Eazy-E may be a West Coast rap legend, but his former protégés, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, aren’t happy with the way he’s being remembered. According to the rap vets, Eazy-E hasn’t been getting the respect he deserves due to his controversial HIV diagnosis.
“Some people seem like they are afraid to commemorate him due to how he died,” Bizzy Bone told TMZ. “But Bone never once has — nor will stop — commemorating him.”
Eazy-E rose to fame as founding member of the iconic ‘80s hip-hop group N.W.A and became known as “The Godfather of Gangsta Rap.” However, Eazy-E’s life was cut short in 1995 when he was diagnosed with HIV and died due to “AIDS related complications” just a month after announcing his status.
Unfortunately, during that era, people diagnosed with HIV were subjected to stigma and discrimination, and many at the time still believed that HIV was a “gay” disease or punishment for sexual deviancy. And, according to Bone, who were mentored by Eazy-Z, many people deem Eazy-E’s death as less honorable or “gangsta” as, say, dying by the gun.
“They died being known as gangsta heroes,” Krayzie said. “Eazy died from a disease … so many look at that differently.”
However, Bone plans to continue Eazy-E’s legacy and plan to honor Eazy by performing “Foe Tha Love of $” with Eazy’s hologram at the “Rock the Bells” festival in September and October.
“The success Eazy left to the rap game is enormous and can’t be topped by anyone,” Layzie Bone said. “We are going to make sure we have the stage full of Eazy love.”
It’s honorable that Bone is not only striving to see Eazy-E’s memory live on, but that they’re also tackling the still sensitive issue of HIV/AIDS and the stigma that surrounds people who have it. Sadly, many people are still uneducated about the facts of HIV or hold ignorant or overly moralistic beliefs about people who are HIV-positive. But, hopefully, Bone’s continued efforts can help to sway some of those people that HIV is simply a non-discriminating disease, not a mark of shame or evil.
Check out some other celebrities who died of HIV after the cut. –nicholas robinson
