Born and raised in Compton, a small yet violent city near Los Angeles, Wright had several legal troubles before founding Ruthless in 1987. After a short solo career with frequent collaboration with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, they joined, forming N.W.A, later that year.
N.W.A's debut studio album, Straight Outta Compton, was released in 1988. Controversial upon release, it is now ranked among the greatest and most influential albums. The group released its third and final studio album, Niggaz4Life.
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 him 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.
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 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.
During N.W.A's splintering Eazy-E resumed his solo career 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.
On February 24, 1995, Wright was admitted to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles with a violent cough. He was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. He announced his illness in a public statement on March 16, 1995. During the week of March 20, having already made amends with Ice Cube, he drafted a final message to his fans. On March 26, 1995, Eazy-E died from AIDS-induced pneumonia, one month after his diagnosis. He was 30 years old (most reports at the time said he was 31 due to the falsification of his date of birth by one year). He was buried on April 7, 1995, at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California. Over 3,000 people attended his funeral, including Jerry Heller and DJ Yella. He was buried in a gold casket, and was dressed in a flannel shirt, jeans, and his Compton hat. On January 30, 1996, ten months after Eazy-E's death, his final album, Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton was released.
Easy had 11 children, one of which, Eric, would start his own rap career under the name Lil Eazy-E.
8 Ball
Eazy-E Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nick named Eazy-E
Yo 8-Ball Junkie
Bass drum kickin
To show my sh*t
Rappin holdin my d*ck
Boy I dont quit
Loud wild mutha f*cka
I gotta sick shooter
Yo mean hombre
Wanderin through the hood
To find the boys
To kick dust and cuss
Crank up the noise
Police on my drawers
I had to pause
40 ounce in my lap
And it's freezin my balls
ed a right turn
Let the boys go past
And I say to myself
'They can kiss my a**'
Stopped at a light
Put the 8 at my lips
Put in the old tape
Marvin Gayes Greatest hits
Turn the beat up
Have the base cold rompin
Crusin through the East Side
South of Compton
See a big a**
And I said 'word'
I took a look at the face
And the bitch was to the curb
Hoes on me
for the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's F*cked up
An got the 8-Ball rollin'
(I was)
Whose Kickin' a**?
(I was)
Raised in LA
(I was)
Crusin down the street in my 6-4
Ridin Los Loses
Lookin for Crenshaw
Turned down the sound
To diss yo law
Stopped at a light
And had a fit
Cause a Mexican almost
Wreaked my shit
Flipped his a** off
Got into the car
My bottle was empty
So I went to the store
Nigga on tilt
Cause I was drunk
Seen a sissy a** punk
Had to go in my trunk
Reached inside
Cause it's like that
Came back out
With a silver gat
Fired at the punk
And it was all because
I had to show the nigga
What time it was
Put up the Jam
It ends like a mirage
A sissy like that
Got out to dodge
Suckers on me
For the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's F*cked up
And got the 8-Ball rollin
Old East 800
Yeah thats my brand
Take it in a bottle
40, Quart, or Can
Drink it like a mad man
Yes I do
F**K the police
And a 502
Stepped in the party
I was drunk as hell
Three b**ches already said
'Eric yo breath smells'
40 ounce in hand
Thats what I got
(Yo man you see Eazy hurlin in a parking lot)
Stepped on yo foot
Cold dissed yo hoe
Asked her to dance
And she said 'hell no'
Called her a b**ch
Cause thats the rule
Boyz in the hood
Tryin to keep me cool
Dammit homeboy
You wanna kick my but
I walk in you face
And we get them up
I start droppin the dogs
And watch you fold
Straight dumb fulla cum
Got knocked out cold
(Made you look sick
you snotty nosed prick
now yo fly b**ch
is all over his d**k)
Fool got dropped
For the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's f*cked up
And got the 8-Ball rollin
Pass the brew M*tha F*ckas
While I trash it up
And yall listen up close to role call:
Eazy-E's in the place
I got money and juice
Rondevues with me
And we make the duce
Dre makes the beat
So g*d damn funky
Do the old 8
F*ck the Brass Monkey
Ice Cube writes the words
That I say
Hail to the niggaz
From CIA
Cazy beat is down
And in effect
We make hard core jams
So fuck respect
They can toast public parking
To the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's f*cked up
And got the 8-Ball rollin
The lyrics for Eazy-E's "8 Ball" tell the story of a wild night for the rapper as he travels through the streets of Compton with his sick shooter in search of the boys to kick dust and cuss with. Eazy-E's rap style is gritty and raw, with a heavy emphasis on profanity and street language. He describes his encounter with police, his run-ins with obnoxious Mexicans, and his interactions with women at parties. Throughout the song, Eazy-E boasts of his toughness and disregard for authority, and he proclaims himself the "title holder" for his reckless behavior.
