Eric Wright (September 7, 1963 –
March 26, 1995), better known by the stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper, producer, and record executive from Compton, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. He was the son of Richard and Kathie Wright. He is widely regarded as one of the founders of the gangsta rap sub-genre who initially rose to fame as a member of the group N.W.A., and as a solo artist.
Eazy-E's style was marked by his youthful, high-pitched voice and his lyrics focusing on the elements of urban street life such as guns, drugs, relations between residents and the police, and deviant sexual activity.
In March 1995, Eazy-E was admitted into Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles with what he believed to be bronchitis. Following comprehensive tests, it was discovered that he was suffering from AIDS, and the illness was in an advanced stage. During the week of March 20, Eazy-E drafted what would be his last message to his fans:
--- "I'm not looking to blame anyone except myself. I have learned in the last week that this thing is real, and it doesn't discriminate. It affects everyone. My girl Tomika and I have been together for four years and we recently got married. She's good, she's kind and a wonderful mother. We have a little boy who's a year old. Before Tomika I had other women. I have seven children by six different mothers. Maybe success was too good to me. I love all my kids and always took care of them. Now I'm in the biggest fight of my life, and it ain't easy. But I want to say much love to those who have been down with me. And thanks for your support. Just remember: It's YOUR real time and YOUR real life."
RIP Eazy E <3