On this day in 1995, gangsta rap pioneer Eric “Agie” Wright succumbed to AIDS complications less than 10 days after he released his diagnosis.
Numbers in hip-hop history embody the essence of gangsta rap like Eazy-e. Artists like Schoolly D and Ice-T helped lay the foundations, but with the NWA it was Eazy-E. A true entrepreneur, Eazy’s success wasn’t just limited to rap. His business instincts ensured he would make money regardless of the industry.
In 1986, Eazy-E teamed up with Jerry Heller to launch Ruthless Records, reportedly investing up to $250,000 in his own street-earning money to fund the label. As Heller later detailed in his memoirs ruthlessEazy maintained 80% ownership of the company. This was a power movement that was rare in the music business at the time.
“Yeah, I was a sibling who does a lot on the streets of Compton, and most people looked down, and that paid off. Then we started rapping about the real thing that rocks the LAPD and the FBI.
Through his ruthless record, Eazy-e introduced Dr. Dre and Ice Cube to audiences all over the country, helping to shape the sound and culture of West Coast hip hop. Their car? Gangsta rap. With live lyrics and unfiltered storytelling, they tackle the struggles of gang activities, crime, racism, police brutality, and the black community amidst the prevalence of Reagan-era rifts. This uncompromising approach solidifies the ruthless record, the NWA, and its partnership acts as hip-hop royalty.
Nine years after the creation of the label, the world lost Eazy-e. His time has been shortened, but his legacy remains unruly and is woven forever into the structure of hip-hop culture.
