N.W.A and Eazy-Duz-It (1987–1991)
N.W.A‘s original lineup consisted of Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, and Ice Cube.[14][15] DJ Yella and MC Ren joined later.[16] The split/compilation album N.W.A. and the Posse was released on November 6, 1987, and would go on to be certified Gold in the United States.[17][18] The album featured material previously released as singles on the Macola Records label, which was responsible for distributing the releases by N.W.A and other artists like the Fila Fresh Crew, a West Coast rap group originally based in Dallas, Texas.[19][20]
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Eazy-E’s debut album, Eazy-Duz-It, was released in November 1988, and featured twelve tracks. It was labeled as West Coast hip hop, gangsta rap and, later, as golden age hip hop. It has sold over 2.5 million copies in the United States and reached number forty-one on the Billboard 200.[10][21] The album was produced by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella and largely written by MC Ren, Ice Cube, and The D.O.C.[22] Both Glen Boyd from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and MTV‘s Jon Wiederhorn claimed that Eazy-Duz-It “paved the way” for N.W.A’s most controversial debut album, Straight Outta Compton,[23][24] which was released in January 1989.[25] Wright’s only solo in the album was a remix of the song “8 Ball”, which originally appeared on N.W.A. and the Posse. Straight Outta Compton featured Wright’s writing and performing; he performed on seven songs and helped write four songs.[26]
Ice Cube left N.W.A in 1989 because of internal disputes and the group continued as a four-piece ensemble.[16] N.W.A released 100 Miles and Runnin’ in 1990 and Niggaz4Life in 1991. A diss war started between N.W.A and Ice Cube when “100 Miles and Runnin'” and “Real Niggaz” were released. Ice Cube responded with “No Vaseline” on Death Certificate.[27] Wright performed on seven of the eighteen songs on Niggaz4Life.[28]
End of N.W.A and feud with Dr. Dre (1991–1994)
N.W.A began to split up after Jerry Heller became the band’s manager. Dr. Dre recalls, “The split came when Jerry Heller got involved. He played the divide and conquer game. Instead of taking care of everybody, he picked one nigga to take care of and that was Eazy. And Eazy was like, ‘I’m taken care of, so fuck it’.” Dr. Dre and The D.O.C. sent Suge Knight to look into Eazy-E’s financial situation as they began to grow suspicious of Eazy-E and Jerry Heller. Dr. Dre and The D.O.C. asked Eazy-E to release them from Ruthless, but Eazy-E refused. The impasse led to what reportedly transpired between Suge Knight and Eazy-E at the recording studio where Niggaz4life was recorded. After he refused to release Dr. Dre and The D.O.C., Suge Knight told Eazy-E that he had kidnapped Jerry Heller and was holding him prisoner in a van. This did not convince Eazy-E to release Dr. Dre and The D.O.C. from Ruthless, and Suge Knight threatened Eazy-E’s family: Suge Knight gave Eazy-E a piece of paper that contained Eazy’s mother’s address, telling him, “I know where your mama stays.” Eazy-E finally signed Dr. Dre and The D.O.C.’s releases, officially ending N.W.A.[29]
The December 1992 EP 5150: Home 4 tha Sick features a song written by Naughty by Nature. The track “Merry Muthaphuckkin’ Xmas” features Menajahtwa, Buckwheat, and Atban Klann as guest vocalists, and “Neighborhood Sniper” features Kokane as a guest vocalist.[30]
The feud with Dr. Dre continued after a track on Dre’s debut album The Chronic, “Fuck wit Dre Day (And Everybody’s Celebratin’)“, contained lyrics that insulted Eazy-E. Eazy responded with the October 1993 EP, It’s On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa, featuring the tracks “Real Muthaphuckkin G’s” and “It’s On”. The album, which was released on October 25, 1993, contains pictures of Dre wearing “lacy outfits and makeup” when he was a member of the Electro-hop World Class Wreckin’ Cru.[29] It’s On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa features several guest vocalists, including Gangsta Dresta, B.G. Knocc Out. Kokane, Cold 187um, Rhythum D, and Dirty Red.[31]
His final album, Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton, was released ten months after his death, on January 30, 1996. Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton featured several guest vocalists, including B.G. Knocc Out, Gangsta Dresta, Sylk-E. Fyne, Dirty Red, Menajahtwa, Roger Troutman, and ex-N.W.A members MC Ren and DJ Yella.[32]