Eazy-E

[WATCH] Ice Cube Says That Eazy-E Blocked Dr. Dre From Producing His Solo Debut Album

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Screenshot 2024 11 13 at 9.30.09 PM

Screenshot 2024 11 13 at 9.30.09 PM

Ice Cube has revealed that his Amerikkka’s Most Wanted LP, the first album that he dropped when he split from the groundbreaking N.W.A. collective, was not produced by Dr. Dre because of the late Eazy-E.

In an in depth interview with Idea Generation, the iconic rap pioneer, actor and film director says that he left Ruthless Records and N.W.A. for real reasons, but none of that impacted his personal relationship with Dre and still wanted his to produce his premiere solo effort. AMW was exclusively produced by New York-based production crew The Bomb Squad, who are primarily known for their production for Pub,lic Enemy.

In the interview, Cube admits, “I still tried to be friends with the guys who had nothing to do with the business. Me and Eazy was shaky, and I didn’t care about Jerry Heller at all, so it wasn’t no love lost there”. He added, “But I tried to keep it together with Dre. I even wanted Dre to produce my solo record, and we was talking about it, but Eazy and Jerry vetoed it.”

Dre and Cube eventually patched it up and worked together on the 1994 song “Natural Born Killaz”, which was intended to be a prelude to a collaboration album, but the idea was ultimately shelved.

Cube is set to drop the 11th album of his career, Man Down, which will be the first full length studio project that he’s released in the past eight years. Man Down is slated to be released within the week.

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Happy Birthday To N.W.A./Ruthless Records Founder Eazy-E(RIP)!

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Despite the fact that the Hip Hop community lost this giant in the game over two decades ago, the legacy of Eazy-E will always be seen, heard and celebrated by the culture of Hip Hop.

Eazy-E was born Eric Lynn Wright on this date in 1964 in Compton, California. As most of his gang-infested Compton neighborhood, Eazy adopted the street life and began a career in selling drugs in the early 80s. Wright earned as much as $250K selling drugs, but quickly reinvested his street profits into the music business, thus starting Ruthless Records.

Not long after, Eazy linked up with O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson, Andre “Dr. Dre” Young and Lorenzo “MC Ren” Paterson and founded “the world’s most dangerous group”, N.W.A. This multi-platinum, Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame group catapulted Eazy’s status to the “godfather of gangster rap”.

Even though the world said goodbye to Eazy in 1995 after his short battle with AIDS, his musical genius continues to live on and influence future generations of Hip Hoppers.

Happy born day Eazy! #RIPEazyE

The post Happy Birthday To N.W.A./Ruthless Records Founder Eazy-E(RIP)! first appeared on The Source.

The post Happy Birthday To N.W.A./Ruthless Records Founder Eazy-E(RIP)! appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip Hop History: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Dropped Their Third LP ‘Art Of War’ 28 Years Ago

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On this day in Hip Hop history, we celebrate a quarter-century of one of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s most popular pieces of work, The Art of War. As a follow-up to the group’s most successful album E. 1999 Eternal, The Art of War did everything but disappoint.  The album kept the group’s momentum up, claiming the top spot on both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts. This album even capitalized on the double LP trend of the 90s in a way that was cohesive and unsaturated.

Originally rumored to be titled DNA Level C or “Cleveland” spelled backward, this album took its current title and became a declaration of war against rappers whom Bone Thugs believed to be imitators of the style they created. Some of the groups and artists targeted were Three 6 Mafia, Twista, Crucial Conflict, and Tommy Wright III. Through this project, Bone Thugs looked to cement themselves as the only soulful east coast gangsta rappers in the industry.

Commercially this album was a great success, selling 349,000 copies in its first week on shelves and going on to be certified quadruple platinum only one year after its release. The album’s two singles were also big hits with “If I Could Teach the World” reaching #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and “Look Into My Eyes” peak at #4 on the same chart.

