10 Tragic Hip-Hop Deaths: Eazy-E

Eazy E, considered to be the "Godfather of Gangsta Rap," relied on unabashed storytelling of his street-centric ways to advance a solo career and lyrical work as part of N.W.A. While his feud with Dr. Dre thrust him even further into hip-hop's eye, it's Eazy's legacy as a '90s rap pioneer that cemented his position in the culture even after his passing.

In February 1995, the 'Eazy-Duz-It' creator was admitted to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles with what he believed to be asthma. He was instead diagnosed with AIDS. On March 16, the rapper publicly acknowledged his condition.

Ten days later, at 31, he died due to complications from the disease. Eazy's sexual activity, beginning at the age of 12, is reportedly what caused him to contract the fatal illness. At the time of his death, Eazy E left behind seven children.