Eric Lynn Wright (n. 7 septembrie 1964, Compton, California, SUA – d.

26 martie
1995, Los Angeles, California, SUA), cunoscut sub numele de scenă Eazy-E, a fost un rapper
american, producător și director executiv la casa de discuri din Compton, California. Eazy-E a
făcut parte din gașca Kelly Park Compton Crip în timpul adolescenței și s-a asociat și cu alte
grupări. A vândut droguri în primii ani ai adolescenței, iar apoi a investit bani în industria hip-
hopului. Este cunoscut ca fiind unul din fondatorii genului „gangsta rap” și fondatorul
membru al formației N.W.A, cunoscând mai tarziu un succes comercial în cariera solo. Tipul
vocal al lui Eazy-E a fost marcat de tonul său tare și versurile focalizate pe trăsăturile vieții de
stradă cum ar fi arme, droguri, relațiile dintre nelegiuiți și poliție și activitatea sexuală. De
asemenea a fost gazda unui radio hip-hop în Los-Angeles, KKBT. A murit de SIDA în
condiții neelucidate.

Cariera
Eric Wright, fiul lui Richard și Kathie Wright, a renunțat la liceu în clasa a X-a și s-a
întreținut prin vânzarea de droguri, mai târziu primind o diplomă de liceu. A folosit banii
făcuți din vânzările de droguri pentru a înființa casa de discuri „Ruthless Records”. Când cu
această casa de discuri, Ruthless a semnat Dr. Dre. Deși Ice Cube nu a semnat niciodată cu
Ruthless Records, a scris piesa pentru alt grup numit HBO (Home Boys Only) acestia
necunoscand cateva cuvinte au plecat si Eazy E a cantat piesa „Boyz-n-the-Hood”, Ahmed
Saaoud și Eazy-E au format grupul N.W.A împreună cu Dr. Dre și Ice Cube. Mai târziu, DJ
Yella și Arabian Price s-au alăturat acestei formații.

În această perioadă, Ruthless Records a scos compilația N.W.A and the Posse (1987),
debutul formației N.W.A Straight Outta Compton (1988) și o lună mai târziu albumul solo al
lui Eazy-E, Eazy-Duz-It. Albumul s-a vândut în două milioane de copii, fiind certificat de
două ori cu platină și incluzând hituri ca „We Want Eazy” și „Eazy-Er Said Than Dunn” (un
remix al piesei „Boyz-n-the-Hood” era de asemenea inclus). Albumul a fost produs de către
Dr. Dre și DJ Yella și în mare parte scris de Ice Cube cu contribuții din partea lui MC Ren și
The D.O.C..

În albumul final al formației N.W.A, Niggaz4Life (1991), unele versuri au provocat

dispute între liberali și conservatori. Eazy-E a folosit pistoale și puști în amandouă
videoclipurile pieselor „Alwayz into Something” și „Appetite for Destruction. ".
 Discografie
1988 - Eazy-Duz-It
1992 - 5150 Home 4 Tha Sick
1993 - It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa
1995 - Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton*
1995 - Eternal E
2002 - Impact Of A Legend
Note
^ a b California Birth Index
^ a b http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/28/obituaries/eazy-e-31-performer-who-put-
gangster-rap-on-the-charts.html, accesat în 23 martie 2017 Lipsește sau este vid: |title=
(ajutor)
^ a b Eric Wright, Find a Grave, accesat în 9 octombrie 2017
^ a b Eazy-E, Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
Control de autoritate
BNF: cb139328353 (data) GND: 130003174 ISNI: 0000 0000 5513 7312 LCCN:
n95024969 MusicBrainz: c3009d7a-51ac-4c9c-888a-04f5c3c4be0c VIAF: 24790369
WorldCat Identities (via VIAF): 24790369
Categorii: Rapperi americaniNașteri în 1963Decese în 1995

Eric Lynn Wright (September 7, 1964[2] – March 26, 1995), known professionally as
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".[3]

Born and raised in Compton, California, Wright had several legal troubles before
founding Ruthless in 1987.[4] 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 second 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 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,[5] yet he remained
more significant behind the scenes, signing and nationally debuting the rap group Bone
Thugs-n-Harmony from 1993 to 1994. He died from HIV/AIDS-related illness in 1995.

