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Music Legend Confirmed Dead By Family Member

Jerry Heller, the original manager of N.W.A., is dead. Gary Ballen, Heller’s cousin, confirmed the death but did not share any information on what caused it. Heller was well known in music circles for working with acts like Marvin Gaye and Pink Floyd but really blew up when he partnered with Eazy-E and Ruthless Records. At Ruthless, he managed a number of rap legends like N.W.A., Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and D.O.C.

Heller is most likely remembered for his role in N.W.A.’s breakup. It was a moment captured in Straight Outta Compton, the N.W.A. biopic. The breakup was something that affected him deeply, and he spoke on the biopic before it was released.

Via TMZ

Jerry Heller, the groundbreaking/controversial manager who brought Eazy-E and N.W.A. to fame and helped change the landscape of music is dead.

Heller was embroiled in controversy for decades, right up until his death Friday. He was accused of fleecing members of N.W.,A. Some members, including Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, accused him out outright stealing.

Heller and Eazy-E founded Ruthless Records, which churned out a number of rap stars … until Suge Knight and Death Row Records stole the big ones.

Heller filed a defamation $110 million lawsuit against producers of “Straight Outta Compton” for the way he was portrayed. He vowed on TMZ Live to continue that fight. The case was pending at the time of his death.

Heller also worked with huge rock and soul acts in the 60s and 70s including … Elton John, Pink Floyd, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, The Who and Ike & Tina Turner.

He was 75.

Rest in peace, Jerry.

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