Eazy-Duz-It [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Eazy E | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 24, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Priority Records
• ASIN: B00006JJ5R
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,953 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #23 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > West Coast
  • #79 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Gangsta & Hardcore

Editorial Reviews

UK two-fer combines the late gangsta rapper's 1988 album, 'Easy-Duz-It' with the 1992 EP, 5150 Home 4 Tha Sick. EMI. 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 Stars for the Hip-Hop Thugster, July 15, 2005

By 

Mike J (Central Coast, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eazy-Duz-It (Audio CD)

As the notorious first "official" full length album from the NWA camp, Eazy-E helped establish a stranglehold on the "Gangsta Rap" genre before there ever was such a term. While Eazy had already made a name for himself with his independently released single "Boyz In Tha Hood", (which he had reportedly sold out of his trunk), it was Eazy-Duz-It that made the then unsuspecting Hip-Hop nation take notice of the diminuitive ex-drug dealer turned rapper. While tales of his street exploits, using drug money to start his label, and "Ruthless" business acumen are the stuff of legends, it was this album that most would choose to use as their best memories of the now deceased Eric Wright.

Prior to the release of his single and video "We Want Eazy", the streets of Cali were already abuzz with the mere mention that a whole album was being released by Eazy. He and his crew had already established a loyal following with the flood of singles they had already released. When Eazy-Duz-It was released, Eazy was already in regular rotation from Greg Mack's Rap Attack radio show in LA all the way up to Nasty Nes' show in Seattle. Despite the familiarity with the young sounding rapper, no one was ready for the brashness that the L.P. would offer.

From the start, every offensive, violent, and yes, humourous rhyme was clearly designed to either shock or excite Eazy's audience. Like Too $hort and 2 Live Crew before him, Eazy went for a dirty side and a clean side to his album. The fact that he started off with the dirty side seemed to make the statement that the priorty with Eric & Co. was streets first, then radio. Like Ice-T's Rhyme Pays, Eazy-Duz-It was an uncompromising look at the rough inner-city with tales of drugs, prostitution and violence. What was different from any of these predecessors was the amazing lack of any sort of remorse for the crime or positivity to counter the negative messages and images. This rapper was cut from a different cloth than his other Hip-Hop bretheren.

Lyrically, Eric's ghost writters Ice Cube, MC Ren, and The D.O.C. injected him with a sense of reality and depth that sounded shockingly unlike any other prior release. These harsh realites came to you from this kid who had previously stated, albeit misleadingly, that he was only 16 or 17 years old at the time the album was released. To hear the tales of bank robberies gone awry ("Nobody Move"), violent street confrontations with rival gangs ("Boyz-N-Tha Hood remix" & "Eazy-Duz-It"), and explicit tales of sexual exploits ("Still Talkin'") coming from the mouth of what sounded to be a young teen was astounding unto itself. But perhaps more amazing still was the fact that the second "radio friendly" half of the album was as equally uncompromising in content and depth as the first despite its lack of curses. The fact that the Street side doesn't outweigh the Radio side in terms of it's quality is a statement unto itself.

Beatwise, the blueprint laid out by Eric B and Rakim's heavy use of funk loops and samples on both Paid In Full and Follow the Leader were taken in a new direction by producer/DJ Dr. Dre. Prior to Eazy-Duz-It, most LA hip hop releases had a very strong prevalence of cheap sounding keyboards and drum machines. New York was still mostly stuck in James Brown land. Eazy-Duz-It came alive through use creative usage of Sly & The Family Stone, Bootsy Collins, Parliament, Brick, Brass Construction and others. This funk style of production became Dr. Dre's signature and set the trend for future West Coast releases up to today.

While all the highs and lows that were to follow this album's release are sure to spark a heated discussion in any group of Hip-Hop listeners, this album remains a testament to the strength of both Eazy and NWA. Sure, he didn't write his own lyrics. Sure Dre had to "punch" Eric into his own vocal tracks endlessly to create the illusion that Eazy could actually flow naturally. Yes there was the eventual falling out and self-implosion within NWA. And there were the many desperate attempts Eazy made to reclaim his credibility in the music community afterwards, (several of which are on this re-release version with the inclusion of his 5150 EP). None of these truths or eventual results should detract from the greatness of this release.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars He Was Once A Thug From Around The Way {4 Stars}, October 18, 2007

By 

Norfeest "Yes Yes Y'all" (Washington DC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Eazy-Duz-It (Audio CD)

I remember sneaking into my bedroom and listening to albums like this on my walkman because the lyrics were a little too blue for my moms taste. Even my dad didn't want me hearing this and he was the one that put me on to Redd Foxx. In hindsight, I'd have to say that this album was worth all the risk. But because an album was tight when you were in high school or college doesn't make it classic. I think a lot of people believe an album is classic simply because it's old. This album is definitely dope though. There ARE some classic joints to be found on this album. Tracks like "Boyz N The Hood (Remix)", "Eazy-er Said Than Dunn", "We Want Eazy", and "Eazy Duz It" are all classics that are still bangin' today and joints like "No More ?'s" and "Ruthless Villain" are tight as well.

There are a few suspect tracks that keep this album from achieving classic status. Tracks like "Still Talkin'", "Eazy-Chapter 8 Verse 10", and "Nobody Move" don't really go anywhere and come off as really forgettable while "I'ma Break It Down" is just plain boring.

Overall, the album is dope and is definitely worth owning. This disc falls short of classic, but the bangers on here make this album more than worth the money. If you're into old school or if you haven't heard these songs, then I recommend picking this one up. Also, if you can't find 5150: Home 4 Tha Sick then getting this is probably the closest you'll come to getting it since it's out of print now.

Standout Tracks: Radio, Boyz N The Hood (Remix), Ruthless Villain, We Want Eazy, Eazy Duz It, No More ?'s, and Eazy-er Said Than Dunn (My Favorite)

R.I.P. Eric Wright

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Straight off the streets of Compton, July 23, 2004

By 

T. A. CLARK "tiajuana76" (FORT LAUDERDALE, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eazy-Duz-It (Audio CD)

This cd brings back so many memories for me. In 1988, I was 12 years old when this "tape" (remember those) came out and I had no idea the impact this lil' dude and his posse would have on the music world. All I knew was the good music coming through my boom box. Eazy E (R.I.P) was not the greatest rapper, but Dre's beats behind that high pitched voice produced some classics. During that time my family didn't have cable, but we had the Jukebox and I recall running home from school to watch "We Want Eazy!" Those were the days and I was so saddened to see the tragic demise of Eazy E, the Godfather of rap.