
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Feuding with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre
As N.W.A's popularity grew, so did the tensions within the group. Ice Cube, who was the main songwriter and lyricist for the group, felt that he was not getting paid enough for his contributions. He also disagreed with some of the business decisions made by Eazy-E and Jerry Heller, who had more control over the group's finances and direction. In 1989, Ice Cube left N.W.A and launched his own solo career, signing with Priority Records. He also released a diss track called "No Vaseline", which attacked his former group members and accused them of being sellouts, traitors, and puppets of Heller.
Eazy-E responded with his own diss tracks, such as "Real Muthaphuckkin G's" and "It's On", which mocked Ice Cube's credibility and accused him of being a coward, a hypocrite, and a racist. He also hired several look-alikes of Ice Cube to appear in his music videos and ridicule him. The feud between Eazy-E and Ice Cube lasted for several years, until they eventually reconciled in 1994.
Another major rift in N.W.A occurred when Dr. Dre decided to leave the group in 1991. Dr. Dre was unhappy with the way Eazy-E and Jerry Heller were running Ruthless Records, and he felt that he was not getting enough creative freedom and respect as a producer. He also wanted to work with other artists outside of N.W.A, such as Snoop Dogg, Warren G, and Nate Dogg. Dr. Dre teamed up with Suge Knight, a former bodyguard and promoter who had connections to the street gangs of Compton. Knight allegedly used intimidation and violence to force Eazy-E to release Dr. Dre from his contract with Ruthless Records.
Dr. Dre then founded his own label, Death Row Records, with Suge Knight as his partner. He also released his debut solo album, The Chronic, in 1992, which was a huge success and introduced a new style of rap called G-funk. The album also featured several diss tracks aimed at Eazy-E, such as "Fuck wit Dre Day" and "Dre Day". Eazy-E retaliated with his own diss tracks, such as "Real Compton City G's" and "Wut Would You Do", which accused Dr. Dre of being a fake gangster, a homosexual, and a snitch. Solo Success and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Releasing EPs and diss tracks
Despite losing two of his main collaborators, Eazy-E continued his solo career and released two EPs, 5150: Home 4 tha Sick in 1992 and It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa in 1993. The latter was a direct response to Dr. Dre's The Chronic, and featured several diss tracks and samples of Dr. Dre's previous works with the World Class Wreckin' Cru, where he wore sequined outfits and lip-synced. The EP also included the hit single "Real Muthaphuckkin G's", which featured up-and-coming rappers B.G. Knocc Out and Dresta, who defended Eazy-E and criticized Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. The EP sold over 2 million copies in the US and reached number 5 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Signing and mentoring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
In 1993, Eazy-E discovered a rap group from Cleveland, Ohio, called Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, who had sent him their demo tape. Eazy-E was impressed by their unique style of rapping, which combined fast-paced flows, melodic harmonies, and streetwise lyrics. He signed them to Ruthless Records and became their mentor and executive producer. He also appeared on their debut EP, Creepin on ah Come Up, which was released in 1994 and featured the hit singles "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" and "Foe tha Love of $". The EP sold over 2 million copies in the US and established Bone Thugs-N-Harmony as one of the most popular rap groups of the mid-1990s.
Collaborating with other artists and expanding his business
Eazy-E also collaborated with other artists outside of Ruthless Records, such as Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Naughty by Nature, Shaquille O'Neal, and Will.i.am. He also expanded his business ventures by investing in real estate, clothing lines, music publishing, and a nightclub. He also planned to launch a new label called Ruthless Latino, which would focus on Latin rap artists. Sudden Illness and Death
Being diagnosed with AIDS and making a public statement
In February 1995, Eazy-E was admitted to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles with what he believed to be asthma. However, he was soon diagnosed with AIDS, which had severely weakened his immune system. He was given a short time to live, and he decided to make a public announcement of his condition on March 16, 1995. He issued a statement that read:
"I'm not religious, but wrong or right, that's me. I'm not saying this because I'm looking for a soft cushion wherever I'm heading. I just feel I've got thousands and thousands of young fans that have to learn about what's real when it comes to AIDS. I've learned in the last week that this thing is real and it doesn't discriminate. It affects everyone. My girl Tomika and I have been together for four years and we recently got married. She's good, she's kind, and a wonderful mother. We have a little boy who's a year old. Before Tomika, I had other women. I have seven children by six different mothers. Maybe success was too good to me. I love all my kids and always took care of them. Now I'm in the biggest fight of my life and it ain't easy. But I want to say much love to those who have been down with me and thanks for all your support."
Dying at the age of 30 and being buried in Whittier
Eazy-E died on March 26, 1995, at the age of 30, one month after his diagnosis. He was surrounded by his family and friends, including his wife Tomika Woods-Wright, who inherited his fortune and his stake in Ruthless Records. He was also visited by some of his former rivals, such as Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, who expressed their condolences and paid their respects. Eazy-E's funeral was held on April 7, 1995, at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. More than 3,000 people attended the service, which featured eulogies from Rev. Jesse Jackson, MC Ren, DJ Yella, Jerry Heller, Dick Griffey, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Eazy-E was buried in a gold casket at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.
Investigating the mysterious circumstances of his death
Eazy-E's death raised many questions and suspicions among his fans and peers, who wondered how he contracted AIDS and why he did not know about it until it was too late. Some speculated that he was infected by a sexual partner or a tainted needle, while others suggested that he was deliberately injected with the virus by someone who wanted to kill him or sabotage his career. Some of the people who were accused of being involved in Eazy-E's death include Suge Knight, Jerry Heller, Tomica Woods-Wright, and even the CIA.