The post Today in Hip Hop History: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Dropped Their Third LP ‘Art Of War’ 28 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip Hop History: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Dropped Their Third LP ‘Art Of War’ 28 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Why Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline” Is One Of The GOAT Diss Songs

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It’s been over 30 years since Ice Cube released his explosive diss record “No Vaseline,” taking aim at his former N.W.A. group mates and their manager Jerry Heller. Still, the record has gone down in history as one of the most scathing diss records of all time, with Cube himself reaffirming this truth during a recent stage appearance. Maybe the recent feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has reignited the competitive spirit in hip-hop heads around the world, as all-time great diss songs such as “Ether” and “Hit ‘Em Up” have been receiving renewed attention. So, let’s take a moment to examine Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline” record, and see if we can understand exactly why it’s garnered a reputation for being the greatest diss of all time.

Read More: How Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline” Sets The Standard For Diss Tracks

The Impact Of “No Vaseline” In Cube’s Own Words

There are a myriad of contenders for the greatest diss record of all time. Ice Cube took to the stage at the California Roots Festival to explain why “No Vaseline” remains undefeated in his own words. While discussing the state of the culture, Cube specifically name-checks iconic diss performances such as 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up,” Nas’ “Ether,” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” Cube shows reverence to each of these artists and their respective efforts, though he still feels that his own 1991 track reigns supreme.

In a now-viral video of Ice Cube’s comments, the Compton-born MC stated, “I love those songs, but ‘No Vaseline’ is the best diss song in the history of hip-hop. And I’ll tell you why: One MC — myself — I took out four motherf***ers and the manager. You can’t beat that.” It is true that N.W.A. never released another record following Ice Cube’s release of “No Vaseline” in October of 1991. The group’s manager, Jerry Heller, also never managed to find major mainstream success within the music industry following the release of the song. While there were other documented internal issues that added to NWA’s split in the early 90s, it’s hard to argue against Cube’s logic.

Why “No Vaseline” Tops Other Acclaimed Diss Tracks

His California Roots performance is not the first instance of Ice Cube championing his work on “No Vaseline.” The prolific MC turned actor has expressed in multiple interviews and media appearances over the years exactly why tracks such as “Hit ‘Em Up” simply don’t compare. According to Ice Cube, 2Pac’s groundbreaking track doesn’t stack up against “No Vaseline” because he enlisted the assistance of his Outlawz collaborators. Furthermore, the track, while quite scathing, did nothing to halt the momentum of The Notorious B.I.G.’s career. In order for “Hit ‘Em Up” to reach the iconic status of “No Vaseline,” it would require one solo artist to completely halt the career trajectory of his opponent. This simply did not occur.

The same logic applies to Nas’ “Ether.” While Nas did embark upon the iconic Jay-Z diss by himself, the track did nothing to prevent Jay from churning out numerous successful projects shortly thereafter. To Ice Cube’s credit, there aren’t many examples of a single diss track completely dismantling the opponent in a permanent sense in the history of music. Sure, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E continued to find solo success in the wake of “No Vaseline’s” release, but the gangsta rap group that inspired a generation was never able to recover.

Read More: Who Did Ice Cube Influence?

Cube Says He’s Got “Nothing But Love” For His Former Opps

Despite bragging about dismantling the group, Cube claims that “as it stands today, I ain’t got nothing but love for N.W.A.” Ice Cube specifically referenced certain milestones achieved by the group in recent years, such as an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. As part of N.W.A., Ice Cube also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys earlier this year. The group is only the fourth rap group in history to hold this historic honor.

Ice Cube’s beef with N.W.A. was squashed just a few short years after “No Vaseline” dropped, though Cube’s underlying issues with the team’s management remained an everlasting problem. The West Coast MC has reunited with N.W.A. members Dr. Dre and MC Ren on multiple occasions and even served as a producer on the 2015 N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton.

