When we rewind the tape deck holding the history of Rap music it may be impossible to overlook the impact of Eric Lynn Wright better know to the world as Eazy E
A self made mogul claiming his fame as a pioneer of not only gangster rap but also of the independent artist infrastructure Eazy E has left his mark on Rap music unlike any other. Today, March 26, 2015 is the 20th Anniversary of Eazy E’s death. TheSource.com looks back at the impact Easy made 20 years later.
A founding member of infamous rap group N.W.A., Eazy E a.k.a. Eric Wright brought gangster rap to the national stage alongside Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella. With an unapologetic lyricism and charisma that captured the attitude and frustrations of the hood, this group took the world by storm. An innovative businessman, Easy founded Ruthless Records and built a decade long career working with everyone from Bootsy Collins to Bone Thugs ‘n’ Harmony, to Snoop Dogg, and even Rudy Ray Moore. With a signature delivery and authenticity, Eazy E provided not only a voice to the west coast rap scene but also a mentality of machismo waiting to be tested by the tribulations of life in the ghetto.
Tragically to the surprise of the entire rap community, the west-coast Hip Hop pioneer was diagnosed with AIDS in February of 1995, and succumbed to the disease only a month later on March 26, 2015 at 6:35 PM (PST) at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LosAngeles. He was 31 years young. With his passing Eazy left behind seven children, six solo albums, and a legacy that brought the streets of Compton to the heart of the Rap community. Today you can hear the echoes of his influence on the radio still commanding us all to remember his contributions every time we hear “F*#k the Police”… Rest in Power Eazy E!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=246lUss39JY
– Def Soul (DefSoulNJ)