"Born September 7, 1963, Eric "Eazy-E" Wright's early reputation on the streets of Compton, California, was a hustler anxious to apply his street knowledge to a legitimate game. He dropped out of high school in the 10th grade but refused to allow that to impede his success.
In the late '80's he turned to rap music, and along with Ice Cube, Dr.Dre, Dj Yella and MC Ren established the most commercially successful and controversial rap group in the genre's history. As NWA (Niggaz With Attitude), they blasted police brutality and challenged the establishment, eventually taking their message of inner-city struggle to millions of fans worlwide.
As a soloist, Eazy's career was even more incredible. He launched Comptown/Ruthless Records in 1987 and by 1988 had two hit acts--JJ.Fad ("Supersonic") and Michel' le ("Something In My Heart", "No More Lies"). During the summer of the same year, NWA's Straight Outta Compton LP frightened mass media into labeling the group "gangstas". A label the group wore and exploited with such defiance that by the time Eazy released his solo project Eazy-Duz-It that fall, the stage of musical funk and lyrical fight had long been set.
"Boyz-N-The-Hood", "We Want Eazy", "Eazy-Duz-It". His voice fueled a legion of hits. In the early '90's, he joined other West Coast rappers, including MC Hammer, Tone-Loc, Young MC and Ice T in a stop the violence campaign fueled by the single "We're All In The Same Gang". Flanked by NWA, Eazy broke down the doors of mass exposure previously closed to all forms of rap music.
Attempts to rock the young mogul's foundation were generally fruitless. Arrests for performing NWA's biggest hit, "Fuck Tha Police", and other to attempts at censorship in 1989 only fueled NWA and Eazy's success. By the time the group released its last album, Efil4zaggin, in 1991, they had sold more than 6 million records. That doesn't include the multi-platinum solo projects eventually released by Dre, Cube and Eazy.
As a businessman, Eazy built a solid commodity with his Ruthless records label. Among his signings: Above The Law ("Black Superman"), Bone Thugs 'n Harmony ("Tuggish Ruggish Bone", "Foe The Love of $", "First Of Tha Month"), D.O.C., Gangsta Bitch Mentality, Hoes With Attitudes, Kokane and Menajahtwa. His ability to promote and market these acts was on the strength of his persona, which he was marketing by 1994 as host of the "Ruthless Radio Show"(KKBT FM/Los Angeles). As an on-air personality Eazy gave audiences access to his acts, vibed with his fans, and raised his own stakes as a music pioneer.
Few knew the man behind the scenes. His charitable nature benefited such organizations as Athletes And Entertainers For Kids, The City of Hope, United Colors and Make A Wish Foundation. Some of those donations lived through his anonymity, others took on a life of their own.
By the time he was 30, Eazy had survived a swirl of controversy. His "We Want Eazy" lyrics had come to life with everything from his age to his political allegiance coming under scrutiny, but he continued to sell records to his million-plus fan base. Even a conspiracy to assassinate him (uncovered by the usually antagonistic FBI), left Eazy nonplused, with only an even stronger desire to reunite and record with the original members of N.W.A. Unfortunately, part of that goal wasn't to be realized.
Eric Wright died Sunday, March 26, in Los Angeles from complications from AIDS. With only his family at his bedside, he released a statement a week before announcing that he had full blown AIDS and warning others against the dangers of having multiple sexual partners. Yet another message to his always loyal fans.
Months later, on the weekend marking what would have been his 32nd birthday, KKBT/The Beat forewent its regular Saturday and Sunday night programming in order to broadcast a two-hour special on the life and times of one of hip-hop's most influential figures. Once again, Eazy's voice came to life, as it always had on record, and as it always will to those who remember the legacy of a man who refused to be broken.
In an effort to capture what can be categorized as the many voices of Eazy-E, Priority Records has selected 14 of the late rapper's most memorable cuts. From his breakout hits as a soloist to his album excursions with N.W.A, Eternal E takes you back to the partying braggadocio of Eazy-E's youth and the raucous playfulness that was just becoming part of his adult expression.
"8 Ball", a regional favorite from N.W.A.'s Straight Outta Compton LP, not only helped coin L.A.'s latest street term in the '80's, but it also put Eazy and his crew on the map. It's success is what prompted mom-and-pop retailers nationwide to embrace Eazy's first solo LP, Eazy-Duz-It, allowing him to move millions of units on the street and solidifying his credibility as a musical commodity. On the strenght of trash-talking cuts like "Boyz-N-The-Hood", "Eazy Er Said Than Dunn" and the title track (all remembered here as the genesis of West Coast splendor), Eazy spun tales so vivid that many began to wonder whether these stories were based on fact or fiction. Witness "Nobody Move", a robbery laid out for the listener with provoc ative realness. this enticing track courtesy of Dr. Dre and DJ Yella helped move the accounts of reckless abandon to the next level. And showing why he and his music were America's most wanted, Eazy mocked his critics with a feigned interview session on "No More ?'s".
But no cut off this album was more ingenious than "Radio". Utilizing the voice of the man who broke N.W.A on L.A. radio, Greg Mack (of now-defunct rap station KDAY), Eazy moved the crowd, explaining to all within earshot why he was so highly requested and hotly contested. It was "We Want Eazy" on a whole new level, but the irony lied in the fact that he would eventually lead his team to the highest record sales any rap group had ever know ...without radio airplay.
By the time he had released his EP 5150 Home 4 Tha Sick , Eazy had learned how to push buttons. The album shipped gold and cuts like "Only If You Want It" (featuring Naughty By Nature, who also produced), "Neighborhood Sniper" and "Niggaz My Height Don't Fight" continued to fuel the controversy over explicit lyrics and, most importantly, commanded respect for free speech. Eazy's music was raw, it was unbridled and above all, it was validation for those who lived the lives of the characters he portrayed on wax.
Finally, N.W.A.' Efil4zaggin album was the one that best captured Eazy's growing cynism and tongue-in -cheek humor. The inclusion of "Automobile", a bouncy invitation to "take a ride" recited between background chuckles and a "Chopstix" -style piano delivery, is still good for a laugh. The other album cut to be found here, "I'd Rather Fuck You", is another example of Eazy making light of even his own recording persona. Surely it was his crooning rendition of Parliament's "I'd Rather Be With You" that prompted R&B diva Adina Howard to answer his call with her own hit, "Freak Like Me", some four years later.
Eternal E captures the best of Eazy-E's extensive repertoire. Of course, there's still nothing better than listening to the album from wich these tracks come, but at least here you have the good stuff right at your fingertips.
Lynette M. Jones-Fall 1995
