Eazy-E

Lore & Background

Born in Compton, California, Wright had several legal troubles before founding Ruthless in 1987. After a short solo career with frequent collaboration with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, they (along with Arabian Prince) formed N.W.A together that same year, and DJ Yella and MC Ren were later recruited. The group debuted with the split/compilation album N.W.A. and the Posse (1987), followed by Straight Outta Compton (1989). The group released its second and final studio album, Niggaz4Life, in 1991, and soon after disbanded.

During N.W.A's splintering, largely by disputes over money, Eazy-E became embroiled in bitter rivalries with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. Resuming his solo career, Eazy-E released two EPs, yet he remained more significant behind the scenes, signing and nationally debuting the rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony from 1993 to 1994. In 2016, Wright (posthumously) along with Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and DJ Yella, as members of N.W.A, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Reader's Guide

Eazy-E's debut album, Eazy-Duz-It, was released in November 1988. His later EPs include 5150: Home 4 tha Sick (December 1992) and It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa (October 1993). His final album, Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton, was released ten months after his death, on January 30, 1996.

Did You Know?

• Eazy-E was born in Compton, California, and dropped out of Compton High School in the tenth grade, later earning a GED.
• He supported himself mainly by selling drugs before founding Ruthless Records in 1987.
• N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton (1989) is now ranked among the greatest and most influential albums ever.