“At this time,” Brown says, “people were putting out their own records but selling them out of their car trunks instead of going after major distribution. and the Posse.” Issued by Macola Records in 1987, the album featured future Ruthless solo star the D.O.C. The group first attracted aural attention on the Ruthless compilation “N.W.A. Fad), Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella–came together in 1987, managed by Eazy-E’s label partner Heller.

Fad (Just Jammin’ Fresh and Def), Ruthless Records was on its way.īut things really began to click in 1988 with the release of N.W.A.’s “Straight Outta Compton.” The seminal five-man crew–Eazy-E, Dr. Between that record and “Supersonic,” a 1988 R&B/pop gold single by female rap group J.J. Distinguished by Eazy-E’s high-pitched voice, “Boyz” sold more than 500,000 copies throughout South Central L.A., according to label figures. Dre and Yella, had switched allegiance from Kru-Cut Records to Ruthless. rapper Ice Cube who, along with World Class Wreckin’ Cru DJs Dr. Ruthless began with $7,000 of Eazy-E’s own money and 5,000 12-inch copies of his single “Boyz N the Hood.” It was written by C.I.A. I saw him become more and more popular through these tapes.”

“I think that’s how people first got to know him.

“Eric would kind of host these tapes, throwing in lyrics between songs,” Brown recalls of the Compton, Calif., native and one-time drug dealer. It was here that she met Eazy-E, who was hosting mixtape cassettes being sold by DJ Steve Yano. (Niggaz With Attitude).īut Trans World Entertainment director of urban music Violet Brown says, “Eric knew, the DJs knew, and I knew too.” Brown’s friendship with Eazy-E dates back to the late ’80s when she was a DJ shopping for 12-inch singles at the Roadium swap meet in nearby Gardena, Calif. Little did anyone know that the upstart indie would put West Coast and gangsta rap on the map, let alone house a stable of gold- and platinum-selling acts, among them pioneering rap group N.W.A. It’s in this climate that co-founders Eric “Eazy-E” Wright and music industry veteran Jerry Heller decide to launch rap label Ruthless Records. stepped up its legacy with top 10 singles “My Adidas” and “Walk This Way.” 1 single–“I Need You”–just a year after Run-D.M.C. Now rapper LL Cool J has nabbed his first No.

Youtube eazy e live at the roadium