As the notorious first "official" full length album from the NWA camp, Eazy-E helped establish a stranglehold on the "Gangsta Rap" genre before there ever was such a term. While Eazy had already made a name for himself with his independently released single "Boyz In Tha Hood", (which he had reportedly sold out of his trunk), it was Eazy-Duz-It that made the then unsuspecting Hip-Hop nation take notice of the diminuitive ex-drug dealer turned rapper. While tales of his street exploits, using drug money to start his label, and "Ruthless" business acumen are the stuff of legends, it was this album that most would choose to use as their best memories of the now deceased Eric Wright.

Prior to the release of his single and video "We Want Eazy", the streets of Cali were already abuzz with the mere mention that a whole album was being released by Eazy. He and his crew had already established a loyal following with the flood of singles they had already released. When Eazy-Duz-It was released, Eazy was already in regular rotation from Greg Mack's Rap Attack radio show in LA all the way up to Nasty Nes' show in Seattle. Despite the familiarity with the young sounding rapper, no one was ready for the brashness that the L.P. would offer.

From the start, every offensive, violent, and yes, humourous rhyme was clearly designed to either shock or excite Eazy's audience. Like Too $hort and 2 Live Crew before him, Eazy went for a dirty side and a clean side to his album. The fact that he started off with the dirty side seemed to make the statement that the priorty with Eric & Co. was streets first, then radio. Like Ice-T's Rhyme Pays, Eazy-Duz-It was an uncompromising look at the rough inner-city with tales of drugs, prostitution and violence. What was different from any of these predecessors was the amazing lack of any sort of remorse for the crime or positivity to counter the negative messages and images. This rapper was cut from a different cloth than his other Hip-Hop bretheren.

Lyrically, Eric's ghost writters Ice Cube, MC Ren, and The D.O.C. injected him with a sense of reality and depth that sounded shockingly unlike any other prior release. These harsh realites came to you from this kid who had previously stated, albeit misleadingly, that he was only 16 or 17 years old at the time the album was released. To hear the tales of bank robberies gone awry ("Nobody Move"), violent street confrontations with rival gangs ("Boyz-N-Tha Hood remix" & "Eazy-Duz-It"), and explicit tales of sexual exploits ("Still Talkin'") coming from the mouth of what sounded to be a young teen was astounding unto itself. But perhaps more amazing still was the fact that the second "radio friendly" half of the album was as equally uncompromising in content and depth as the first despite its lack of curses. The fact that the Street side doesn't outweigh the Radio side in terms of it's quality is a statement unto itself.

Beatwise, the blueprint laid out by Eric B and Rakim's heavy use of funk loops and samples on both Paid In Full and Follow the Leader were taken in a new direction by producer/DJ Dr. Dre. Prior to Eazy-Duz-It, most LA hip hop releases had a very strong prevalence of cheap sounding keyboards and drum machines. New York was still mostly stuck in James Brown land. Eazy-Duz-It came alive through use creative usage of Sly & The Family Stone, Bootsy Collins, Parliament, Brick, Brass Construction and others. This funk style of production became Dr. Dre's signature and set the trend for future West Coast releases up to today.

While all the highs and lows that were to follow this album's release are sure to spark a heated discussion in any group of Hip-Hop listeners, this album remains a testament to the strength of both Eazy and NWA. Sure, he didn't write his own lyrics. Sure Dre had to "punch" Eric into his own vocal tracks endlessly to create the illusion that Eazy could actually flow naturally. Yes there was the eventual falling out and self-implosion within NWA. And there were the many desperate attempts Eazy made to reclaim his credibility in the music community afterwards, (several of which are on this re-release version with the inclusion of his 5150 EP). None of these truths or eventual results should detract from the greatness of this release.

This Is probally Eazy E's best CD ever. Eazy E released this cd before N.W.A.'s Straight Outta Compton came out in 1988. This Cd has some nice funky gangsta beats Like "Eazy Duz It" this is one of the best songs of the whole cd. "Boyz N Da Hood" another good one off this cd. "Imma Break It Down" has a real funky beat to it kinda tropical soundin. "No More ?'s" is one of the best songs on here, and its the most different cause Eazy E has a reporter askin him questions and he raps when he answers the questions. "Nobody Move" is a really good song Mc Ren and Eazy E are robbin a bank, I Counted how many times Eazy E says the Word "PHUCKK" Eazy and Ren say it 14 times in this song this is one of the better songs off the cd. "Two Hard Mutha's" has a Gfunk sound with Yella playin the drums, this song is different and im glad Eazy E did somethin like that. "We Want Eazy" I have never like this song, and the only reason why I think itz a hit is because it has no bad language in it, and thats a reason to play it on the radio. "Ruthless Villain" one of Favz. "Ruthless Villain" Has a really nice sound to it Eazy E and MC Ren bust it out on this track. "Still Talkin" This is the very 1st track on the cd, and let me say it starts the cd off pretty good with its G-Funk sound. "Radio" i can't really say anything bad about this song cause i never really listen to it, but just cause I dont like it doesnt mean yall wont like it. "Eazy-Er Said Than Dunn" Dr.Dre starts this song off sayin Ish this song is an average song on the CD. This CD brings a Gangsta rap style and a G-Funk beat sound that Dre made on this CD. Just because Dr.Dre produced this cd doesnt mean you will like it. I suggest if you are from LA or somethin or from the WESTCOAST you will like this cd and you should buy it cause it is a classic.

R.I.P. EAZY E

The main man in N.W.A released this album right after they released their classic sophomore album, "Straight Outta Compton". After I heard this album, Eazy instantly became my favorite rapper. With this album, it was the start of him putting Compton on the map and he represented it till his untimely death in march of 95. Some of the stand out cuts on this album are, "Nobody Move", "Ruthless Villain", "Boyz N Tha Hood (Remix)", Eazy-Duz-It", and "We Want Eazy". All of the tracks are enjoyable to listen to and you won't have to skip any of them if you are a big fan of old school rap or gangsta rap music. The bonus ep they released with the remastered edition, "5150 Home 4 Tha Sick" Eazy released in 92 after N.W.A broke up and he was advertising it for his second solo album "Temporary Insanity" which never got released. The only song I didn't like on this was "Niggaz My Heigh Don't Fight", but the rest is classic. Rest In Peace To The Godfather Of Gangsta Rap!

Eazy-E is my favorite rapper and i find him highly underrated. He was easily the best member in NWA and the hype surrounding his death should have been much bigger. He is a one-of-a kind rap genius with a sound unlike anybody else. This album is a masterpiece and is perfect in every way. The opening song Still Talkin' is hilarious and Eazy drops freestyles that sound like he isnt even trying. To hear some of his best verses of all time check out No More ?s which is my absolute favorite song done by him ever. The album flows together beautifully and even the bonus songs at the end are funny including Merry Muthaf***in' Xmas which is classic. Other classics include Ruthless Villian, 2 Hard Mutha's, Boyz-N-The Hood Remix, Eazy-Duz-It and We Want Eazy. There is no doubt in my mind that he should be a legend along with Pac and Biggie... he just left WAY before he could establish himself as big as them. also the feud with Dre and Death Row hurt his reputation greatly right before he died. Nonetheless he is amazing and Dre & MC Ren also add to this great cd. Do not hold out.. buy this ASAP

Great album... in a world full of "bubble gum" rappers, Eazy has stood the test of time. A classic album that yes is still very explicit even for todays standards, but does not rely on computer beats and overly used samples to be good. This is gangsta rappin at its best and EZ can tell an urban story like no other. A must have for hard core rap fans.