His taste for cartoonish vulgarity began to undermine the claims of realistic inner-city reporting that the group members had used to defend themselves. E seized the opportunity to release a solo project later in the year, titled Eazy-Duz-It, which would be the only full-length album he would complete it went on to sell well over two million copies.Īfter Ice Cube's bitter departure from N.W.A toward the end of 1989 (precipitated in part by Heller's business tactics), Eazy-E took over his not inconsiderable share of the rapping and songwriting duties, becoming the group's dominant voice on 1991's Niggaz4life. and the Posse, was released in 1987 and largely ignored after a few tweaks of the lineup and the rough-edged subject matter, 1988's Straight Outta Compton made N.W.A into superstars. When their composition "Boyz-N-the Hood" was rejected by Ruthless signee HBO, Cube, Dre, and E formed the first version of N.W.A to record it themselves. Dre to write songs for his stable of artists. E discovered a major performing talent in the D.O.C., and recruited Ice Cube and Dr. A high-school dropout, Wright turned to drug dealing to support himself, and eventually used the profits to start his own rap label, Ruthless Records, with partner and music-business veteran Jerry Heller. Following N.W.A's breakup, E's street credibility took a major beating, though his recordings continued to sell well when they appeared unfortunately, he was diagnosed with AIDS in 1995, and died not long after.Įric "Eazy-E" Wright was born September 7, 1964, in Compton, California, a rough part of the Los Angeles metro area. While his technical skills as a rapper were never the greatest, his distinctive delivery (invariably described as a high-pitched whine), over the top lyrics, and undeniable charisma made him a star. and the difference would be stark.Whether as a member of N.W.A, a solo act, or a label head, Eazy-E was one of the most controversial figures in gangsta rap. When Eazy-E would return with a second solo release, 5150 Home 4 tha Sick, his N.W.A associates would be M.I.A. Straight Outta Compton is no doubt the more revolutionary album, yet Eazy-Duz-It is a great companion, showcasing N.W.A's sense of humor and, despite the often violent subject matter, casting them in a lighter, more humorous mood. Dre's productions, particularly on the four-song sequence of "Eazy Duz It," "We Want Eazy," "Eazy-er Said Than Dunn," and "Radio" - all heavily produced songs with layers upon layers of samples and beats competing with Eazy-E's rhymes for attention. He's at his best here when he's cracking wise and also when he's overshadowed by Dr. This is fortunate because as charismatic as he may be, Eazy-E isn't an especially gifted MC.
The collaborative nature of the music - with Dre and Yella producing the D.O.C., Ice Cube, and MC Ren writing the songs MC Ren featured as a guest on half of them and Eazy-E performing - fortunately makes Eazy-Duz-It more of an N.W.A effort than a true solo album. In terms of songwriting, the D.O.C., Ice Cube, and MC Ren are each credited plus, Ren performs raps of his own on five of the 12 songs.
Dre and Yella meld together P-Funk, Def Jam-style hip-hop, and the leftover electro sounds of mid-'80s Los Angeles, creating a dense, funky, and thoroughly unique style of their own. It's no wonder why, for the album plays like a humorous, self-centered twist on Straight Outta Compton with Eazy-E, the most charismatic member of N.W.A, front and center while his associates are busy behind the scenes, producing the beats and writing the songs.
Dre changed the rap game with The Chronic (1992), before MC Ren struggled to establish himself with Shock of the Hour (1993), and before Yella simply fell into obscurity, Eazy-E rose to immediate superstar status with this solo debut. Years before Ice Cube went solo with Amerikkka's Most Wanted (1990), before Dr. Released only a month after Straight Outta Compton (1988), Eazy-Duz-It was the first N.W.A spin-off album.