Eazy-E

As a Compton rapper and a founder of Ruthless Records, Eazy-E went from neighborhood rock-slinger to international celebrity with Gangsta Rap pioneers NWA. His distinct, high-pitch vocal style and over-the-top misogynistic and violent lyrics helped sell millions of albums for the group. In 1991 NWA disbanded, with Eazy and Dr. Dre bitterly divided over past royalties. The two engaged in a brutal dis war on wax, Dre being the obvious victor on the strength of "Dre Day." Eazy continued to make records, but never reached the status of his former partners -- Cube and Dre. In 1994 he helped launch the careers of Cleveland's Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Eazy-E died of AIDS in March of 1995.