Early life and Ruthless Records investment

Eric 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.[6][7] His
father was a postal worker and his mother was a grade-school administrator.[8] Wright
dropped out of high school in the tenth grade,[9] but later received a general equivalency
diploma (GED).[10]

No one survived on the streets without a protective mask. No one survived naked. You
had to have a role. You had to be "thug," "playa," "athlete," "gangsta," or "dope man."
Otherwise, there was only one role left to you: "victim."

Jerry Heller on Eazy-E[11]

Wright supported himself mainly by selling drugs, and introduced his cousin to the
illicit occupation.[9] 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".[11] 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. Likewise, 'dope dealer' was a role that accorded you certain
privileges and respect."[11]

In 1986, at age 22, Wright had allegedly earned as much as US$250,000 from dealing
drugs. However, after his cousin was shot and killed, he decided that he could make a better
living in the Los Angeles hip hop scene, which was growing rapidly in popularity.[12] He
started recording songs during the mid-1980s in his parents' garage, thus starting Ruthless
Records.[10][13]

The original idea for Ruthless Records came when Wright asked Heller to go into
business with him. Wright suggested a half-ownership company, but it was later decided that
Wright would get eighty percent of the company's income and Heller would only get twenty
percent. According to Heller, he told Wright, "Every dollar comes into Ruthless, I take twenty
cents. That's industry standard for a manager of my caliber. I take twenty, you take eighty
percent. I am responsible for my expenses and you're responsible for yours. You own the
company. I work for you."[11] Along with Heller, Wright invested much of his money into
Ruthless Records.[14] Heller claims that he invested the first $250,000 and would eventually
put up to $1,000,000 into the company.[11]

Musical career
N.W.A and Eazy-Duz-It (1986–1991)
N.W.A's (also named as "the world's most dangerous group"[13]) original lineup
consisted of Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, and Ice Cube.[15][16] DJ Yella and MC Ren
joined later.[17] The compilation album N.W.A. and the Posse was released on November 6,
1987, and would go on to be certified Gold in the United States.[18][19] The album featured
material previously released as singles on the Macola Records label, which was responsible
for distributing the releases by N.W.A and other artists like the Fila Fresh Crew, a West Coast
rap group originally based in Dallas, Texas.[20][21]

Eazy-E's debut album, Eazy-Duz-It, was released in 1988, and featured twelve tracks. It
was labeled as West Coast hip hop, gangsta rap and, later, as golden age hip hop. It has sold
over 2.5 million copies in the United States and reached number forty-one on the Billboard
200.[10][22] The album was produced by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella and largely written by MC
Ren, Ice Cube, and The D.O.C.[23] Both Glen Boyd from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and
MTV's Jon Wiederhorn claimed that Eazy-Duz-It "paved the way" for N.W.A's most
controversial album, Straight Outta Compton.[24][25] Wright's only solo in the album was a
remix of the song "8 Ball", which originally appeared on N.W.A. and the Posse. The album
featured Wright's writing and performing; he performed on seven songs and helped write four
songs.[26]

Ice Cube left N.W.A in 1989 because of internal disputes and the group continued as a
four-piece ensemble.[17] N.W.A released 100 Miles and Runnin' in 1990 and Niggaz4Life in
1991. A diss war started between N.W.A and Ice Cube when "100 Miles and Runnin'" and
"Real Niggaz" were released. Ice Cube responded with "No Vaseline" on Death Certificate.
[27] Wright performed on seven of the eighteen songs on Niggaz4Life.[28] In March 1991,
Wright accepted an invitation to a lunch benefiting the Republican Senatorial Inner Circle,
hosted by then-U.S. President George H. W. Bush.[29] A spokesman for the rapper said that
Eazy-E supported Bush because of his performance in the Gulf War.[30]

