The memory and legacy of Hip-Hop pioneer Eric “Eazy-E” Wright will be celebrated today (April 7) during “Eazy-E” day in Compton, California.
Omar Bradley, former Mayor of Compton, declared April 7 “Eazy-E” Day in honor of Wright, who died from AIDS on March 26, 1995.
“Eric made Compton famous not just in California, but all over the world,” Bradley said during the rapper’s funeral in 1995.
“I recognize Eazy as a young man who grew up in the streets of Compton–and brothers and sisters, we know it’s not ‘easy’ growing up in Compton.”
Wright founded the seminal rap label Ruthless Records with music executive Jerry Heller in 1987. Ruthless Records released several historic recordings by groups like N.W.A., The D.O.C., Above The Law, Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony and others. Layzie Bone will celebrate his son’s recent birthday today.
“I’m going to celebrate with the family and enjoy some of what that legend help me acquire ya dig,” Layzie Bone said.
“March 26, 1995 was the saddest day in the history of rap music,” Jerry Heller told AllHipHop.com. “Not a day goes by that Gayle [Heller] and I don’t think about my long time friend and business associate with the fondest remembrances. He was an incredible visionary, and truly ‘the little big man.’ R.I.P my brother.”
Ruthless Records is now run by Eazy-E’s widow Tomica Woods-Wright, who has been CEO of the label since Eazy-E’s passing in 1995.
The label recently inked a new distribution deal with Sony/Red as part of its 20th Anniversary celebrations.
Ruthless Records has a new roster of artists: rappers Hopsin, Stevie Stone, R&B singer/songwriter Na’Shay, bilingual pop singer/musician/actress Agina and rap group Street Runnaz Click.