One interesting fact about "8 Ball" is that it was one of Eazy-E's biggest hits, reaching number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was released in 1992 as part of Eazy-E's third and final studio album, "5150: Home 4 tha Sick." Another interesting fact is that the beat for the song was produced by Dr. Dre, who was a member of N.W.A with Eazy-E before both artists pursued solo careers. Ice Cube, another former member of N.W.A, also had a hand in writing the lyrics.
In addition to its success as a single, "8 Ball" is also notable for its depiction of the gangsta rap lifestyle that was popularized by Eazy-E and other West Coast rappers in the late 80s and early 90s. The song features explicit references to alcohol and gun use, as well as derogatory terms for women and police officers. Some critics have accused Eazy-E and other gangsta rappers of promoting a culture of violence and crime, while others have defended their music as an authentic reflection of life in urban America.
Chords: Unknown
Line by Line Meaning
Like the big funky
Similar to the large, groovy sound
Nick named Eazy-E
Also known as Eazy-E
Yo 8-Ball Junkie
Hey, addicted to drugs
Bass drum kickin
The booming bass drum is playing
To show my sh*t
To display my talent
Rappin holdin my d*ck
Rapping while confident and in control
Boy I dont quit
I never give up or stop
Loud wild mutha f*cka
Outspoken and rowdy individual
From around the way
From the neighborhood
I gotta sick shooter
I have a dangerous gun
Yo mean hombre
Hey, aggressive man
Wanderin through the hood
Walking around the neighborhood aimlessly
To find the boys
To locate the guys
To kick dust and cuss
To start trouble and curse
Crank up the noise
Increase the volume and intensity of the music
Police on my drawers
Law enforcement officers targeting me
I had to pause
I had to briefly stop or hesitate
40 ounce in my lap
A large bottle of alcohol in my possession
And it's freezin my balls
And it's extremely cold
ed a right turn
Made a right turn
Let the boys go past
Allowed the guys to continue driving
And I say to myself
And I thought to myself
'They can kiss my a**'
'They can kiss my behind'
Stopped at a light
Paused at a traffic signal
Put the 8 at my lips
Put the 8-ball drug at my mouth
Put in the old tape
Inserted the outdated cassette
Marvin Gayes Greatest hits
Marvin Gaye's most popular songs
Turn the beat up
Increased the volume of the music
Have the base cold rompin
Have the bass sound high and energetic
Cruisin through the East Side
Driving casually through the eastern part of town
South of Compton
In the southern area of Compton
See a big a**
Notice a large butt
And I said 'word'
And I exclaimed 'oh really'
I took a look at the face
I examined the person's face
And the bitch was to the curb
And the woman was undesirable
Hoes on me
Women are attracted to me
for the title I'm holdin
Because of my reputation
Eazy-E's F*cked up
Eazy-E is messed up
An got the 8-Ball rollin'
And started the party or trouble
(I was)
(I was)
Whose Kickin' a**?
Who is dominating or winning?
(I was)
(I was)
Raised in LA
Brought up in Los Angeles
(I was)
(I was)
Crusin down the street in my 6-4
Driving along the street in my '64 vehicle
Ridin Los Loses
Traveling through Los Angeles
Lookin for Crenshaw
Searching for the Crenshaw neighborhood
Turned down the sound
Lowered the volume of the music
To diss yo law
To disrespect your authority
Stopped at a light
Paused at a traffic signal
And had a fit
And became angry or upset
Cause a Mexican almost
Because a person of Mexican descent nearly
Wreaked my shit
Damaged or destroyed my stuff
Flipped his a** off
Expressed anger towards him
Got into the car
Entered the vehicle
My bottle was empty
My alcohol container was devoid of liquid
So I went to the store
Therefore, I visited the shop
Nigga on tilt
A black person acting recklessly
Cause I was drunk
Because I was intoxicated
Seen a sissy a** punk
Encountered a weak and cowardly person
Had to go in my trunk
Needed to access the trunk of my car
Reached inside
Inserted my hand into
Cause it's like that
Because that's the way it is
Came back out
Returned to the exterior
With a silver gat
With a silver gun
Fired at the punk
Shot at the wimp
And it was all because
And it happened solely because
I had to show the nigga
I needed to demonstrate to the guy
What time it was
Who was in charge
Put up the Jam
Play the music loudly
It ends like a mirage
It concludes like an illusion
A sissy like that
A weak person such as him
Got out to dodge
Escaped from the situation
Suckers on me
Idiots are drawn to me
For the title I'm holdin
Because of the reputation I have
Eazy-E's F*cked up
Eazy-E is messed up
And got the 8-Ball rollin'
