NWA And Eazy-E: The Kings of Compton DVD

Gangsta rap documentary, NWA & Eazy E: The Kings Of Compton, was released on Digital HD and DVD July 26 2016. As a follow up to the summer 2015 box office hit, Straight Outta Compton, it offered an exclusive inside look on the most controversial and influential west coast rap group, NWA. The documentary showed how NWA pioneered gangsta rap and west coast Hip-hop in the late 1980’s and featured interviews of individuals who experienced it all.

Unlike Straight Outta Compton, directors Mike Corbera and Andre Relis focused more on the life and death of NWA controversial frontman, Eric “Eazy-E” Wright. He was the mastermind behind NWA’s music style and persona. Wright introduced the world to life in the streets of Compton and created the new music style, gangsta rap, which grew into a billion dollar industry.

The documentary discusses Wright journey to becoming the King of gangster rap as a man who actually lived the criminal lifestyle he rapped about in his music. Kings of Compton also briefly documented the beginnings of present day successful actor, movie producer and rapper Ice Cube, legendary music producer Dr. Dre, and their roles in NWA’s rise and fall. Ice Cube was the young lyricist, Dr. Dre produced the music and Eazy had the sound.

This film documented Eazy-E’s life with never before seen personal photos, and touching stories and interviews from some of his friends. The documentary was also broken up into chapters such as “Life in Compton”, “NWA begins”, “Eric Wright” and “Eazy gets Sick”. It made clear that he was not only a rapper but a producer, an entrepreneur, a family man and a philanthropist. During his rise to fame in the mid 80s and early 90s, Wright paved the way and opened doors for gangsta rap in the music industry against all odds.

Instead of emphasizing and pluralizing his criminal lifestyle, Corbera and Relis introduced the world to another side of Eazy-E that the media never portrayed and his fans didn’t get to see. Interviewees recalled his charity work and how much he gave back to his community.

In one scene Radio Dj Julio G described Eazy as genuinely a nice guy as he remembers a heartwarming moment Eazy shared with his daughter.

In another, Tomika Woods-Wright, Eazy’s wife talked about how accessible he seemed to be. “ He wasn’t a person you couldn’t reach or couldn’t get to. You’d see him at ihop or you’d see him at the drive thru at Taco Bell.”

Throughout the film, Eazy was described as “well respected”. People also mentioned his “amazing sense of humor” and talked about him “having a big heart for such a small person”.

This documentary also included never before seen candid interviews from: Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, Jerry Heller, Ice T, Krayzie Bone, Tomica Woods-Wright, and many more.

NWA & Eazy E: The Kings Of Compton amounted to the personal story of Eric Wright and is worth the purchase. DVDs are still available in stores at Best Buy and Walmart.