However, none of these allegations have been proven or confirmed by any credible evidence or witnesses. Eazy-E's son, Lil Eazy-E, has stated that he believes his father died of natural causes and that he does not blame anyone for his death. He has also said that he plans to make a documentary about his father's life and death, which will include interviews with people who were close to him. Legacy and Influence
Being remembered as a rap legend and a cultural icon
Eazy-E is widely regarded as one of the most influential and important figures in the history of rap and hip-hop. He is credited with popularizing and pioneering the genre of gangsta rap, which gave voice to the struggles and realities of life in the inner city. He is also recognized as a visionary and a mogul, who founded and ran one of the most successful independent rap labels, Ruthless Records, and discovered and nurtured some of the most talented artists in the industry, such as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, The D.O.C., Above the Law, and Michel'le. He is also admired for his charisma, his humor, his style, and his courage, which he displayed throughout his life and career.
Eazy-E has been honored and commemorated in various ways since his death. He has received several posthumous awards and accolades, such as the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1995 Source Awards, the Pioneer Award at the 2002 VH1 Hip Hop Honors, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction as a member of N.W.A in 2016. He has also been featured on numerous lists and rankings of the best rappers of all time, such as Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, MTV's 10 Greatest MCs of All Time, and The Source's Top 50 Lyricists of All Time. He has also been immortalized in various forms of media and art, such as murals, statues, books, comics, video games, and stamps.
Inspiring generations of rappers and hip-hop fans
Eazy-E's music and legacy have inspired and influenced countless rappers and hip-hop fans across the world. Many of the most successful and acclaimed rappers of today have cited Eazy-E as one of their main influences and idols, such as Eminem, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, The Game, Ice Cube's son O'Shea Jackson Jr., and Eazy-E's own sons Lil Eazy-E and E3. Many of these rappers have also paid tribute to Eazy-E in their songs and albums, such as Eminem's "Till I Collapse", Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)", 50 Cent's "In Da Club", Kendrick Lamar's "King Kunta", Snoop Dogg's "Eazy-Duz-It", Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III", The Game's "Dreams", O'Shea Jackson Jr.'s "Straight Outta Compton", Lil Eazy-E's "This Ain't a Game", and E3's "Like My Daddy".
Eazy-E's music and legacy have also transcended the boundaries of rap and hip-hop, and have reached other genres and cultures. For example, his song "Boyz-n-the-Hood" was covered by the rock band Dynamite Hack in 2000, which became a hit on alternative radio stations. His song "Real Muthaphuckkin G's" was sampled by the electronic duo Daft Punk in their song "Face to Face" in 2001. His song "Eazy-Duz-It" was remixed by the reggaeton artist Daddy Yankee in his song "Gangsta Zone" in 2005. His song "Foe tha Love of $" was sampled by the pop singer Ariana Grande in her song "Break Your Heart Right Back" in 2014.
Being portrayed in films and documentaries
Eazy-E's life and career have also been depicted in various films and documentaries over the years. Some of the most notable ones are:
Straight Outta Compton (2015), a biographical drama film that chronicles the rise and fall of N.W.A, where Eazy-E is played by Jason Mitchell.
The Defiant Ones (2017), a documentary series that explores the partnership between Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, where Eazy-E is played by Omari Wallace.
Ruthless Memories (2012), a documentary film that features interviews with Eazy-E's family, friends, colleagues, and enemies.
Eazy-E: The Life and Timez of Eric Wright (2002), a documentary film that narrates Eazy-E's story through his own words.
N.W.A.: The World's Most Dangerous Group (2008), a documentary film that examines the impact and legacy of N.W.A.
Conclusion
Eazy-E was a rap legend who changed the game with his music, his business, and his personality. He was the Godfather of Gangsta Rap, who gave voice to the oppressed and inspired millions. He was the founder and leader of N.W.A, one of the most influential and controversial rap groups of all time. He was also the owner and CEO of Ruthless Records, one of the most successful independent rap labels of all time. He was a visionary, a mogul, a mentor, and a friend to many. He was also a husband, a father, and a son to his loved ones. He died too soon, but his music and legacy live on. He was Eazy-E, and this is his story.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Eazy-E and his life and career:
How did Eazy-E get his rap name?
Eazy-E got his rap name from his childhood nickname, Eazy-Eric, which he shortened to Eazy-E. He also liked the letter E because it was the first letter of his real name, Eric.
What was Eazy-E's net worth at the time of his death?
Eazy-E's net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be around $8 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. However, some sources claim that he was worth much more, as he had invested in various businesses and properties.
Who are Eazy-E's children and who are their mothers?
Eazy-E had seven children by six different mothers. They are:
Eric Darnell Wright Jr., also known as Lil Eazy-E, born in 1984 to Tracy Jernagin.
Erin Bria Wright, also known as E.B., born in 1991 to Tracy Jernagin.
Dominick Wright, born in 1989 to Patricia Brown.
Daijah Wright, born in 1991 to Patricia Brown.
Marquise Wright, born in 1991 to Kisha Woods.
Elijah Wright, born in 1993 to Tomica Woods-Wright.
Baby Eazy-E (E3), born in 1995 to Tomica Woods-Wright.
What are some of Eazy-E's best songs?
Some of Eazy-E's best songs are:
"Boyz-n-the-Hood"
"Eazy-Duz-It"
"We Want Eazy"
"Real Muthaphuckkin G's"
"Foe tha Love of $"
Where can I watch or stream Straight Outta Compton?
You can watch or stream Straight Outta Compton on various platforms, such as:
Netflix
Hulu
Amazon Prime Video
iTunes
YouTube
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