With Eazy-E and N.W.A, we made it easy for artists to be themselves and still be just as famous as the squeaky clean artists who were kind of hiding behind a reality curtain. It was a part of entertainment that was kind of taboo and only comedians would tap into it, like Redd Foxx, more or less Richard Pryor, would kind of tap into these zones, but it was still considered blue entertainment back in the day. I think we opened up entertainment and artists to all spectrums. He knew what good music was, compared to stuff that wasn’t going to sell.
#GANGSTA RAP MADE ME DO IT LYRICS EASY E HOW TO#
His mentality, he was really smart and knew how to promote and sell, that was his thing. I would have paid $100,000 for that press.Ice Cube discussed his memories of Eazy-E with Billboard and XXL. How much press did I get? I tell you it paid off. I saw it on the news and they said, “How can this guy go to something like this?” And they showed me at home where I have this nice gun collection. I had a bunch of different interviews and I came back home. I went down there to see what was going on. I give to Athletes and Entertainers for Kids and Make a Wish Foundation so (the Republican Party) pulled my name off the list and they sent me an invitation. Why did you do that? And what was it like?Ī: I was on a list of just giving donations. Bob Dole to a Republican Inner Circle event where Bush was going to speak. Q: A few years ago you paid $2,490 to have dinner with President Bush. As long as it stayed in the ‘hood, it was no problem. And when it starts getting there that’s when there’s a problem. Q: Why does the negative aspect of rap get so much attention, as opposed to more positive images of African Americans?Ī: You know why it’s gotten that attention? Because it’s started going to different neighborhoods: Beverly Hills and here and there. They have little kids in there who are like 12 years old stealing cars and stuff like that. I go to correctional facilities and talk to kids there. Be a rapper.’ (He laughs.) I do a lot of that. I tell them, ‘Stay away from all this stuff. What advice do you give to kids who are gangbangers or are contemplating getting into a gang?Ī: I talk to a lot of kids. Q: You are a former gangster and drug dealer. Q: How do you feel the image of gangsta rap affects kids?Ī: Who gave it that title, gangsta rap? It’s reality rap. I think it’s all the drugs on the streets and everything else that makes everybody violent. Violence has been here since the beginning of time. Q: What about people who say rap music contributes to the violence in our society? Do you feel like you’re part of that?Ī: No, I don’t think I’m a part of it. If you can sell 4 million records off shooting somebody, I’d say you can beat that case.
To be on the cover of Time magazine and all that, that’s good for record sales. Q: What do all the arrests do to the image of rap?Ī: It gets blurred up even more. Q: What about all the rappers who are charged with crimes these days? Why do so many seem to be getting into trouble when they’ve attained success, and life should be smooth sailing?Ī: A lot of people try to live up to their image when they’re really not like that. I guess it is censorship, but to get airplay you have to take some of those words out. What do you think about the recent effort by community organizations who have pressured radio stations to drop offensive words from rap music? Is it a form of censorship?Ī: I think it’s kind of cool. Q: I hear you’re working on a double album with all the unexpurgated lyrics from rap songs. The show is never going to be the same every week.
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