So how did Eazy-E really die?Įazy-E’s daughter, Ebie Wright, has been attempting to answer that very question. And like many high-profile gangsta rappers, the threat of death and violence constantly hovered. Others had outright threatened to murder the Compton rapper. Simply put, a lot of people wanted Eazy-E dead.

Those eventually ebbed, though the list of other sworn (and armed) enemies was extensive. The rapper had dangerous beefs involving rival members of N.W.A, most notably Dr. But while he was alive, Eazy-E’s life resembled a war zone. And the trajectory of ‘gangsta rap’ would have been entirely different.ĭespite being mired in controversy, Eazy-E’s legacy remains massive. In fact, we may have never heard of rappers like Dr. But without Eazy-E, the rap world might look substantially different today. The public both loved and loathed Eazy-E, with extremely violent and misogynistic lyrics drawing criticism. The list also includes Kendrick Lamar, who has cited Eazy-E as an important influence. Other successful rappers, including Bone Thugs N’ Harmony, owe their start to Wright. Called the ‘Godfather of Gangsta Rap,’ Eazy-E reshaped hip-hop, starting with N.W.A. It affects everyone.” Less than 10 days later, Eazy-E passed away.īut two decades after his death, Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright remains one of the most controversial rappers in history. I’ve learned in the last week that this thing is real and it doesn’t discriminate.

But I’ve got thousands of young fans that have to learn about what’s real when it comes to AIDS. “I’m not saying this because I’m looking for a soft cushion wherever I’m heading. “I’m not religious, but right or wrong, that’s me,” Sweeney read, relaying a message written by the rapper. Sweeney unfolded a crinkled piece of paper, and in a somber tone, offered the statement of fact. Suddenly, in one stunning moment, Eazy-E’s aura of invisibility and power came crashing down.Īt a Hollywood news conference, Eazy-E’s attorney and friend, Ron Sweeney, shared the grim news with the world. On March 17th, 1995, one of the biggest figures of gangsta rap announced that he had contracted AIDS.

It was more shocking than any gangsta rap lyric could ever be. But how did Eazy-E really die? Here’s a closer look at the unresolved questions surrounding the rapper’s death. Eric ‘Eazy-E’ Wright was officially pronounced dead from complications related to AIDS, specifically AIDS-induced pneumonia, on March 26th, 1995.

A headline following the death of Eazy-E in 1995.

Eazy e in hospital