Eric Lynn Wright, better known as Eazy-E, was an influential American rapper and music executive credited with pioneering West Coast and gangsta rap. Born in Compton, California, Eazy-E faced legal challenges in his youth before founding Ruthless Records in 1987. That same year, he co-founded the groundbreaking group N.W.A with Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and others, bringing an unfiltered look at urban life through their music. N.W.A's album Straight Outta Compton became a landmark in hip hop history, known for its raw storytelling and cultural impact. After N.W.A disbanded amidst internal conflicts, Eazy-E continued as a solo artist and played a vital role behind the scenes, notably introducing Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to a national audience. Remembered as the "Godfather of Gangsta Rap," Eazy-E left a lasting legacy on hip hop before his passing in 1995.