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〕 |birth_place = Compton, California, U.S. |death_date = |death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S. | death_cause = AIDS |parents = Richard Wright, Kathie Wright |occupation = |genre = |years_active = 1986–1995 |label = |associated_acts = |website = }} Eric Lynn Wright〔〔("Celebrities We've Lost To AIDS | Lifestyle|BET.com" ). Bet.com. 2007-11-19〕 (September 7, 1964 – March 26, 1995), better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright is affectionately called "The Godfather of Gangsta Rap". He was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California. After dropping out of high school in the tenth grade, he supported himself primarily by selling drugs before investing in Ruthless Records and becoming a rapper. When Ruthless artist Ice Cube wrote "Boyz-n-the-Hood", Dr. Dre, Cube, and Eazy formed N.W.A. After DJ Yella, MC Ren, and Arabian Prince joined the group, N.W.A released ''N.W.A. and the Posse''. In 1988, they released their most controversial album, ''Straight Outta Compton''. The group released two more albums and then disbanded after Eazy released Dr. Dre from his contract. Eazy's main influences included 1970s funk groups, contemporary rappers, and comedians. When reviewing Eazy's albums, many critics noted his unique overall style, with Steve Huey of the All Music Guide remarking: "While his technical skills as a rapper were never the greatest, his distinctive delivery...over-the-top lyrics, and undeniable charisma made him a star." ==Early life and Ruthless Records investment== Eric Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright on September 7, 1964, in Compton, California, a Los Angeles suburb notorious for gang activity and crime.〔Hochman, Steve (1995-03-28). ("Rap Star, Record Company Founder Eazy-E Dies of AIDS Music: Singer, entrepreneur helped popularize 'gangsta' style with the group N.W.A. and later became a top-selling solo artist" ). ''Los Angeles Times''.〕〔("Hip-Hop News: Remembering Eric 'Eazy-E' Wright" ). Rap News Network. 2006-03-26〕 His father was a postal worker and his mother was a grade school administrator. Wright dropped out of high school in the tenth grade,〔 but later received a high-school general equivalency diploma (GED).〔Pareles, Jon (1995-03-28). ("Eazy-E, 31, Performer Who Put Gangster Rap on the Charts" ). ''The New York Times''.〕 Wright supported himself primarily by selling drugs, introduced to the occupation by his cousin. Wright's friend Jerry Heller admits that he witnessed Wright selling marijuana, but says that he never saw him sell cocaine. As Heller noted in his book ''Ruthless: A Memoir'', Wright's "dope dealer" label was part of his "self-forged armor".〔 Wright was also labeled as a "thug". Heller explains: "The hood where he grew up was a dangerous place. He was a small guy. 'Thug' was a role that was widely understood on the street; it gave you a certain level of protection in the sense that people hesitated to fuck with you. Likewise, 'dope dealer' was a role that accorded you certain privileges and respect." In 1986, at the age of 22, Wright had allegedly earned as much as US$250,000 from dealing drugs. However, after his cousin was shot and killed, he decided that he could make a better living in the Los Angeles hip hop scene, which was growing rapidly in popularity. He started recording songs during the mid-1980s in his parents' garage.〔 The original idea for Ruthless Records came when Wright asked Heller to go into business with him. Wright suggested a half-ownership company, but it was later decided that Wright would get eighty percent of the company's income, and Heller would only get twenty percent. According to Heller, he told Wright, "Every dollar comes into Ruthless, I take twenty cents. That's industry standard for a manager of my caliber. I take twenty, you take eighty percent. I am responsible for my expenses, and you're responsible for yours. You own the company. I work for you."〔 Along with Heller, Wright invested much of his money into Ruthless Records.〔Hunt, Dennis (1989-10-22). ("Dr. Dre Joins an Illustrious Pack In the last year, producer has hit with albums for N.W.A, Eazy-E, J. J. Fad and the D.O.C." ). ''Los Angeles Times''.〕 Heller claims that he invested the first $250,000, and would eventually put up to $1,000,000 into the company.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Eazy-E」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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