“You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge.” Thirteen years ago, we lost a patriot. Two weeks following the tragic passing of rapper Eric Lynn Wright, better known as “Easy-E,” Compton Mayor Omar Bradley designated April 7 Eazy-E Day in Compton. He’s honored today for “making Compton famous, not just in California but all over the world.” Eazy described himself as a “brother who’ll smother your mother or tell your sister that I love her.” There was nothing shy about Eazy, a former member of the Kelly Park Compton Crips. His adolescent whine style of rapping distinguished him from his counterparts in the rap group N.W.A. Together, N.W.A., which included Dr. Dre, MC Ren, the D.O.C., and a pre-“Are We There Yet?” Ice Cube, achieved double platinum success on their debut album, “Straight Outta Compton,” released under Eazy’s label Ruthless Records. Released on Aug. 8, 1988, “Straight Outta Compton” is regarded in many circles as being the best rap album ever. Time magazine ranked it No. 33 on their list of the 100 Greatest Albums of All Time, saying “virtually all gangsta rap remains a response to or an elaboration of this one album. One of the most controversial albums ever released, but also one of the most influential.” The album “established gangsta rap – and, moreover, West Coast rap in general – as a commercial force, going platinum with no air play and no tours, and crossing over with shock-hungry white teenagers,” according to Billboard. What other rap album inspired a warning letter from the FBI? Personally, no track is better or more definitive of the entire album than the title track “Straight Outta Compton.” But many became N.W.A. fans because of the expletive-laden second track, “Fuck tha Police.” The scene is a courtroom where N.W.A. is on trial against the police department. Honestly, I won’t describe the rest. Just find me, and I’ll play you the song. Dr. Dre remembers what inspired him and Eazy to record it. “It was me and Eazy riding around,” Dr. Dre recalls in a Mar. 10, 2007, interview with World Entertainment News Network. “He had this paintball gun, and he was shooting people at bus stops. The cops caught us and we were face down on the freeway with guns pointed at us.” “We thought it was bullshit, so we went to the studio and created the song.” Say what you will about irreverence to authority, but the song became an instant gangsta rap anthem. And although most of the content of “Straight Outta Compton” describes the gangsta scene in Compton, the album saw influences and samples ranging from James Brown, Kool and the Gang, Beastie Boys, Sly and the Family Stone and, the most perplexing, The Steve Miller Band. Eazy became recognized as the “godfather of Gangsta.” Without Eazy-E, Lil’ Wayne wouldn’t be making it rain, Soulja Boy wouldn’t be cranking it and no one would’ve ever heard of Lil’ Boosie. For anyone unfamiliar with Lil’ Boosie, go to YouTube.com and search “Da Ratchet.” Eazy-E was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in March 1995 with what he thought was acute bronchitis. Numerous tests revealed that Eazy was suffering from the late stages of AIDS. Back then in Compton, it was widely believed that no one could get AIDS without being gay. Eazy’s case led many to worry about contracting the disease themselves. It led Eazy, with the help of Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, to draft a message to the community. “There were great rewards for me personally like fancy cars, gorgeous women and good living,” Eazy said. “I’m not religious, but wrong or right, that’s me. I’m not saying this because I’m looking for a soft cushion wherever I’m heading, I just feel that I’ve got thousands and thousands of young fans that have to learn about what’s real when it comes to AIDS. “Like something good that will reach out to all my homeboys and their kin because I want to save their asses before it’s too late. I’m not looking to blame anyone except myself … It affects everyone.” Eazy-E died March 26, 1995, 10 days after being admitted. Whether people remember his legacy as one mired by controversy or for his later anti-gang efforts, Eazy-E was an inspiration to a legion of millions. He will always be remembered for his chillingly high-pitched delivery and, more somberly, for the way he left this world. Love him or hate him – Eazy-E commands respect. After all, he said it himself: “Give a little gust of wind and I’m jettin’. But leave a memory no one’ll be forgettin’.” “Word to the motherfucker. Straight outta Compton.”
—-Contact Eric Freeman Jr. at [email protected]