The post Why Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline” Is One Of The GOAT Diss Songs appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Today In Hip Hop History: N.W.A. Dropped Their Second LP ‘Efil4zaggin’ 33 Years Ago

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On this date in 1991, “the world’s most dangerous group dropped their second and final album as a group, ironically titled Efil4zaggin on the Ruthless/Priority imprint.

On the heels of Ice Cube departing from N.W.A. on a sour note to embark on a solo career, the now four-man group was slowly disbanding, but managed to churn out one last full length album. Dr. Dre and D.O.C. left the group to help form Death Row Records shortly after this project was released. The album offered up three singles; the memorable “Always Into Somethin”, “Appetite For Destruction”, which featured an Ice Cube sub and “The Days Of Wayback”. Because of the group’s success, the LP did eventually reach platinum status.

Salute to Dre, Yella, Ren and Eazy for giving us a piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: N.W.A. Dropped Their Second LP ‘Efil4zaggin’ 33 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: N.W.A. Dropped Their Second LP ‘Efil4zaggin’ 33 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Dr. Dre Dropped “Dre Day” From ‘The Chronic’ LP 31 Years Ago

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On this date in 1993, N.W.A. co-founder and then-Death Row Records in-house producer Dr .Dre released the second single from his iconic The Chronic album entitled “Dre Day”. Dre Day was, in fact, a diss record featuring Death Row newcomer Snoop Dogg, who together took aim at Dre’s former partner Eazy-E, Miami Hip Hop pioneer Uncle Luke and Bronx rap nemesis TIm Dog.

Originally titled “Fuck wit Dre Day (And Everybody’s Celebratin’)”, Dre sent shots at former N.W.A. members Eazy-E and Ice Cube, accusing Eazy of cheating N.W.A. members out of their money along with Jerry Heller. This was also the diss track aimed at Cube that ws the catalyst for “No Vaseline”.

In “Dre Day,” Dre vows to “to creep to South Central,” which is Ice Cube’s hometown, “on a Street Knowledge mission,” while Cube’s own record label was initially named Street Knowledge Productions. Dre lyrically “steps in the temple,” evidently alluding to Cube’s affiliation with the Nation of Islam, and claims to “spot him” by a “White Sox hat,” which Cube often donned. Earlier that year, Cube had the single “Check Yo Self.” Dre adds, “You tryin to check my homey, you best check yo self.” Not parodied in the “Dre Day” music video, however, Cube instead would cameo, signaling reconciliation with Dre, in the September 1993 music video of the next and last Chronic single, “Let Me Ride.”

“Dre Day” prompted a response from Eazy-E with “Real Muthaphuckkin G’s”, an EP from Tim Dog titled Bitch With a Perm and Luke even shot back with his second solo album’s song “Cowards in Compton,” whose music video parodies both Dre’s inclusion in the 1980s electro-rap group World Class Wreckin’ Cru and casts Dre and Snoop lookalikes ridiculed in a mock of the “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” music video.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Dr. Dre Dropped “Dre Day” From ‘The Chronic’ LP 31 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Dr. Dre Dropped “Dre Day” From ‘The Chronic’ LP 31 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: NWA Founder Eazy-E Died From AIDS 29 Years Ago

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On this day in 1995, gangster rap pioneer Eric “Eazy-E” Wright succumbed to complications of the AIDS virus less than 10 days after making it known to the public.

Many are able to embody the persona of gangsta rap. That’s thanks to the likes of Schooly D, Ice-T, and N.W.A. The difference between the two formers when compared to the latter is Eazy-E. a true entrepreneur and if it wasn’t the rap game, his money would’ve (as it has) been made regardless.

In 1986, Eazy-E went into business with Jerry Heller to create Ruthless Records. It’s often told that Wright used up to $250,000 of his own money, which he made in the streets, to fund this endeavor. Because of this, as Jerry Heller mentioned in his memoir titled, Ruthless, Eazy-E owned 80% of the rights to the company.

