Eric Lynn Wright (born September 7, 1963; died March 26, 1995), better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper, producer, and record executive from Compton, California. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of gangsta rap, who initially rose to fame as the founder of the rap group N.W.A. Eazy-E's style was marked by his youthful, high-pitched voice and his lyrics focusing on elements of urban street life, such as: The procurement and use of firearms