This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-48443134
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Eazy-E seaside memorial bench in Newhaven unveiled | Eazy-E seaside memorial bench in Newhaven unveiled |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A British seaside town has unveiled a memorial bench honouring "Godfather of Gangsta Rap" Eazy-E - despite the two having no connection whatsoever. | A British seaside town has unveiled a memorial bench honouring "Godfather of Gangsta Rap" Eazy-E - despite the two having no connection whatsoever. |
| Hip hop fan Guy Stevens suggested the seat be installed near the bandstand in Newhaven, East Sussex, as a joke. | Hip hop fan Guy Stevens suggested the seat be installed near the bandstand in Newhaven, East Sussex, as a joke. |
| But his campaign attracted enough donations for him to realise his dream of a permanent tribute to the US rapper from Compton, California. | But his campaign attracted enough donations for him to realise his dream of a permanent tribute to the US rapper from Compton, California. |
| Newhaven Town Council admitted they had never heard of the musician. | Newhaven Town Council admitted they had never heard of the musician. |
| Eazy-E, real name Eric Wright, was a former drug dealer and founding member of NWA, who released influential album Straight Outta Compton in 1988. | Eazy-E, real name Eric Wright, was a former drug dealer and founding member of NWA, who released influential album Straight Outta Compton in 1988. |
| The record was a huge hit which tackled the hostile, underprivileged side of American life. | The record was a huge hit which tackled the hostile, underprivileged side of American life. |
| '2Pac bench' | '2Pac bench' |
| Mr Stevens said it was "hilarious" that the artist had been honoured in a town almost 5,500 miles (8,800km) away where only a handful of people knew his music. | Mr Stevens said it was "hilarious" that the artist had been honoured in a town almost 5,500 miles (8,800km) away where only a handful of people knew his music. |
| He had first asked for a statue to sit alongside Newhaven's sculpture of communist leader Ho Chi Minh, who is said to have worked on cross-channel ferries docked there. | He had first asked for a statue to sit alongside Newhaven's sculpture of communist leader Ho Chi Minh, who is said to have worked on cross-channel ferries docked there. |
| But he later admitted that request had been "tongue-in-cheek", according to the council, and downgraded his request to a bench. | But he later admitted that request had been "tongue-in-cheek", according to the council, and downgraded his request to a bench. |
| Mr Stevens said the success of the campaign, which donors predicted would put Newhaven "on the world stage", was flattering. | Mr Stevens said the success of the campaign, which donors predicted would put Newhaven "on the world stage", was flattering. |
| He suggested others might follow his lead and pay tribute to other deceased hip hop "legends". | He suggested others might follow his lead and pay tribute to other deceased hip hop "legends". |
| "I'd like to see more benches dedicated to 2Pac and Biggie in neighbouring towns or even here in Newhaven," he said. | "I'd like to see more benches dedicated to 2Pac and Biggie in neighbouring towns or even here in Newhaven," he said. |
| "Or even rename Newhaven Newcompton." | "Or even rename Newhaven Newcompton." |
| Compton vs Newhaven | |
| So popular was Mr Stevens' campaign that he actually raised more than £1,600 ($2,024) in his bid to fund the £1,177 ($1,489) bench. | |
| In a further tribute to Eazy-E, who died of Aids in 1995, the extra cash was donated to two Brighton HIV charities, the Sussex Beacon and Terrence Higgins Trust. | In a further tribute to Eazy-E, who died of Aids in 1995, the extra cash was donated to two Brighton HIV charities, the Sussex Beacon and Terrence Higgins Trust. |
| 'We don't ask questions' | 'We don't ask questions' |
| Mayor of Newhaven Graham Amy said Mr Stevens's request left councillors "a little surprised", as there was no obvious connection to the town. | Mayor of Newhaven Graham Amy said Mr Stevens's request left councillors "a little surprised", as there was no obvious connection to the town. |
| "Eazy-E appears to have led a rather colourful life," he said. | "Eazy-E appears to have led a rather colourful life," he said. |
| "But if someone contacts us wanting to buy a memorial bench to their aunt, say, we don't ask questions about her lifestyle. | "But if someone contacts us wanting to buy a memorial bench to their aunt, say, we don't ask questions about her lifestyle. |
| "Indeed, Eazy-E is greatly admired in some quarters." | "Indeed, Eazy-E is greatly admired in some quarters." |
| The mayor added: "I'd never heard of gangsta rap. The Beatles were more my thing." | The mayor added: "I'd never heard of gangsta rap. The Beatles were more my thing." |
| You may also like: | You may also like: |