Yeah, I was a brother on the streets of Compton doing a lot of things most people look down on but it did pay off. Then we started rapping about real stuff that shook up the LAPD and the FBI. But we got our message across big time, and everyone in America started paying attention to the boys in the hood.

Ruthless Records would present Dr. Dre to a national audience, as well as Ice Cube. Their method; Gangsta Rap. It would be the harsh lyrics and gritty portrayal of the gang activity, crime, racial discrimination, police brutality, and day-to-day life in a predominately black area during the Reagan/Crack-era that would solidify not only the record company but the groups and acts associated as hip-hop royalty.

Nine short years after, 1995 to be exact, the world would lose Eric “Eazy-E” Wright to complications from AIDS.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: NWA Founder Eazy-E Died From AIDS 29 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: NWA Founder Eazy-E Died From AIDS 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Lil Eazy-E Calls Out Dr. Dre For Not Being Present At Street Naming: “All Of The West Coast Should Be”

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In a recent interview with TMZ at the unveiling of the street named after his late father, Eazy-E, Lil Eazy-E had some words for Dr. Dre. In fact, issued a public call to Dr. Dre, urging the iconic producer to revisit his roots and pay a visit to Eazy-E’s mother. The rapper and son of the N.W.A legend expressed disappointment at the absence of Dr. Dre at Eazy-E’s funeral, recalling that DJ Yella was the sole attendee during his formative years. Lil Eazy-E remarked, “30 years later, do you think I care?” His words resonated with a sense of unresolved disappointment. He underscored the significance of Dre’s absence during a pivotal moment in Eazy-E’s legacy.

Lil Eazy-E believes that given Eazy-E’s profound influence on the West Coast rap scene, Dre, along with the entirety of the west coast region, should acknowledge and honor his father’s contributions. Directly addressing Dr. Dre, Lil Eazy-E extended an invitation for him to reconnect with Eazy’s mother, emphasizing the historical ties between Dre and the family. “Dre, you were on her couch when your mom kicked you out. So you could come sit there and say hi. She is still living and well,” he stated, adding a personal touch to the plea for a reconciliation.

Read More: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s Greatest Hits

Lil Eazy-E

Lil Eazy-E’s central concern appears to be his grandmother’s well-being, wishing Dre blessings while urging him to recognize and pay homage to the familial connections that played a pivotal role in both his and Eazy-E’s lives. This public call out from Lil Eazy-E prompts contemplation on the part of Dr. Dre. It underscores the importance of acknowledging one’s origins and expressing gratitude to those who played a foundational role in shaping one’s journey.

In the realm of hip-hop, where authenticity and respect are integral, this challenge serves as a reminder that even the most iconic figures should remain grounded in the communities that shaped their ascent. Whether Dr. Dre responds to this to reconnect with the roots of his career remains to be seen. But the challenge has undoubtedly opened a dialogue about the enduring ties between hip-hop legends and the communities that forged them. Do you think Dr. Dre and other west coast legends should have been in attendance? Let us know on HNHH!

Read More: Eazy-E “It’s On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa” Turns 30: A Response To “The Chronic”

[Via]

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Eazy-E Dedicated His Life To Compton, So The City Is Finally Repaying Him With A Street Named In His Honor

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In January 2020, Ice Cube stopped by Uproxx‘s People’s Party With Talib Kweli and discussed the backstory of the late Eazy-E’s “Boyz N The Hood.” Cube explained that the song was originally meant for a New York-based group named Homeboys Only, but it wasn’t a lyrical fit, so “[Dr.] Dre convinced Eazy to do it.”

But Eazy-E never needed convincing to stump for Compton, California, his hometown that was put on the map by him, Cube, and the rest of N.W.A. Now Compton will make Eazy-E’s relationship to Compton tangibly and permanently inextricable.