End of N.W.A and feud with Dr. Dre (1991–1994)

N.W.A began to split up after Jerry Heller became the band's manager. Dr. Dre recalls,
"The split came when Jerry Heller got involved. He played the divide and conquer game.
Instead of taking care of everybody, he picked one nigga to take care of and that was Eazy.
And Eazy was like, 'I'm taken care of, so fuck it'." Dr. Dre and The D.O.C. sent Suge Knight
to look into Eazy-E's financial situation as they began to grow suspicious of Eazy-E and Jerry
Heller. Dr. Dre and The D.O.C. asked Eazy-E to release them from Ruthless, but Eazy-E
refused. The impasse led to what reportedly transpired between Suge Knight and Eazy-E at
the recording studio where Niggaz4life was recorded. After he refused to release Dr. Dre and
The D.O.C., Suge Knight told Eazy-E that he had kidnapped Jerry Heller and was holding
him prisoner in a van. This did not convince Eazy-E to release Dr. Dre and The D.O.C. from
Ruthless, and Suge Knight threatened Eazy-E's family: Suge Knight gave Eazy-E a piece of
paper that contained Eazy's mother's address, telling him, "I know where your mama stays."
Eazy-E finally signed Dr. Dre and The D.O.C.'s releases, officially ending N.W.A.[31]

In 1993, Eazy E regularly attended court in the prosecution of the officers involved in
the beating of Rodney King, often standing alongside Theodore J. Briseno, who he had met
through sharing the same lawyer. Eazy E said, "The difference is that most people look at the
video and say four white officers were responsible for the beating of this helpless, innocent
black man. I say, 'Wrong.' Three white officers were responsible for beating Rodney King.
The other officer (Theodore J. Briseno) happens to be Mexican-American, and he tried to stop
them." This caused controversy in the hip-hop community, with Willie D calling Eazy E a
"sellout".[32]

The feud with Dr. Dre continued after a track on Dre's debut album The Chronic, "Fuck
wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin')", contained lyrics that insulted Eazy-E. Eazy
responded with the EP, It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa, featuring the tracks "Real
Muthaphuckkin G's" and "It's On". The album, which was released on October 25, 1993,
contains pictures of Dre wearing "lacy outfits and makeup" when he was a member of the
Electro-hop World Class Wreckin' Cru.[31]
 Personal life
Wright had a son, Eric Darnell Wright (known as Lil Eazy-E), in 1984. He also had a
daughter named Erin,[33] who changed her name to Ebie.[34] In October 2016, Ebie
launched a crowd-funding campaign to produce a film called Ruthless Scandal: No More Lies
to investigate her father's death.[35] It ended unsuccessfully in December 2016.[36]

Wright met Tomica Woods at a Los Angeles nightclub in 1991 and they married in
1995, twelve days before his death.[37] They had a son named Dominick and a daughter
named Daijah (born six months after Wright's death).[38] After Wright's death, Ruthless was
taken over by his wife. According to Jerry Heller, Wright had eleven children with eight
women.[39]

Illness and death

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. Just remember: It's your
real time and your real life.

--Statement from Eazy-E's camp on his behalf, March 16.[40]

On February 24, 1995, Wright was admitted to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los
Angeles with a violent cough.[41] He was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.[42] He announced his
illness in a public statement on March 16, 1995. It is believed Wright contracted the infection
from a sexual partner.[12][43][44] During the week of March 20, having already made
amends with Ice Cube, he drafted a final message to his fans.[45] On March 26, 1995, Eazy-E
died from AIDS-induced pneumonia, one month after his diagnosis.[46][39] He was 30 years
old (most reports at the time said he was 31 due to the falsification of his date of birth by one
year).[10][47] He was buried on April 7, 1995, at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier,
California. Over 3,000 people attended his funeral,[48] including Ice Cube and DJ Yella.[49]
He was buried in a gold casket, and was dressed in a flannel shirt, jeans, and his Compton hat.
His final album, Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton, was released ten months
after his death on January 30, 1996.

