N.W.A's (also named as 'the world's most dangerous group' ) original lineup consisted of Arabian Prince, Dr. Musical career N.W.A and Eazy-Duz-It (1986–1991) Heller claims that he invested the first $250,000 and would eventually put up to $1,000,000 into the company.

I work for you.' Along with Heller, Wright invested much of his money into Ruthless Records. I am responsible for my expenses and you're responsible for yours. That's industry standard for a manager of my caliber.

According to Heller, he told Wright, 'Every dollar comes into Ruthless, I take twenty cents. Wright suggested a half-ownership company, but it was later decided that Wright would get eighty percent of the company's income and Heller would only get twenty percent. The original idea for Ruthless Records came when Wright asked Heller to go into business with him. He started recording songs during the mid-1980s in his parents' garage, thus starting Ruthless Records. However, after his cousin was shot and killed, he decided that he could make a better living in the Los Angeles hip hop scene, which was growing rapidly in popularity. In 1986, at age 22, Wright had allegedly earned as much as US$250,000 from dealing drugs. Likewise, 'dope dealer' was a role that accorded you certain privileges and respect.' 'Thug' was a role that was widely understood on the street it gave you a certain level of protection in the sense that people hesitated to fuck with you. Heller explains: 'The hood where he grew up was a dangerous place. Heller would claim that Wright's 'dope dealer' label was part of his 'self-forged armor'. Wright's music manager Jerry Heller recalls seeing Wright selling marijuana, but not cocaine. Wright supported himself mainly by selling drugs, and introduced his cousin to the illicit occupation. You had to be 'thug,' 'playa,' 'athlete,' 'gangsta,' or 'dope man.' Otherwise, there was only one role left to you: 'victim.' No one survived on the streets without a protective mask. Wright dropped out of high school in the tenth grade, but later received a general equivalency diploma (GED). His father was a postal worker and his mother was a grade-school administrator. He died from HIV/AIDS-related illness in 1995.Įarly life and Ruthless Records investmentĮric Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright on September 7, 1964, in Compton, California, a Los Angeles suburb once noted for high crime rates and gang culture. Resuming his solo career Eazy-E released two EPs, yet he remained more significant behind the scenes, signing and nationally debuting the rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony from 1993 to 1994. Dre, who had departed for solo careers in 19, respectively. The group released its second and final studio album, Niggaz4Life, in 1991, and soon after disbanded.ĭuring N.W.A's splintering, largely by disputes over money, Eazy-E became embroiled in bitter rivalries with Ice Cube and Dr. Controversial upon release, it is now ranked among the greatest and most influential albums ever. N.W.A's debut studio album, Straight Outta Compton, was released in 1988. Dre, they joined, forming N.W.A, later that year. After a short solo career with frequent collaboration with Ice Cube and Dr. īorn and raised in Compton, California, Wright had several legal troubles before founding Ruthless in 1987. He is often referred to as the 'Godfather of Gangsta Rap'. Eric Lynn Wright (Septem – March 26, 1995), known professionally as Eazy-E, was an American rapper who propelled West Coast rap and gangsta rap by leading the group N.W.A and its label, Ruthless Records.

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