Product Details
Gallery Books, October 2006
eBook, 336 pages
ISBN-10: 1416937927
ISBN-13: 9781416937920
Ruthless tells the explosive story of Jerry Heller's alliance with Eric Wright, aka Eazy-E, one of the legends of rap music and a founding member of N.W.A., "the world's most dangerous band." As a longtime music industry superagent, Heller had the skill and insight necessary to guide N.W.A.'s cometlike rise to the top of the charts. Along the way there were raucous nationwide tours, out-of-control MTV pool parties, and X-rated business meetings. Heller held on through the brutal shocks and reversals of the Ruthless Records era, which saw the label being targeted by the FBI, and its principal artists locked in bitter conflict, until a final turnaround placed Ruthless at the top of the heap once more.
Heller turns the music industry inside out, exposing its strange logic and larger-than-life personalities. Ruthless provides keen insight into the popular music scene, with an unforgettable portrait of its rollicking excesses, life-churning drama, and multimillion-dollar highs.
"Jerry Heller is a fearless genius. He taught me well."
"When I was seventeen Jerry Heller taught me about the record industry. Without that knowledge I wouldn't be where I am now. I wouldn't have known how to protect myself. He was kind enough to show me the truth."
"I guess Jerry Heller backed the wrong n**ga."
"N.W.A. is me, Dre, Yella, and Jerry Heller."
"Jerry Heller was behind some of the most influential music in my life."
"Without Jerry Heller and Eric, it wouldn't be no Dr. Dres, it wouldn't be no Ice Cubes."
"I met Jerry Heller once and just didn't trust him."
"Jerry Heller is one of the brightest guys I've ever met."