According to several Los Angeles-based outlets, such as ABC7 and KTLA, the 100 block of Auto Drive South, located on Alameda Street and runs into the Gateway Towne Center shopping plaza, will be renamed Eazy Street.

Per The Los Angeles Times, “A block party will be held at the street on November 22 to celebrate the moment with performances and appearances from the ‘Boyz-n-the-Hood’ rapper’s children and his former collaborators.” The paper also noted that Compton City Council previously voted unanimously to rename the street in September.

Eazy-E passed away in March 1995 at just 30 years old. Mere days prior he had publicly disclosed his AIDS diagnosis.

“My dad loved where he was from,” Eazy-E’s daughter, Erica Wright, said in a statement, as per The Los Angeles Times. “Nothing could keep him from Compton. Nothing could keep his parents from Compton. This will forever be a highlight in my life.”

Eazy-E’s son, Eric Darnell Wright Jr. added, “The street naming serves as a symbol of recognition and commemoration, ensuring that our father […] has a legacy that will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”

This is far from the first preservation of Eazy-E’s legacy. In March 2017, for example, N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry in the Library of Congress.

Eazy E, Shunned By Hip-Hop In Death, To Receive His Flowers

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Eazy E

Compton, California, is set to honor Eazy E by renaming a street. The late West Coast rap legend, one of Compton’s first popular rappers and a member of the legendary rap group NWA, will have the city’s Auto Plaza Drive South officially renamed “Eazy Street.” 

Eazy E Honored

Eazy E’s street naming event was partly organized by Alonzo Williams, the mind behind the legendary nightclub Eve After Dark, where NWA members Dr. Dre and DJ Yella performed in their early days. 

The commemorative event celebrating the name change will be held on Nov. 22 and will be open to the public. The location will be in the back of the Chrystal Hotel in Compton. Williams, who is now the President of the Compton Entertainment Chamber of Commerce, took inspiration from former Compton Mayor Omar Bradley’s past efforts to honor Eazy E. 

With this year marking the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Williams felt it was the perfect time to make another attempt, and this time, their efforts were successful.

Eazy E Shunned

Eazy E’s untimely death in 1995 at the age of 31 due to complications of AIDS-induced pneumonia brought about both controversy and conspiracy theories. 

The rapper had fallen ill just weeks before his passing and was later diagnosed with HIV. Eazy E, also known as Eric Wright, had previously admitted to living a promiscuous lifestyle, and possibly contracted the virus unknowingly. However, the stigma surrounding AIDS as the “gay plague” during the 1980s led to misconceptions and shunning of Eazy E’s legacy by some fans in the hip-hop community.

Controversy surrounding Eazy E’s cause of death continues to this day. In a July 2023 interview with Comedy Hype, Williams expressed his doubts about the official narrative, stating:

“I ain’t buying it. To see somebody who was as healthy as Eazy, go in the hospital, coughing and come up dead after a short period of time, that never sat well with me.” 

Williams also addressed Suge Knight’s past remarks about Eazy E being injected with AIDS, refusing to comment on the matter.

Eazy E’s Legacy

Despite the challenges and misinformation surrounding Eazy E’s legacy, the rapper was honored in the 2015 NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton, with actor Jason Mitchell portraying him on screen. This street naming event in Compton is another testament to Eazy E’s impact on the genre and his hometown, solidifying his place in hip-hop history.

In 2021, Eazy E’s daughter, Ebie Wright, publicly called out rap legend Ice Cube for not speaking about her father in a documentary they were working on together. 

The beef between Ice Cube and Eazy E after the latter’s departure from NWA had strained their relationship, leading Ebie to criticize Ice Cube for ignoring her father’s legacy.

Nipsey Hussle Honored With Platinum Certifications

Nipsey Hussle, another late rapper, was also honored posthumously for his contributions to the music industry. The late artist received multiple platinum certifications from the RIAA for his album Victory Lap and several hit songs.

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