Eazy-E: The Rise, Controversies, and Tragic End of a Rap Legend

 Eazy-E was a rapper, music producer, and one of the founding members of the influential hip-hop group N.W.A (N****z Wit Attitudes). He rose to fame during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Eazy-E played a significant role in popularizing gangster rap, a subgenre of hip-hop that depicted the harsh realities of street life, gang culture, and social issues in urban areas. 

He co-founded N.W.A with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube and, along with other members like MC Ren, DJ Yella, and The D.O.C, they released their landmark album "Straight Outta Compton" in 1988. The album became a critical and commercial success and is considered one of the most influential rap albums of all time.

As the primary financier of N.W.A's early work, Eazy-E founded Ruthless Records, a record label that played a crucial role in the success of the group and other artists signed under the label. Eazy-E's raw and aggressive style of rapping, along with the controversial and provocative lyrics of N.W.A's songs, garnered both immense popularity and controversy.

Eazy-E's solo career also saw success with albums like "Eazy-Duz-It" and "5150: Home 4 tha Sick." However, his life was tragically cut short when he was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and passed away on March 26, 1995, at the age of 31. His death had a profound impact on the hip-hop community, and he is remembered as a pioneer and icon of gangster rap

Before Eazy-E, considered the godfather of gangster rap, would rub shoulders with Guns N' Roses, Kid 'n Play, Janet Jackson, and even George H.W. Bush at the White House, he paved the way for what would be portrayed by actor Jason Mitchell in the film "Straight Outta Compton." 

Cruising down the street in his sixth-vote, Eazy-E's rise to fame began when he fronted the startup cash to form the notorious rap group N.W.A. 

Coming from Compton with a stable home life, he dropped out of school in the 10th grade to pursue a drug dealing venture after his cousin's death. However, music had always interested him, and he teamed up with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube to invest a quarter of a million in N.W.A. 

While this investment paid off, Eazy-E's business decisions led to the group's eventual demise, causing media feuds with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. Tragically, Eazy-E was diagnosed as HIV positive and passed away from AIDS-related complications on March 26, 1995. The source of his infection remains a subject of debate, with some pointing fingers at Suge Knight.

Eric Wright, born on September 7th, 1963, in Compton, California, had a father named Richard Wright, who worked as a postal worker, and a mother named Kathy Wright, who worked as a grade school administrator. 

Eazy-E lost his virginity at a young age of 12, and by 13, he was hanging out on the streets and earned the nickname "Eazy-E." He got involved with the Kelly Park Compton Crips and started selling drugs, mainly weed, following in his cousin's footsteps.

Although Eazy-E grew up in a stable household, his parents allowed him to sell drugs, and he made enough money to focus less on school. He spent time recording music in his parents' garage and eventually dropped out of William Howard Taft Charter High School in the 10th grade to focus on dealing and music. 

By the age of 20, he became a father, and by 22, he had earned an estimated quarter-million dollars. However, when his cousin, who had taught him about drug dealing, got shot, Eazy-E realized he needed to diversify his business portfolio.

He always had the idea that rap would be his next endeavor, and his opportunity came when he bailed out a local DJ named Dr. Dre. With Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, they created the track "Boyz-n-the-Hood," which became a success, leading to the establishment of Ruthless Records and a partnership with Jerry Heller, the former manager of various renowned artists. 

N.W.A, including DJ Yella and The D.O.C., joined the group, and they released their debut album "N.W.A and the Posse" in 1987. Eazy-E had invested a quarter-million dollars to fund the operation, but their first album alone generated a return of one million dollars.

The following year, the group released "Straight Outta Compton," which achieved double platinum sales. One of the tracks on the album, "F*** Tha Police," resulted in the FBI sending a letter to Ruthless Records. 

While the group reached the peak of success, it appeared that Eazy-E was the only one receiving recognition and money. He was the sole member invited to the White House in 1991 to meet with then-President George H.W. Bush.

As the story goes, Ice Cube departed from the group, followed by Dr. Dre, who sought help from his bodyguard Suge Knight to get out of his contract. This led to Eazy-E becoming a solo act and releasing "It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa" and "Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphu***n Compton."

The original N.W.A. members engaged in public feuds through their tracks and appearances. Eazy-E continued to work on his solo projects, hosted a radio show, and appeared on "In Living Color" in 1994. 

However, his health started deteriorating in 1995. Initially thought to be asthma, it was revealed that Eazy-E had contracted AIDS. He publicly disclosed his HIV-positive status on March 17, 1995.

Rapper Frost, signed to Ruthless Records, went public with his thoughts on how Eazy-E contracted the disease, alleging it happened in Honduras with contaminated needles during quad runners' use.

On his deathbed, Eazy-E married his longtime girlfriend, Tomica Woods, who was pregnant with his second child. Neither Tomica nor the child contracted the disease. 

Eazy-E passed away on March 26, 1995, one month after the diagnosis. At his funeral, over 3,000 people attended, but only DJ Yella from N.W.A. paid his respects. Eazy-E was buried in a gold casket, dressed in jeans, a flannel shirt, and a Compton hat.