On September 6, Capitol/Priority Records commemorated the 41st anniversary of late west coast rap icon Eazy-E's September 7, 1964 birth and the tenth anniversary of the rap icon's 1995 death by releasing Eazy-E - ''Eternal E: Gangsta Memorial Edition'', a deluxe CD/DVD package.

The expanded set includes 16 Eazy-E songs, seven music videos starring Eazy-E and the previously unreleased song "A Lil'' Eazier Said" from Eazy-E's son, the 21 year old emerging rap artist, LIL'' E. The DVD also includes three HIV/AIDS Public Service Announcements. At the age of 31, Eazy-E died on March 26, 1995 due to AIDS-related causes.

Eazy-E was born Eric Wright on September 7, 1964. He rocketed 'straight Outta Compton'' to rap gangsta superstardom with Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren and Yella in N.W.A

Eazy-E became one of rap's most important figures by paving the way for the rap businessman. The Compton rapper-executive took the then-revolutionary step of launching his own Ruthless Records in the mid-1980s and helped to popularize gangster rap with his solo recordings and as a member of N.W.A, the controversial rap super group.

"He started the whole gangster rap era," says LIL'' E, Eazy-E's son.  LIL'' E's "A Lil'' Eazier Said," a previously unreleased update of Eazy-E's classic "Eazy-er Said Than Dunn" single, is included on Eazy-E - ''Eternal E: Gangsta Memorial Edition''.  "There wouldn''t be nothing - not 2Pac (Tupac), not Biggie, not 50 Cent, not Dr. Dre, not Eminem - if it wasn''t for my father," LIL'' E continues. "He started it. He's the Godfather of gangster rap."

In addition to LIL'' E's new track on the new ''Eternal E'' package, the set's DVD includes three Rap-It-Up Public Service Announcements, produced by the Kaiser Family Foundation and BET. The PSAs are designed to foster HIV/AIDS awareness through celebrating Eazy-E, a rap legend who fell victim to the epidemic.

In a March 2005 article paying tribute to Eazy-E and his musical legacy, the Los Angeles Times called Eazy-E's ''Eazy-Duz-It'' and N.W.A's 'straight Outta Compton'' "landmark albums" and continued, "These albums established Eazy-E, from the then-little known suburb of Compton, as a major player in the rap industry."  'straight Outta Compton'' also earned the ranking of #144 on Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 list of the "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" and was ranked #10 in Spin magazine's July 2005 tally of the "100 Greatest Albums 1985-2005."

Eazy-E - ''Eternal E: Gangsta Memorial Edition'' is the most complete tribute available for one of rap's most significant figures.

"This album keeps his legacy pushing and keeps his name out there," LIL'' E says.

The album is in stores now. Buy it please do not download it off the web. Support those who bring us true hip-hop.

Track Listing for CD and the DVD

Eternal E: The Best Of Eazy-E -- Gangsta Memorial Edition

     CD 

     1.  Boyz-N-The Hood (remix)

     2.  8 Ball (remix)

     3.  Eazy-Duz-It

     4.  Eazy-er Said Than Dunn

     5.  No More ?'s

     6.  We Want Eazy

     7.  Nobody Move

     8.  Radio

     9.  Only if You Want it

     10. Neighborhood Sniper

     11. I''d Rather F*** You

     12. Automobile

     13. Niggaz My Height Don''t Fight

     14. Eazy Street

     15. Real Muthaphukkin G's

     16. Ole School S***

     17. Lil Eazier Said - unreleased track from Eazy-E’s son; LIL’E.

 DVD

1.  We Want Eazy

2.  Only If You Want It

3.  Eazy-er Said Than Dunn

4.  100 Miles & Runnin''

5.  Neighborhood Sniper

6.  Straight Outta Compton

7.  Appetite For Destruction

And 3 PSA announcements

Read ThugLifeArmy.com’s review of the album HERE.