Ice Cube Explains Life Lessons Learned from Eazy-E

Source: Prince Williams / Getty

Ice Cube opens up about what life lessons he learned from Eazy-E.

In the biopic Straight Outta Compton, which is due in theaters Friday (August 14). The N.W.A rapper died from complications due to AIDS in 1995.

“Eazy taught us that AIDS was real, not just for big-time celebrities or movie stars, but it you’re right here in the hood, you can get it, too, he’s gonna reteach that lesson with this movie because it’s still a big epidemic in our community.”

Cube decided to leave the group in 1989 and also feuded with the group, releasing his “No Vaseline” diss track. Ice Cube was happy that he was able to reconcile with Eazy-E before his death.

“Life is short,” Cube says. “Bury any hatchet when you can. If you got any issues you’re dealing with, now’s the time to mend it ’cause you never know if you’re gonna have that time. I’m glad I was able to mend things with Eazy before he passed and talk to him. It was like old times again.”

Fellow N.W.A member DJ Yella says that he didn’t know Eazy-E had AIDS at the time of his death.

“Last thing he told me on the phone, he said, ‘Watch it,’” DJ Yella says. “But he never told me about the AIDS. He didn’t want me to know. It’s dangerous out there for the world. It’s real.”