Eric Lynn Wright, better known as Eazy-E, is an influential American rapper who played a key role in popularizing West Coast and gangsta rap through his leadership of NWA and Ruthless Records.
Widely considered the “Godfather of Gangsta Rap,” Wright was born and raised in Compton, California, and had his share of legal troubles before founding the band Ruthless in 1987.
He later teamed up with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre to co-found NWA and released the groundbreaking album Straight Outta Compton formed in 1988. After the band disbanded, Eazy-E continued his solo career and signed with the rap band Bone Thugs-n-Harmony until his death in 1995 from complications of AIDS.
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- Full name: Eric Lynn Wright
- Nickname: Eazy-E
- Date of Birth: September 7, 1964
- Age: 60 (as of 2024)
- Sex: Male
- Birthplace: Compton, California, USA
- Country: United States
- Occupation: Rapper, record producer, entrepreneur
- Height: 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
- Parents: Kathy Wright (mother)
- Siblings: Rodney Wright (brother)
- Spouse: Tomika Woods Wright
- Children: Eric Darnell Wright, Ebie Wright, Dominick Wright and Daijah Wright
- Marital status: Married
- Net worth: $50 million
Early life and education
Eazy-E, whose real name is Eric Lynn Wright, is now in his 70s and will turn 60 in 2024. He was born on September 7, 1964, in Compton, California, a suburb of Los Angeles known for its high crime rate and rampant gangs.
His father, Richard Wright, worked for the postal service, and his mother, Kathy Wright, was an elementary school administrator. Although Wright dropped out of school in the tenth grade, he later earned a GED.
To make ends meet, Wright primarily dealt in drugs and introduced his cousin to the illegal trade.
Wright’s music manager, Jerry Heller, recalled seeing Wright selling marijuana, but not cocaine. Heller argued that Wright’s involvement in the drug deal was an act of self-defense.
Wright also earned the label of a “thug,” a term Heller attributes to the dangerous environment in which he grew up.
According to Heller, being called a “thug” afforded him a degree of protection and respect in his neighborhood. Likewise, being called a “drug dealer” afforded him a degree of privilege and status.
By 1986, at the age of 22, Wright had reportedly amassed approximately $250,000 from drug dealing. However, after his cousin was tragically killed in a shooting, he chose to pursue a more lucrative career in the burgeoning Los Angeles hip-hop music scene.
He began recording music in the mid-1980s, setting up a makeshift studio in his parents’ garage and laying the foundation for Ruthless Records.
personal life
In 1984, Wright gave birth to a son named Eric Darnell Wright, better known as Lil Eazy-E. He also had a daughter named Erin Wright, who later changed her name to Ebie Wright.
In October 2016, Ebie launched a crowdfunding campaign to finance a film called Ruthless Scandal: No More LiesThe campaign was intended to investigate the circumstances of her father’s death. Unfortunately, it came to nothing in December 2016.
Wright met Tomica Woods in 1991 at a Los Angeles nightclub and exchanged vows on March 14, 1995 (12 days before Wright’s death).
They were blessed with a son, Dominick Wright, and a daughter, Daijah Wright, who was born six months after Wright’s death.
After Wright’s death, Ruthless Records was managed by his wife. According to Jerry Heller, Wright had 11 children with 8 women.
Profession
Eazy-E’s music career took off in 1986 when he co-founded Ruthless Records with Jerry Heller, an endeavor that proved instrumental in launching Eazy-E into the spotlight.
In 1987, he formed NWA with Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella. The band’s debut album Straight Outta Comptonwhich received widespread acclaim and controversy for its realistic portrayal of life in Compton.
NWA’s original members included Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E and Ice Cube, and were called “the most dangerous band in the world.” Later, DJ Yella and MC Ren also joined the group.
Their compilation NWA and Posse It was released on November 6, 1987 and was eventually certified gold in the U.S.
The album showcased tracks that had previously been released as singles under Macola Records, a label that also released work by NWA and other bands such as Fila Fresh Crew, a West Coast rap band originally from Dallas, Texas.
Eazy-E’s first solo album, Easy Duzreleased in 1988, contains 12 songs. It has been categorized as West Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, and later as a Golden Age hip-hop work, and has sold over 2.5 million copies in the United States and peaked at number 41 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album was produced by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella, with MC Ren, Ice Cube and The DOC making significant contributions to its production.
From Seattle Post-Intelligencer MTV’s Jon Wiederhorn suggests Easy Duz It laid the foundation for NWA’s controversial album, Straight Outta Compton.
It is worth noting that Wright’s only solo work on this album is a remix of “8 Ball”, originally included on NWA and PosseHe sang seven songs and wrote four.
In 1989, Ice Cube left NWA due to internal conflicts, and the band disbanded as a four-member group. NWA subsequently released Run 100 miles In 1990, Niggaz4Life 1991. Following the release of 100 Miles and Runnin’ and Real Niggaz, tensions between NWA and Ice Cube escalate into a diss war. Ice Cube fights back on his album No Vaseline. death certificate Album.
Wright contributed to seven of the 18 songs. Niggaz4LifeIn March 1991, Wright attended a luncheon hosted by President George H.W. Bush in support of the Republican Senate Caucus. Wright’s spokesman said that Wright supported Bush because of his stance during the Gulf War.
Awards
- MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video (1991) – “F**k tha Police” featuring NWA
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of NWA (2016)
net worth
Eazy-E had an estimated net worth of $50 million at the time of his death, a fortune largely attributed to his success as a rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur.
die
Tragically, Eazy-E passed away on March 26, 1995 at the age of 30. His death from complications of AIDS sparked widespread mourning and reflection in the music industry.
dispute
Eazy-E’s career has not been without controversy. He has been criticized for explicit lyrics and depictions of violence in his songs. Additionally, his turbulent relationship with members of NWA, especially Ice Cube, fueled tensions within the band. After his death, rumors and speculation about his illness and the circumstances of his death also sparked controversy.
social media
Filmography
Discography
- Easy Duz
- 5150: Home 4 Sick
- Let’s Go (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa
- “Fuck the police”
- “Jaw Check”
- “no longer”
- “Gangster Gangster”
- “Dopeman”
- “Express Yourself”
- “Still obsessed”
books
- Ruthless: A Memoir By Jerry Heller and Gil Reavill
