NFL
By: Greg Rector
Eazy-E aka Eric Wright (1964-1995) for me was the first name that comes to mind to honor this year as we celebrate #HipHop50 His is still the first name I think of as soon as “Rap” is discussed. He is the rap version of Buddy Holly in the early days of rock and roll. Both came onto the scene quickly and tragically left us too soon. That’s not to slight anyone else like Tupac or Notorious B.I.G. who also passed on way too soon and had huge impacts on the genre. Eazy-E though was just “That Dude” the guy that personified the west coast gangsta attitude, the look, the total package for me.
Compton Cool
We all know the stories of Eazy-E having made a reported $250,000 a year selling drugs. We also know how brutal an area he grew up and lived in was. Slight in stature, he had the “Street Cred” through his selling drugs. I never did condemn him for any part of that lifestyle. It was through those experiences that Wright developed his unapologetic lyricism and charisma that would make him so popular once he turned his attention towards Hip Hop. It also made him smart enough to start Ruthless Records. That’s where he has another parallel with Buddy Holly, both not only were churning their own music they both worked with a lot of others. For me though everything Eazy-E did put Compton front and center. He personified the gangsta attitude and frustrations of being “Straight Outta Compton” and that’s not to say his cohorts in N.W.A. didn’t as well. It was simply that Eazy-E was the one who stood out that much more. His star shone brighter and fans were drawn to his persona much more than anyone else. He was to “gangsta” West Coast rap that the likes of so-called “Rock Gods” Jim Morrison or Robert Plant have been to rock music. They all had an audience in the palm of their hands the second they took the stage.
Marketing Genius
Eazy-E and the rest of N.W.A. were no dummies. Adopting the silver and black as much as possible considering that NFL’s Raiders had moved to Los Angeles and the NHLs Kings had adopted the color scheme as well. They used it to tremendous success to help propel them into being the first supergroup in the genre. Eazy-E could sell ice to those who lived in igloos with no effort really because he truly lived what he rapped about. His authenticity was truly what drew fans to him. There was nothing hidden from his fans (His A.I.D.S. diagnosis notwithstanding) that might be what drew me to not just N.W.A. but especially to Eric Wright. He was the spokesman and as such could draw so many of us into also wanting to wear the sneakers, buy baseball caps, etc.
Influential Still
Despite being gone now for almost 30 years, the influence upon every new generation of Hip-Hop since is clear with Eazy-E. Those who come on strong with a “Thug” persona in the genre, sorry imitators Eazy-E is the first to have that status. Eazy-E was scaring your grandparents. He was your parent’s anti-establishment hero. Sure we also loved what Dr. Dre went on to become along with Ice Cube and others. Eric Lynn Wright aka Eazy-E though has that status even after being gone for so long. Just as Buddy Holly has influenced rock and roll musicians since “The Day The Music Died” it’s Eazy-E’s place in the world of Hip-Hop. Much like the 1960s protest song movement, the early days of West Coast rap spoke so strongly to what was really happening in his world. His work with N.W.A. and his six solo albums are masterpieces. For me though as much as I enjoy new styles, and new artists when I want to stir up the memory bank, there is only one name as it has been since the 80s. EAZY-E!!! if I were to have a “Rap” version of Mt. Rushmore where we have President Washington first, that’s the spot I would give to Eric Wright.
May you be resting well Eazy-E. #HipHop50
