Eazy-E defined the epitome of gangster rap. The Compton businessman released albums from revolutionary rap groups N.W.A and Bone thugs-n-harmony on his own Ruthless Records and solidified the black hat-black sunglasses gangster look for generations of rap fans. So when the music mogul died in 1995, a major link was broken in the West Coast rap scenes musical heritage.

Thanks to Lil Eazy-E, Eazy-Es oldest son, the resurrection of the West Coast rap is upon us. On his explosive debut album, The Prince of Compton, 21-year-old Lil Eazy-E revives gangster rap by delivering a searing collection of bone-crushing songs about the streets of his infamous hometown. He also gives listeners an intimate look into the life and death of his groundbreaking father.

Im speaking on issues that every Eazy-E fan wants to know, explains Lil Eazy-E, who grew up in the same Compton house and in the same Compton streets in which his father was raised. What does he think of his fathers life? Lil Eazy-E continues. What does he think about the death of his father? How does he live? A lot of people probably think that I lived in Riverside, Northridge or in the Valley somewhere. They didnt know that I was born and raised in the same house as my father, the oldest of nine kids. We were all together. We were a big family. I lived the same life my father lived. Im representing that and giving it to you on The Prince of Compton.

Growing up as the oldest son of Eazy-E, Lil Eazy-E virtually retraced his fathers steps. Like his father, Lil Eazy-E was raised by Eazy-Es mother. Lil Eazy-E also turned to gangbanging as a child and later developed his business and rap skills.

With a keen artistic vision, a phenomenal debut album, a budding record company and a fledgling roster of talented rappers, Lil Eazy-E is poised to become the West Coasts rap kingpin, just as his father did nearly 20 years ago.

I want to start an empire, he says. The whole of N.W.A. Ent. represents the whole legacy. Everything that I do represents the legacy of my father from this point on. Its real big to me because its a movement of pushing my fathers legacy. It means a lot to me. Were going to stay strong and push it, just like Ruthless was back in the day.