Eric "Eazy-E" Wright lived a life that went up and down. He started out as a low profile gangster rapper that few people knew. Also he came from a small town out of Los Angeles that was not well known either. Though when Eazy-E went out everyone knew where he came from and who he was.
The life of gangster rapper Eazy-E began on September 7, 1963, in Compton, California. His parents were both successful workers, his father was a postal worker and his mother a school teacher. Eazy-E lived his life hating police violence, but surprised people by lending his support to, police officer, Theodore Briseno. Briseno was one of the suspects in the Rodney King beating. Thigpen wrote what Eazy commented, "'Everyone thinks four white officers beat up Rodney King. That's wrong. Briseno is a Mexican American, and he happens to be the only person who tried to stop it.'" Eazy-E was criticized by many people because of this, but was quoted by Thigpen, "'I don't care what people say. I'd rather be a leader than a follower.'" Eazy-E received support from his wife Tomika Woods-Wright, whom he married in the hospital days before he died. When Eazy-E was not helping people he was rapping about what he believed
After Eazy-E left home and went out on his own he went to the music business. He started the record label Ruthless Records, and is the founding father of the rap group N.W.A., Niggaz With Attitude. N.W.A. was made up of rappers Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and MC Ren that put together two CDs that reached the #1 spot on the Billboard charts, and a few other CDs N.W.A. was the same as any other group, they all wanted to be the leader. So in 1990 they were fed up and started to break up. The first ones to go onto become soloist were Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. After N.W.A. split up Eazy-E also became a soloist, releasing five CD's one of which hit #5 on the Billboard, "It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa." Eazy-E was not just a song writer, but a man who helped charities raise money. Because of this he was invited to join the Republican Senatorial Inner Circle and have lunch with president George Bush. Eazy-E was also noticed when he released "Str8 Off Tha Streetz of Muthaphu—in Compton," that tells about who he really is. Eazy was not the only one being produced by Ruthless Records, new CDs by MC Ren, Chris Tucker, and many others are scheduled to be released in 1998. Because of Eazy-E, Ruthless Records became a very well known business.
Eazy-E's life and career were running strongly until the news of his illness hit the news. On March 16, 1995, Eazy-E was diagnosed with AIDS. That day Eazy-E released a press conference on his illness. Dan Snierson quoted Eazy-E at his press conference, "'I may not seem like a guy you'd pick to preach a sermon, but I feel it's now time to testify.'" David Wild also quoted Eazy, "'Like the others before me, I would like to turn my own problem into something good that will reach out to all my homeboys and their kin, because I want to save their asses before it's too late.'" He was hospitalized February 24, 1995, March 26 he died. Eazy-E was one of the first major rappers to die from AIDS, and is being watched by many because of it. Before Eazy died he was visited by N.W.A. members, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, and fellow rappers Hammer and Snoop Doggy Dogg. Eazy-E's death has opened up AIDS to people who thought it could not happen to someone they knew. Eazy-E's death had the same effect on people as Magic Johnson's did. His death has also boosted his record sales. While Eazy was dying he was in the middle of an album titled "Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaph---in Compton." When Eazy died his CD was not finished, so his close friend DJ Yella finished it for him. After Eazy-E died his wife, Tomica Woods-Wright, was left with Ruthless Records, and three children. Tomica stated that she wants to keep Ruthless open to groundbreaking artists, the way Eazy had it. His death will always be remembered by those close to him, because he opened their eyes to death and AIDS.
Rapper Eazy-E lived a tough life. He started out as just a normal guy until he hit the music business. He went from unknown to well known in a year due to the publicity he received. Eazy-E was a great person and rapper, and will always be remembered for what he did, not for what he did not do.
