Thug Life Army

September 7, 1963 a young man entered this world and no one knew of the mark he would leave in hip hop history.

Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright would have been 43 years old today and when we look back at how he changed the course of hip hop and rap, we can only look back in respect and in awe of his genius.

Not only is Eazy-E remembered as a rap artist with the gangsta rap group NWA, he also was a solo rap artist, hip hop producer, record executive, and the ‘Godfather of Gangsta Rap’ from Compton, California.

Eric’s parents, Richard Wright and Kathie Lolis, had no idea that their sons classmate, O'shea Jackson a.k.a. Ice Cube, was going to be a future crewmate of their sons in the ground breaking hip hop crew N.W.A..

During those early years, Eric Wright was a Kelly Park Compton Crip, also known as CPT K-Rhider Crips, from Southeast Compton and he began selling drugs.

As time went on Eric inherited some funds when his grandmother passed and with the help of his business partner and manager Jerry Heller they formed Ruthless Records and the hip hop landscape forever changed.

Eazy-E recruited his friend Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre, MC Ren, DJ Yella, The D.O.C. and Arabian Prince to form the group N.W.A. and signed them as the first act signed to his newly formed Ruthless Records.

Eazy-E never started out to be a hip hop or rap artist. His mindset was on the business end of things, but through circumstances he spit a track and everyone noticed his talent with his unique vocal sound and style – a rap star was born.

Over time Eazy had confrontations with rival label Suge Knights Death Row Records and then there were the inter-Ruthless struggles with Dr. Dre, (sometime in 1991), jumping ship and the misunderstanding with fellow N.W.A. members, including Eazy’s friend Ice Cube.

In 1995, Eazy-E entered the hospital with what he believed to be bronchitis. Instead he was diagnosed with AIDS, and almost immediately announced his illness to the public. He died soon after, on March 26, 1995 at approximately 6:35 PM at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, closing a chapter in hip hop that will never be copied. Eric Wright was 31 years old when he died.

Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright led a life that some may envy and some may hate, but his legacy is one of a smart business man and the ‘Godfather of Gangsta Rap’. Although a small man in stature, Eric was 5’6’’, his legacy is huge and his time spent with us was not wasted.

When we listen to hip hop and rap there are many Eric influences, even to this day. Artists that he had discovered and developed – Bone Thug-N-Harmony for example, are still making music.

With his street savvy and business skillz Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright earned his place in the hip hop history books.

Sometimes the legacy of Eric Wright is overlooked and a lot of emphases is put on the passing of Tupac Shakur (2Pac) and Biggie. Maybe it is because of the way that Eric left us or it could be just some hating on him; still after his passing.

What ever the mainstreams reasons remember the fans and the streets build the legends of Hip Hop and Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright was one of us, he was from the street and unlike the artists we have today, Eazy lived in Compton his whole life. He never ran off to a gated community and told us about the street from behind locked gates. He was as real as real can get and he deserves our respect and remembrance.

Don’t let the memory of this true legend of hip hop like Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright be lost or over shadowed by others who have passed or those that may be coming up. Eric ‘Eazy E’ Wright paved the way for the ones coming up, and he contributed and helped build the hip hop and rap game. So anything that comes after that we can in part thank Eric Wright for.

Just never forget; always remember and appreciate where the roots of hip hop, rap and gangsta rap came from. R.I.P. – Eric ‘Eazy E’ Wright, we remember you this day that you entered the world. Pour out a lil liquor for ya homie, you are surely missed. Much Luv.