And started the party or trouble
Old East 800
A particular brand of alcoholic beverage
Yeah thats my brand
Yes, that is the one I prefer
Take it in a bottle
Consume it from a container
40, Quart, or Can
A 40-ounce bottle, quart, or can
Drink it like a mad man
Consume it vigorously
Yes I do
Indeed, I do
F**K the police
Expressing disdain for law enforcement
And a 502
And being intoxicated while driving
Stepped in the party
Entered the gathering
I was drunk as hell
I was extremely intoxicated
Three b**ches already said
Three women already told me
'Eric yo breath smells'
'Eric, your breath has an unpleasant odor'
40 ounce in hand
Holding a 40-ounce bottle of alcohol
Thats what I got
That's what I possess
(Yo man you see Eazy hurlin in a parking lot)
(Hey man, did you witness Eazy vomiting in a parking lot)
Stepped on yo foot
Accidentally placed my foot on yours
Cold dissed yo hoe
Harshly insulted your girlfriend
Asked her to dance
Requested her to join me in dancing
And she said 'hell no'
And she firmly declined
Called her a b**ch
Referred to her as a derogatory term
Cause thats the rule
Because that is how it is
Boyz in the hood
Men from the neighborhood
Tryin to keep me cool
Attempting to remain calm
Dammit homeboy
Damn, my friend
You wanna kick my but
You desire to physically assault me
I walk in your face
I confront you directly
And we get them up
And we engage in a fight
I start droppin the dogs
I begin to attack aggressively
And watch you fold
And observe you give up or surrender
Straight dumb fulla cum
Completely foolish and naive
Got knocked out cold
Unconscious due to a blow
(Made you look sick
(Caused you to appear ill
you snotty nosed prick
You arrogant and immature person
now yo fly b**ch
Now your attractive girlfriend
is all over his d**k)
Is showing interest in him)
Fool got dropped
Idiot got knocked down
And got the 8-Ball rollin'
And started the party or trouble
Pass the brew M*tha F*ckas
Hand over the beer, individuals
While I trash it up
While I make a mess or cause chaos
And yall listen up close to role call:
And all of you pay attention to the announcement:
Eazy-E's in the place
Eazy-E is present
I got money and juice
I have wealth and influence
Rondevues with me
Meetings or encounters with me
And we make the duce
And we create trouble or stir things up
Dre makes the beat
Dr. Dre produces the music
So g*d damn funky
So extremely groovy
Do the old 8
Perform the traditional 8-ball drug ritual
F*ck the Brass Monkey
Disregard the Brass Monkey beverage
Ice Cube writes the words
Ice Cube composes the lyrics
That I say
That I speak
Hail to the niggaz
Praise the black people
From CIA
Associated with the rap group CIA
Cazy beat is down
Intense beat is playing
And in effect
And has an impact
We make hard core jams
We create aggressive and intense music
So fuck respect
So disregard or ignore respect
They can toast public parking
They can celebrate or honor public parking
To the title I'm holdin
To the reputation I possess
Eazy-E's f*cked up
Eazy-E is messed up
And got the 8-Ball rollin'
And started the party or trouble
Contributed by Colton K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chance Spink
Like the big funky
Nick named Eazy-E
Yo 8-Ball Junkie
Bass drum kickin
To show my shit
Rappin holdin my dick
Boy I dont quit
Loud wild mutha fucka
From around the way
I gotta sick shooter
Yo mean hombre
Wanderin through the hood
To find the boys
To kick dust and cuss
Crank up the noise
Police on my drawers
I had to pause
40 ounce in my lap
And it's freezin my balls
Hooked a right turn
Let the boys go past
And I say to myself
'They can kiss my ass'
Stopped at a light
Put the 8 at my lips
Put in the old tape
Marvin Gayes Greatest hits
Turn the beat up
Have the base cold rompin
Crusin through the East Side
South of Compton
See a big ass
And I said 'word'
I took a look at the face
And the bitch was to the curb
Hoes on me
for the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's Fucked up
An got the 8-Ball rollin'
Whose Kickin' ass?
(I was)
Raised in LA
(I was)
Crusin down the street in my 6-4
Ridin Los Loses
Lookin for Crenshaw
Turned down the sound
To diss yo law
Stopped at a light
And had a fit
Cause a Mexican almost
Wreaked my shit
Flipped his ass off
Got into the car
My bottle was empty
So I went to the store
Nigga on tilt
Cause I was drunk
Seen a sissy ass punk
Had to go in my trunk
Reached inside
Cause it's like that
Came back out
With a silver gat
Fired at the punk
And it was all because
I had to show the nigga
What time it was
Put up the Jam
It ends like a mirage
A sissy like that
Got out to dodge
Suckers on me
For the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's Fucked up
And got the 8-Ball rollin
Whose Kickin' ass?
