Thug Life Army

Hip- hop culture has lost many of their ‘lead’ players over the years. The likes of rap icon’s Tupac Shakur (2Pac) and B.I.G.G.I.E. have taken center stage, mostly because of the ongoing debates surrounding their deaths.

One ‘Icon Figure’ that hip-hop culture has lost is the legendary Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright. Eric Wright, best known as the rapper from Compton ‘Eazy-E’ and CEO and owner of Ruthless Records, was lost to AIDS in 1995.

Eric "Eazy-E" Wright was born September 7, 1964, in Compton, California. He was diagnosed with AIDS in 1995 and just a few weeks later, on March 26, 1995 he passed from this world; but he left his mark in the history of hip-hop culture.

Eric was one of the most controversial figures in gangsta rap. He was a member of the highly controversial rap group N.W.A. and CEO / Owner of Ruthless Records.

Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, and World Class Wreckin'' Cru member DJ Yella (born Antoine Carraby), the Arabian Prince, and the D.O.C. made up the original N.W.A. group. In 1988 the group added MC Ren (born Lorenzo Patterson) and later on 1988 they released ‘Straight Outta Compton’ – and the rest is history.

September 6^th Capitol/Priority Records will release Eternal E: The Best Of Eazy-E -- Gangsta Memorial Edition CD/DVD.

Reviewing this album would be senseless. This is truly a historical biography of Eazy-E's music. Anyone who is aware of Eazy-E’s music will thoroughly enjoy this album, as the memories of the hay day of gangsta rap are revisited.

The music has been re-mastered and along with the CD comes a bonus DVD of 7 music videos with 3 PSA’s.

Partnering with the Kaiser Family Foundation and BET’s Rap-It-Up campaign, the DVD hosts 3 Rap-It-Up Public Service Announcements, creating HIV/AIDS awareness through celebrating Eazy-E, rap pioneer who fell victim to the growing epidemic. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to pediatric AIDS charities.

It is good to see Eazy-E remembered with this commemorative set of some of his greatest tracks, including solo and N.W.A. songs.

Maybe not ‘politically correct’ for today’s climate; it was not ‘politically correct’ then either. The music does show how much different hip-hop and rap is today compared to that time. Younger listeners will be able to hear and see how far, or how low, today’s rap and hip-hop has gone. This music portrays the real west coast gangsta rap – real street rap.

To give this collection anything less than a 10 would be an insult to Eazy-E and his work. This is a MUST HAVE for anyone in hip-hop culture. The work it shows is only a portion of what Eazy-E did for the culture and for gangsta rap and rap in general.

As many times that Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright is over looked, this is truly a gift to the culture. Our hats go off to Capitol and Priority Records, EMI Music BET’s Wrap it up campaign, the Kaiser Family Foundation and everyone who was involved getting this project together.

This is truly a great ‘gift’ offered to us and I hope everyone notices it and takes full advantage of it being offered.

Hip-hop culture has lost many, and it is great to see one of the icon’s in rap remembered this way – thru his work.

"Just remember: it's YOUR real time and YOUR real life." Eazy-E said, in a March 1995 statement publicly announcing his illness.

Release date September 6^th Capitol/Priority Records Eternal E: The Best Of Eazy-E -- Gangsta Memorial Edition CD/DVD’.

Score 10. Buy it, get it – you won’t be disappointed. PLEASE do not burn it or download it off the net. Show respect and support those who bring us these great works.

Track Listing for CD and the DVD

Eternal E: The Best Of Eazy-E -- Gangsta Memorial Edition

     CD 

     1.  Boyz-N-The Hood (remix)

     2.  8 Ball (remix)

     3.  Eazy-Duz-It

     4.  Eazy-er Said Than Dunn

     5.  No More ?'s

     6.  We Want Eazy

     7.  Nobody Move

     8.  Radio

     9.  Only if You Want it

     10. Neighborhood Sniper

     11. I''d Rather F*** You

     12. Automobile

     13. Niggaz My Height Don''t Fight

     14. Eazy Street

     15. Real Muthaphukkin G's

     16. Ole School S***

     17. Lil Eazier Said - unreleased track from Eazy-E’s son; LIL’E.

 DVD

1.  We Want Eazy

2.  Only If You Want It

3.  Eazy-er Said Than Dunn

4.  100 Miles & Runnin''

5.  Neighborhood Sniper

6.  Straight Outta Compton

7.  Appetite For Destruction

And 3 PSA announcements