Musical influences and style

Logo used by Eazy-E

 Allmusic cites Eazy-E's influences as Ice-T, Redd Foxx, King Tee, Bootsy Collins,
Run–D.M.C., Richard Pryor, Egyptian Lover, Schoolly D, Too $hort, Prince, the Sugarhill
Gang, and George Clinton.[50] In the documentary The Life and Timez of Eric Wright, Eazy-
E mentions collaborating with many of his influences.[51]

When reviewing Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton, Stephen Thomas
Erlewine noted "... Eazy-E sounds revitalized, but the music simply isn't imaginative. Instead
of pushing forward and creating a distinctive style, it treads over familiar gangsta territory,
complete with bottomless bass, whining synthesizers, and meaningless boasts."[52] When
reviewing Eazy-Duz-It, Jason Birchmeier of Allmusic said, "In terms of production, Dr. Dre
and Yella meld together P-Funk, Def Jam-style hip-hop and the leftover electro sounds of
mid-'80s Los Angeles, creating a dense, funky, and thoroughly unique style of their own."
Birchmeier described Eazy-E's style as "dense, unique and funky", and said that it sounded
"absolutely revolutionary in 1988".[50]

Several members of N.W.A wrote lyrics for Eazy-Duz-It: Ice Cube, The D.O.C. and
MC Ren.[53] The EP 5150: Home 4 tha Sick features a song written by Naughty by Nature.
The track "Merry Muthaphuckkin' Xmas" features Menajahtwa, Buckwheat, and Atban Klann
as guest vocalists, and "Neighborhood Sniper" features Kokane as a guest vocalist.[54] It's On
(Dr. Dre) 187um Killa features several guest vocalists, including Gangsta Dresta, B.G. Knocc
Out. Kokane, Cold 187um, Rhythum D, and Dirty Red.[55] Str8 off tha Streetz of
Muthaphukkin Compton featured several guest vocalists, including B.G. Knocc Out, Gangsta
Dresta, Sylk-E. Fyne, Dirty Red, Menajahtwa, Roger Troutman, and ex-N.W.A members MC
Ren and DJ Yella.[56]

Legacy

Graffiti of Eazy-E in Leeuwarden, Netherlands

Eazy-E has been called the "godfather of gangsta rap".[57][58][3][59] MTV's Reid
Shaheem said that Eazy was a "rap-pioneer",[59] and he is sometimes cited by critics as a
legend.[60][61] Steve Huey of AllMusic said that he was "one of the most controversial
figures in gangsta rap".[5] Since his 1995 death, many book and video biographies have been
produced, including 2002's The Day Eazy-E Died and Dead and Gone.[62][63][64]
 When Eazy was diagnosed with AIDS, many magazines like Jet,[65] Vibe,[66]
Billboard,[67] The Crisis,[68] and Newsweek covered the story and released information on
the topic.[69] All of his studio albums and EPs charted on the Billboard 200,[70][71][72] and
many of his singles—"Eazy-Duz-It", "We Want Eazy", "Real Muthaphuckkin G's", and "Just
tah Let U Know"—also charted in the U.S.[72][73]

In 2012 an Eazy-E documentary was released by Ruthless Propaganda, called Ruthless

Memories. The documentary featured interviews with Heller, MC Ren, and B.G. Knocc Out.
[74]

In the 2015 film Straight Outta Compton, Eazy-E is played by Jason Mitchell and the
film is dedicated in his memory.[75]

Eazy-E was then portrayed by Omari Wallace in the 2016 film Surviving Compton:
Dre, Suge & Michel'le. The film portrays Eazy-E sympathetically as having been a friend to
Michel'le, in one scene warning her to get out of the house because he fears that a drunken Dr.
Dre is returning home to beat her.

Discography
Main article: Eazy-E discography
See also: N.W.A discography