People only just learning how rapper Eazy-E got his iconic stage name

Eric Lynn Wright, known professionally as Eazy-E, is considered to be one of the greats when it comes to gangsta rap music, having made waves in the music industry before and after his death

He's often referred to as the Godfather of Gangsta Rap - but some supporters are only just learning how Eazy-E got his iconic stage name. Eric Lynn Wright, known professionally as Eazy-E, was born and raised in Compton, California, and spent his early years selling cannabis on the streets.

He dropped out of school in the tenth grade but later received his general equivalency diploma (GED). After a short solo career, he formed NWA in 1987, alongside Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, and Ice Cube. Both DJ Yella and MC Ren joined the hip-hop group later that year.

Despite the controversy they received for their lyrics, NWA is considered to be one of the greatest and most influential hip-hop groups. Rolling Stone ranked NWA at number 83 on its list of the top 100 Greatest Artists of All Time - and their first rap album, Straight Outta Compton, became the first ever to gain five stars from the music magazine.

In 2016, it also became the first rap album to be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. However, despite listening to Eazy-E's art for three decades, some of his fans still have no idea how the icon got his rap name. One Quora user asked: "How did Eric Lynn Wright choose the name Eazy-E?"

According to various sources, Eazy-E came from a childhood nickname for Eazy-Eric due to his laid-back attitude and demeanour. One social media user said: "Although nobody really knows the true origins of the name 'Eazy-E', it has been speculated that this was a nickname given to him due to his demeanour, both in person and in business. Eric's 'easy' demeanour implies that this was directly related to his personality."

The "E" part of the nickname relates directly to his real name, Eric. Other people have stated that Eazy-E used to have the street nickname of "Eazy-Eric", which was shortened to exclude his full name, whilst others stated that his street nickname was "Casual", relating to the way he dressed and acted.

Another user added: "Eazy-E was probably the most successful of any NWA member even though he presented himself as just an equal member of the group, he actually started 'Ruthless Records' with his own money and helped broker the deal with Priority Records.

"He later branched out and discovered new groups for his label like 'Bone Thugs and Harmony' and was in the process of getting NWA back together under their own terms. Eazy-E was destined for greatness. I truly believe Eazy-E would still be huge in the record/entertainment business today had he not passed."

Eazy-E was admitted to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on February 24, 1995, where he was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. He issued a public statement about his illness on March 16, believing he contracted the infection from a sexual partner. It was during the week of March 20 when he drafted a message to his fans before dying from AIDS-induced pneumonia, on March 26.