Eazy E was an American rapper who was best known as the “Godfather of Gangsta Rap” on the West Coast. He was born on September 7, 1964, in Compton, California to Richard and Kathie Wright and was named Eric Lynn Wright. Living in the rough suburbs, Wright had a tough childhood and mainly supported himself by selling drugs. After the death of his cousin, he left the scene, moved to Los Angeles, and pursued music full-time. Wright eventually met music manager Jerry Heller who helped him co-found their record label, Ruthless Records.
In 1986, Wright formed the American hip-hop group N.W.A. which included himself, Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and MC Ren. They released their first album “N.W.A. and the Posse” and received critical acclaim, making the mark for gangsta rap in the United States. Two years later, Wright dropped his debut album as a solo artist, “Eazy-Duz-It,” which sold over two million copies. The album later paved the way for N.W.A.’s most controversial release, “Straight Outta Compton.”
Not long after the release of their second album, Ice Cube left the group due to internal disputes and things started falling apart. It didn’t help that their manager, Wright’s long-time friend, Heller, allegedly prioritized his personal interests instead of the band. The situation escalated when Dr. Dre and The DOC wanted to cut ties with Ruthless Records but Wright wasn’t letting them go. After a series of threats, a kidnapping, and help from record executive, Suge Knight, Wright finally ended the two rappers’ contracts thus officially ending N.W.A.
Unfortunately, Wright was struck down at the peak of his career when he unexpectedly passed away on March 26, 1995. There are tons of speculations surrounding the rapper’s death including questions about his sexuality. So, is Eazy E gay? Did this contribute to the rapper’s untimely passing? Let’s discuss the facts and controversies about his life below.
VOTE: What was Eazy E’s Sexuality?
Eazy E’s Dating History
Although his life was tragically cut short, the rapper was known to keep an active love life. According to his manager, Heller, Wright dated multiple women, some of them at the same time. It’s also suspected that he may have fathered up to 11 children in a span of three decades. Up until today, it’s unclear how many children did the rapper actually have.
I listened to him talk to his multiple lovers on the phone, one after another… Women were his Achilles’ heel. I couldn’t believe that a guy with so few other weaknesses indulged himself in such a huge one… He had, I think, 11 children with eight different women… Two of the children, I think, [were born] after he [died].”
Jerry Heller to The Washington Post, 2006
Wright eventually did settle down with the mother of his two children, Tomica Woods. The couple got married in 1995, only 12 days before the rapper passed away. At the time, Woods was already pregnant with their second child. After Wright’s death, the record label was also taken over by Woods.
The Rapper’s Controversial Death Explained
On February 24, 1995, Wright was admitted to a hospital in Los Angeles because of a violent cough. It was also around this time that the rapper was officially diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. A few weeks later, a public statement was issued on behalf of Wright to his concerned fans.
Now, I’m in the biggest fight of my life and it ain’t easy. But I want to say much love to those who have been down with me and thanks for all your support. Just remember: It’s your real time and your real life.”
Eazy E via official statement, 1995
Unfortunately, Wright’s condition quickly deteriorated, prompting him to marry his then-girlfriend and make amends with his former bandmate, Ice Cube. Almost a month after his diagnosis, Wright passed away. It was then revealed that the rapper died due to complications of pneumonia caused by HIV/AIDS. His death shocked the nation and his funeral was packed with thousands of people who wanted to pay their respects. On January 30, 1996, Wright’s final album, “Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton,” was released in his honor.
Due to the rapper’s fast and shocking death, many people speculated that the illness was a cover-up. According to fellow rappers who regularly hung around with Wright, the rapper looked and behaved normally with no indication that he was sick at all. Even some of Wright’s ex-girlfriends and children noted that his death was unusually quick. They even tried to open a case to investigate the matter but it was never concluded.
In the media, speculations continued to grow. Suge Knight, one of Wright’s public enemies, made a comment about the rapper’s death while on a live appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
See, technology is so high. So, if you shoot somebody, you go to jail forever. You don’t want to go to jail forever. They have a new thing out. They have this stuff they called — they get blood from somebody with AIDS, and they shoot you with it. That’s a slow death. The Eazy-E thing. You know what I mean?”
Suge Knight on Jimmy Kimmel Live, 2003
Another rapper, B.G. Knocc Out, also referenced Wright’s death in one of his songs, “N My Prime.” He also shared his thoughts in an interview with HipHop DX.
I believe in my heart somebody did something to Eric. Whether it was Jerry [Heller], whether it was [his widow] Tomica [Woods-Wright], I have yet to really know the truth about it. But, for a person to have full-blown AIDS [that quickly is suspicious]. My little brother, his father died from full-blown AIDS … from sharing a needle [’cause] he was [an addict]. Now, I seen this man go through these stages, from HIV to full-blown AIDS.”
B.G. Knocc Out to HipHop DX, 2011
He further elaborated on why he had doubts about the rapper’s passing:
And, when you get a cold, any little thing like that, your whole immune system shut down. So you have to go into the hospital just to recover. Now, to be around Eric for the last three years of his life and he never had an episode like this — never ever — something is strange, something is real odd. And then you gon’ come out and tell me when the man go in there for bronchitis, you gon’ come out and tell me this man had full-blown AIDS. And we done been to New York, we done been to Chicago in below zero weather [and] he never got sick. He never had an episode. Like, c’mon bruh. Who are you kidding?”
B.G. Knocc Out to HipHop DX, 2011
Was Eazy E Gay?
No, Eazy E wasn’t gay. Most people assume that the rapper was gay because he died from an AIDS-induced illness. However, this is an incorrect assumption. HIV and AIDS can be transmitted through heterosexual or homosexual relations. It’s worth noting that neither the rapper nor his family has ever discussed his sexuality in public. At this point, fans may assume that Eazy E was straight.
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