Released only a month after
Straight Outta Compton (1988),
Eazy-Duz-It was the first
N.W.A spin-off album. Years before
Ice Cube went solo with
Amerikkka's Most Wanted (1990), before
Dr. Dre changed the
rap game with
The Chronic (1992), before
MC Ren struggled to establish himself with
Shock of the Hour (1993), and before
Yella simply fell into obscurity,
Eazy-E rose to immediate superstar status with this solo debut. It's no wonder why, for the album plays like a humorous, self-centered twist on
Straight Outta Compton with
Eazy-E, the most charismatic member of
N.W.A, front and center while his associates are busy behind the scenes, producing the beats and writing the songs. In terms of production,
Dr. Dre and
Yella meld together
P-Funk,
Def Jam-style hip-hop, and the leftover electro sounds of mid-'80s Los Angeles, creating a dense, funky, and thoroughly unique style of their own. In terms of songwriting,
the D.O.C.,
Ice Cube, and
MC Ren are each credited; plus,
Ren performs raps of his own on five of the 12 songs. The collaborative nature of the music -- with
Dre and
Yella producing;
the D.O.C.,
Ice Cube, and
MC Ren writing the songs;
MC Ren featured as a guest on half of them; and
Eazy-E performing -- fortunately makes
Eazy-Duz-It more of an
N.W.A effort than a true solo album. This is fortunate because as charismatic as he may be,
Eazy-E isn't an especially gifted MC. He's at his best here when he's cracking wise and also when he's overshadowed by
Dr. Dre's productions, particularly on the four-song sequence of
"Eazy Duz It," "We Want Eazy," "Eazy-er Said Than Dunn," and
"Radio" -- all heavily produced songs with layers upon layers of samples and beats competing with
Eazy-E's rhymes for attention.
Straight Outta Compton is no doubt the more revolutionary album, yet
Eazy-Duz-It is a great companion, showcasing
N.W.A's sense of humor and, despite the often violent subject matter, casting them in a lighter, more humorous mood. When
Eazy-E would return with a second solo release,
5150 Home 4 tha Sick, his
N.W.A associates would be M.I.A. and the difference would be stark. [The 2013 reissue added 12" mixes of "We Want Eazy" and Still Talkin'".] ~ Jason Birchmeier
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