# Eazy-E

> American rapper (1964-1995)

**Wikidata**: [Q36804](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q36804)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eazy-E)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eazy-e

## Summary

Eazy-E was born on September 7, 1964, in Compton [1]. He was a citizen of the United States . His education included attendance at Truro Learning Academy, Compton High School, Manuel Dominguez High School, and William Howard Taft Charter High School .His occupations included rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, drug trafficker, chief executive officer, and music executive . Eazy-E died on March 26, 1995, in Los Angeles [2][3][4]. The cause of his death was HIV/AIDS .

## Summary
Eazy-E was an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur who co-founded the hip-hop group N.W.A. and the record label Ruthless Records. A central figure in popularizing gangsta rap, he is credited with shaping West Coast hip-hop and bringing it to mainstream audiences. His raw, unapologetic lyrics and entrepreneurial ventures left a lasting impact on the music industry.

## Biography
- **Born**: September 7, 1964  
- **Nationality**: United States  
- **Education**: Hawthorne High School, Compton City College, El Camino College, Dominguez Hills High School  
- **Known for**: Co-founding N.W.A., pioneering gangsta rap, founding Ruthless Records  
- **Employer(s)**: Ruthless Records, N.W.A.  
- **Field(s)**: Hip-hop, music production, entrepreneurship  

## Contributions
- **N.W.A.**: Co-founded the group in 1986, contributing to albums like *Straight Outta Compton* (1988), which brought national attention to gangsta rap.  
- **Ruthless Records**: Launched the label in 1987 with Jerry Heller, signing artists such as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Michel’le.  
- **Solo Work**: Released debut album *Eazy-Duz-It* (1988), which sold over 3 million copies and popularized the G-funk sound.  
- **Genre Influence**: Played a key role in defining gangsta rap and West Coast hip-hop, addressing social issues like police brutality and systemic racism.  

## FAQs
**What was Eazy-E’s cause of death?**  
Eazy-E died on March 26, 1995, from complications related to AIDS-induced pneumonia.  

**What groups and labels was Eazy-E associated with?**  
He co-founded N.W.A. and Ruthless Records, and worked with Priority Records, MCA Records, and Relativity Records.  

**What were Eazy-E’s most notable songs and albums?**  
His solo debut *Eazy-Duz-It* (1988) and N.W.A.’s *Straight Outta Compton* (1988) are landmark works. Hits include "Boyz-n-the-Hood" and "Express Yourself."  

**How did Eazy-E influence hip-hop culture?**  
He helped shift hip-hop’s focus to raw, street-level narratives and laid the groundwork for West Coast rap’s commercial dominance in the 1990s.  

## Why They Matter
Eazy-E revolutionized hip-hop by amplifying the voices of marginalized communities through unfiltered lyrics about life in Compton. His entrepreneurial acumen in building Ruthless Records provided a platform for iconic artists, while his role in N.W.A. challenged societal norms and inspired generations of musicians. Without Eazy-E, gangsta rap’s mainstream trajectory and the global influence of West Coast hip-hop would be unrecognizable.

## Notable For
- **Co-founder of N.W.A.**: A group that redefined hip-hop’s political and cultural voice.  
- **Founder of Ruthless Records**: A label that launched the careers of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and Eazy-E himself.  
- **Pioneer of Gangsta Rap**: Brought gritty, street-oriented storytelling to national prominence.  
- **Cultural Icon**: Symbolized rebellion and authenticity in 1980s–90s hip-hop.  

## Body

### Early Life and Education  
Eric Lynn Wright was born on September 7, 1964, in Compton, California. He attended Hawthorne High School, Compton City College, El Camino College, and Dominguez Hills High School, though his focus shifted early to music and entrepreneurship.

### Career  
- **N.W.A.**: Formed in 1986 with Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella, the group’s 1988 album *Straight Outta Compton* sparked controversy and acclaim for its explicit content.  
- **Ruthless Records**: Launched in 1987, the label became a hub for West Coast talent, releasing N.W.A.’s early work and Eazy-E’s solo projects.  
- **Solo Success**: *Eazy-Duz-It* (1988) reached platinum status, blending humor with stark depictions of life in South Central Los Angeles.  

### Musical Style and Impact  
Eazy-E’s lyrics addressed police brutality, poverty, and gang violence, resonating with marginalized communities. His adoption of the G-funk sound, characterized by Parliament-Funkadelic-inspired beats, became a hallmark of 1990s West Coast hip-hop.  

### Death and Legacy  
Diagnosed with AIDS in 1995, Eazy-E died on March 26, 1995, at age 30. His death raised awareness about HIV/AIDS in the Black community. Posthumous albums like *Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton* (1996) solidified his legacy, while his influence endures in artists like Kendrick Lamar and Game.  

### Associated Acts and Labels  
- **Groups**: N.W.A., The D.O.C.  
- **Labels**: Ruthless Records, Priority Records, MCA Records.  
- **Collaborators**: Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, Jerry Heller.  

### Cultural Legacy  
Eazy-E’s unapologetic artistry and business acumen transformed hip-hop into a vehicle for social commentary and economic empowerment. His life and work continue to inspire discussions about race, class, and artistic freedom in music.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BlackPast.org
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. MusicBrainz
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [California Birth Index](http://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/eric_l_wright_born_1964_9042083)
7. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/28/obituaries/eazy-e-31-performer-who-put-gangster-rap-on-the-charts.html)
8. Find a Grave
9. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Google Knowledge Graph
12. The Movie Database
13. Genius
14. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Eazy-E-4DGB3)
15. [gnudb.org about Eazy-E.](https://gnudb.org/artists/1482411-eazy-e)