Died On This Date (March 26, 1995) Eazy-E / N.W.A.

Eazy-E (Born Eric Wright)
September 7, 1963 – March 26, 1995

Eazy-E was a groundbreaking rapper who, along with his group, N.W.A. was a pioneer of the gangsta rap genre.  During the mid ’80s, Eazy-E co-formed N.W.A. while also starting his own label, Ruthless Records, through which he released the group’s records.  In 1988, N.W.A. released their landmark album, Straight Outta Compton, which made a massive impact on both music and pop culture in general.  With its hard hitting lyrics strewn with violence and profanity, it offered a glimpse of the inner city life, appealing to both urban kids and those from the suburbs alike.  The album sold over three million copies and is often cited as one of the most important albums of all time.  Shortly after the release of it, Eazy-E released his own Eazy-Duz-It which also sold in the multi-million copy range.  N.W.A.  group broke up in 1991, reportedly over money issues.  Eazy-E continued to release solo albums through the early ’90s.  On March 16, 1995, Eazy-E went to the hospital complaining of what he assumed were asthma-related issues.  But to the shock of friends, family and fans, he was diagnosed with AIDS and died as a result of it just ten days later.  He was 31 years old.

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