(I was)
Raised in LA
(I was)
Crusin down the street in my 6-4
Ridin Los Loses
Lookin for Crenshaw
Turned down the sound
To diss yo law
Stopped at a light
And had a fit
Cause a Mexican almost
Wreaked my shit
Flipped his ass off
Got into the car
My bottle was empty
So I went to the store
Nigga on tilt
Cause I was drunk
Seen a sissy ass punk
Had to go in my trunk
Reached inside
Cause it's like that
Came back out
With a silver gat
Fired at the punk
And it was all because
I had to show the nigga
What time it was
Put up the Jam
It ends like a mirage
A sissy like that
Got out to dodge
Suckers on me
For the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's Fucked up
And got the 8-Ball rollin
Old East 800
Yeah thats my brand
Take it in a bottle
40, Quart, or Can
Drink it like a mad man
Yes I do
FucK the police
And a 502
Stepped in the party
I was drunk as hell
Three bitches already said
'Eric yo breath smells'
40 ounce in hand
Thats what I got
(Yo man you see Eazy hurlin in a parking lot)
Stepped on yo foot
Cold dissed yo hoe
Asked her to dance
And she said 'hell no'
Called her a bitch
Cause thats the rule
Boyz in the hood
Tryin to keep me cool
Dammit homeboy
You wanna kick my but
I walk in you face
And we get them up
I start droppin the dogs
And watch you fold
Straight dumb fulla cum
Got knocked out cold
(Made you look sick
you snotty nosed prick
now yo fly bitch
is all over his dick)
Fool got dropped
For the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's fucked up
And got the 8-Ball rollin
Whose Kickin' ass?
(I was)
Raised in LA
(I was)
Crusin down the street in my 6-4
Ridin Los Loses
Lookin for Crenshaw
Turned down the sound
To diss yo law
Stopped at a light
And had a fit
Cause a Mexican almost
Wreaked my shit
Flipped his ass off
Got into the car
My bottle was empty
So I went to the store
Nigga on tilt
Cause I was drunk
Seen a sissy ass punk
Had to go in my trunk
Reached inside
Cause it's like that
Came back out
With a silver gat
Fired at the punk
And it was all because
I had to show the nigga
What time it was
Put up the Jam
It ends like a mirage
A sissy like that
Got out to dodge
Suckers on me
For the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's Fucked up
And got the 8-Ball rollin
Pass the brew Mutha Fuckas
While I trash it up
And yall listen up close to role call:
Eazy-E's in the place
I got money and juice
Rondevues with me
And we make the duce
Dre makes the beat
So god damn funky
Do the old 8
Fuck the Brass Monkey
Ice Cube writes the words
That I say
Hail to the niggaz
From CIA
Cazy beat is down
And in effect
We make hard core jams
So fuck respect
They can toast public parking
To the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's fucked up
And got the 8-Ball rollin
Rob/Ashli Carrafa
R.I.P. Eric Wright. You were an icon and inspiration for a whole generation and created a brand new genre of music never seen or heard before on planet Earth. This song still rocks and takes me back almost 30 yrs everytime I hear it.
MC FLEX
Rob I agree with you 100, Eazy E took Gangster rap to a level that was unprecedented. RIP Eazy E the Godfather of Gangster Rap.
big baba
@MC FLEX eazy-e didn't even know how to write rhymes or program a beat, so how did he create anything. Gangsta Rap was created by Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. Dre made the beats and ice cube wrote the first gangsta lyrics. Eazy-E just performed what they had created, because his small stature and high pitch voice were supposed to be some sort of comic relief
MC FLEX
@big baba I agree with you 100, but Eazy E was the financial backer.
MC FLEX
Boyz n the hood will always be the anthem of Gangster Rap.
Rob/Ashli Carrafa
@big baba Hey, I didn't mean to disrespect Dre and Ice Cube, I'm completely aware of their contributions, and their impact on pop culture extends far beyond a mere genre.
I've never looked into it to confirm, but I've been told Elvis, Garth Brooks, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson didn't write most of their songs. Did that make their success any less relevant? Eazy's image and style is what made him a legend and launched the scene. Most people, not even fans, look back 30's on and say "NWA's songs were so well written!"
They remember "F*ck Tha Police" and the attitude.
Squiggles
Can't believe someone this great is no longer here..
Koi
Stop reminding us😥😰
Buddy Charley
The great die Young 🌈🌈🌈🌈
wavy david
This song is better than drakes career