The hip hop community has experienced many losses over the years, loosing such icons of the culture as Tupac Shakur (2Pac), Notorious BIG, Jam Master Jay and a host of others.
As the hip hop community remembers and recognizes these icons may times the tragic loss of one of the most beloved and innovative icons of the hip hop culture is overlooked.
The tragic loss of Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright, before his time; is often over shadowed, possibly by the passing of Tupac (2Pac), another well loved hip hop icon from the west coast. It seems Eric does not get the full credit and admiration he deserves nor is he remembered for his accomplishments in the music and entertainment fields.
From the streets of Compton to NWA to Ruthless Records,, Eric ‘Eazy–E’ Wright made his mark. And it is sad that he is not remembered in the way that some other artist we have lost are remembered.
Ruthless Records brought us many gangsta rap tracks. Eazy paved the way for the gangsta rap movement. He had Dr. Dre, he discovered and brought us the Bone Thugs. He added so much to the ‘rap’ game with his street savvy and business skillz.
I have always enjoyed and respected Eazy’s work and his tracks still are played here with the same enthusiasm as they were in the 90’s.
March 26, 1995 at the aged of 31, Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright passed from this world, , ten days after being admitted into LA's Cedars-Sinai hospital on 24 February. He went for a lung problem. When he was diagnosed as having full-blown AIDS, Wright made no bones about it. He was the first rapper ever to admit such status. Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright passed away of AIDS
Eric Lynn Wright (September 7, 1963–March 26, 1995), better known by the stage name Eazy-E, was an American Hip Hop Icon, a rapper, producer, and record executive from Anoush Street in Compton.
He was a Kelly Park Compton Crip (although he was connected to many other Crip gangs) from the early teenage years, and until his death. He is widely regarded as the founder of the gangsta rap sub-genre and initially rose to fame as a member of the group N.W.A, but later achieved critical and commercial success as a solo artist. Eazy-E's vocal style was marked by his youthful, high-pitched voice and his lyrics focusing on the elements of urban street life such as guns, drugs, relations between residents and the police, and deviant sexual activity. He had also for some time hosted a hip-hop radio show on Los Angeles-based radio station KKBT.
Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright is buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.
We can only imagine how different the ‘game’ would be today if Eric were still with us, but what he started and contributed to, is what we still enjoy – and that is west coast gangsta rap.
Don’t let the memory of this true legend 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 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 rap and hip hop came from. Rest in Peace – Eric ‘Eazy E’ Wright – One Luv.
