5 Ways The Iconic 'He Was Once A Thug From Around The Way' Sample Is Still Shaping Hip-Hop In 2024

The phrase "He was once a thug from around the way" is arguably one of the most recognizable and haunting vocal loops in hip-hop history, a sonic ghost that has defined the West Coast sound for decades. As of December 15, 2025, this simple, almost spoken-word line has experienced a massive cultural resurgence, moving beyond its 1980s roots to become the defining backdrop for some of the most significant rap feuds and diss tracks of the 2020s. It is more than just a sample; it is a timestamp of authenticity, a foundational piece of the Gangsta Rap narrative that modern artists invoke when they need to establish undeniable street credibility and legendary status.

The line’s power lies in its origin: it is inextricably linked to the Godfather of Gangsta Rap, Eazy-E. When a producer like Metro Boomin or Kanye West drops this vocal tag, they aren't just adding a beat; they are summoning the spirit of Compton, the legacy of N.W.A., and the raw, unpolished truth of Eric Lynn Wright’s story. Understanding its journey—from a deep cut on a classic album to the centerpiece of a Kendrick Lamar verse—is key to understanding the current state of hip-hop’s cultural authority.

The True Biography of the Original "Thug From Around The Way": Eazy-E

The phrase is a direct reference to the life and persona of Eric Lynn Wright, better known as Eazy-E. He was the entrepreneur and artist who co-founded the revolutionary group N.W.A. and the seminal label Ruthless Records, forever changing the landscape of popular music. His life story is the embodiment of the "thug from around the way" narrative, transitioning from street life in Compton to becoming a multi-millionaire music mogul.

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• Full Name: Eric Lynn Wright
• Born: September 7, 1964, in Compton, California
• Died: March 26, 1995, in Los Angeles, California (due to AIDS-related complications)
• Aliases: Eazy-E, The Godfather of Gangsta Rap, The Thug From Around The Way
• Key Groups: N.W.A. (with Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella)
• Record Label: Founder of Ruthless Records (1987)
• Debut Solo Album: Eazy-Duz-It (1988)
• Signature Songs: "Boyz-n-the-Hood," "Eazy-Duz-It," "Straight Outta Compton" (with N.W.A.)
• Legacy: Instrumental in popularizing West Coast Hip-Hop and Gangsta Rap; his business acumen and controversial lyrical content paved the way for countless modern artists.

Eazy-E’s rapid rise and tragic, early death solidified his mythological status. He was the rare artist who maintained street credibility while orchestrating a massive commercial empire, a duality perfectly captured by the vocal sample that would outlive him.

The Origin of the Haunting Vocal Loop: Eazy-Duz-It’s Secret Sample

The famous line, "He was once a thug from around the way," is not actually performed by Eazy-E, but is a vocal sample from his 1988 solo track, "Eazy-Duz-It." The true origin story is a fascinating piece of hip-hop trivia, adding layers to its cultural significance.

A Reimagined Cartoon Lyric

The sample is widely attributed to R&B singer Michel'le, who was signed to Ruthless Records and was dating Dr. Dre at the time. The voice is a high-pitched, almost childlike vocalization, which gives the line its distinctive, unsettling quality.

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The lyric itself is a parody or re-imagining of a line from *The Gumby Show*, an American children's clay animation TV series. The original line from the show was reportedly, "He was once a little green slab of clay." The subtle change from "little green slab of clay" to "thug from around the way" perfectly encapsulates the transition from innocent pop culture to the gritty reality of Compton street narratives that Eazy-E represented.

Musical Entities and Production

The track "Eazy-Duz-It" was produced by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella, showcasing their innovative use of sampling and layering that would define the N.W.A. sound. The sample is used as a recurring, almost hypnotic loop throughout the song, acting as a chorus and a constant reminder of the protagonist's identity. This production choice established the phrase as an indelible part of the West Coast Hip-Hop lexicon, a signature sound instantly recognizable to hip-hop purists.

The Sample's Resurgence: Fueling Modern Rap Beefs (2022–2024)

What makes the "thug from around the way" phrase exceptionally relevant today is its recent, high-profile use in tracks that have ignited major rap controversies. The sample is no longer just a nostalgic nod; it’s a powerful tool used to establish dominance, authenticity, and a connection to the genre's most unassailable roots.

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1. Kanye West and The Game’s "Eazy" (2022)

In January 2022, the sample was thrust back into the mainstream spotlight in the track "Eazy" by The Game and Kanye West (now Ye). The song's entire menacing atmosphere is built around the Eazy-E vocal loop.

• Context: The song was notorious for Ye's public disses directed at comedian Pete Davidson, who was dating his ex-wife Kim Kardashian at the time.
• The Intent: By sampling Eazy-E, Ye and The Game were attempting to channel the raw, confrontational energy of classic Gangsta Rap. The "thug from around the way" sample served as a shield of authenticity, suggesting that their current, controversial actions were rooted in genuine, uncompromising street mentality, not celebrity drama. It was a direct link to the "no-holds-barred" approach of N.W.A.

2. The Kendrick Lamar Factor in "Like That" (2024)

The sample's most recent and arguably most impactful use came in March 2024 on the track "Like That" by Future and Metro Boomin, featuring a now-infamous verse by Kendrick Lamar.

• Context: Kendrick Lamar's verse on "Like That" was a direct, explosive declaration of war against his perceived rivals, specifically Drake and J. Cole, effectively kicking off the 2024 rap beef.
• The Intent: The menacing, looping Eazy-E sample provides the perfect, dark foundation for Kendrick's aggressive verse. The sample's association with uncompromising, foundational gangsta rap—the original "thug from around the way"—lends an immediate, unassailable authority to Kendrick's claims of being the true "King of Rap." It frames his diss as a necessary, old-school confrontation, sanctioned by the spirit of Compton’s original rebel.

3. The Symbol of Uncompromising Authenticity

The recurrent use of this specific sample by top-tier artists like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar highlights a key theme in modern hip-hop: the search for topical authority and unimpeachable credibility. The "thug from around the way" is a symbol of an artist who came from nothing, survived the streets, and achieved success without selling out his core identity. When the sample plays, it’s a shorthand for:

• Realness: A reminder of the genre's gritty, uncompromising origins.
• Legacy: A direct line connecting the artist to the lineage of West Coast legends like Eazy-E and N.W.A.
• Menace: A sonic warning that the artist is operating outside the bounds of commercial politeness, echoing the controversial nature of Eazy-E's early work.

By employing this classic vocal loop, contemporary rappers are not just making a stylistic choice; they are making a statement of intent, positioning themselves as the rightful heirs to the throne of Gangsta Rap, a title first claimed by the legendary Eric Lynn Wright.