DJ Yella on The Rise & Fall of NWA, Eazy-E Dying of AIDS, Becoming Homeless (Full Interview)

DJ Yella came through for yet another VladTV interview, and since he wrote a book, Straight Outta Compton: My Untold Story, DJ Yella started off at the beginning of his story as one of nine kids being raised by a single mother. DJ Yella detailed his early years, including being abused and the tragic passing of his older brother, and he went on to speak about getting into DJing, being part of the World Class Wreckin’ Cru, and meeting Eazy-E. From there, he detailed how NWA formed, his thoughts on Jerry Heller, and the controversy surrounding “F*** tha Police.” DJ Yella also detailed some of the more sad times in his life, including seeing Eazy-E in the hospital before he passed and being the only NWA member to go to Eazy’s funeral. To hear more, including his thoughts on the NWA biopic and maintaining his friendship with Dr. Dre, hit the full interview above.

[@thepistolguy859]

I feel like DJ Yella doesn't get his flowers and the respect he deserves. The dude was an important part of gangsta rap history.

[@marlonhillard1965]

I agree, brotha.

[@heatpete5106]

Yeah, and when the time comes that he passes all the fakes will come out as usual. Yella was E's right hand man along with Mc Ren Ruthless 4 Life! 🔥💯

[@toineroseborough6990]

Hell get em eventually everybody don’t get while they alive nobody really

[@bs-calrissian2023]

He kinda does. Who has ever not respected him?

[@destinygraham2230]

I always mention him when they brought up a lot of them don’t credit for the iconic movement they started

[@alescalante491]

I need to count the “I don’t know…” and “I wasn’t there…” comments. This man has nothing bad to say about anybody! You’re a gentleman in every sense of the word DJ Yella! Salute!

[@heatherfarmer6688]

Who would've thought. Absolute Sweetheart!

[@kylekellogg1390]

@@heatherfarmer6688 True he keeps it 💯 💯💯💯💯 very rare.

[@esotericallydoper6319]

U must be joking..this dude comes off as hella corny...how was he a member of the nwa? This is how u know it was fake

[@multimillionairet602]

That and he's an OG, he ain't here to be snaking like niggaz do nowadays like it's a trend

[@jaxjr121]

@@esotericallydoper6319 He's just a good dude and a friend. How does that diminish the group?? He clearly stated that NONE of them were gang members. They were just trying to be local LA stars and make music.

[@User-zzyyxxvv]

Yella is the only NWA member that had Easy's back all the way even through the drama and the beefs and his sickness. He was also the only one at his funeral. True friend

[@thepistolguy859]

That's just sad that Dre Ren and cube didn't go to the funeral. That's disrespectful.

[@UndergroundMonk]

Even worse was how they portrayed him as soft, broke, and out of music in Straight Out of Dre’s Mouth. Eazy had the hottest group in world when he died and others as well.

[@williammartin8459]

Dre went to make peace and talk to him but E was already in a coma.. I can't say anything about his choice of not paying homage at the funeral though.. gone too soon

[@mbrown1537]

Pp

[@goatstature8263]

Well he didnt have a choice dre or cube didnt want to take him

[@tracyfromcincinnati3002]

He seems like a humble, down to earth good dude. Great interview Vlad.

[@andybasstbn]

Yella is WAY too nice to be in the music biz. I'm so happy he seems to have come out of all the struggle all right.

[@michaelmclendon6368]

Yeaza

[@FlyyGirl1000]

Yea showbiz is ruthless and full of vipers willing to shit on each other to get to the top

[@TheColdrush22]

Love that dude.

[@gangstamack8397]

Yella is humble and great

[@stevenpatrick626]

Your completely right! my mom and I met him on a flight to Los Angeles and he was more than happy to take a pic with us. Very humble person and kind hearted.

[@larrywilbanks1610]

I'm 48 yrs old & NWA was a big part of my teenage yrs & beyond, I have yet to see another group or individual makes such a impact to their particular music genre as they have and this man was part of that history & he should be proud of. Much love & respect to DJ Yella & the whole NWA family

[@melissahardy4702]

I agree. It was poetry put to a beat and there was always a point. It gave a voice to A LOT of people wo fealt like they didn't have one. Listening to this music in my teens taught me a lot and I'm happy I did.

[@waslospsscht1255]

Yella is the type of Friend We can call him every time when we need a true friend for hard times..

[@kimberlyjackson7266]

Very loyal

[@hiphopjewels]

I can tell he never made any enemies in his life, which is why he always had a place to stay and got what he needed during those tough times. Personally, I like to keep it real, and tell people what I think of situations. But, watching this, I can tell there are benefits to never pissing anyone off. It's not for me, but I can respect it. He genuinely seems like the kind of guy who really did mind his own business, and took care of his own the best he knew how.

[@twokeanhazely3043]

Whatever

[@lenceaser3561]

DJ Yella should make a movie out of his book. I think people would want to see his story. His story is everything: interesting, sad and inspiring.

[@calderstanley4022]

I met DJ yella in Opal Lounge (Edinburgh in 2015) around the time the movie came out. Maybe 50-60 people showed up so he held a meet and greet in the VIP section. I was 18 and felt like a typical white boy superfan, shocked by the number of people there and at the chance to speak with him. He was extremely down to earth and it remains a great memory, an absolute gentleman 👍🏻

[@joshcarson4408]

Yella is such a good dude. I’ll always support his stuff

[@skrrskrr99]

Yella seems so down to earth and laid back. This seems super rare in the hip hop industry.

[@AlexGledhill237]

Underrated legend. Always respect him for staying with Ruthless and Eazy. A true G

[@SubRaider]

When he said “well he never came to any of my baseball games, but he’s still my dad” I shed a tear right there.... I would’ve went to one of ur games Yella 😔😔😔

[@waslospsscht1255]

😥

[@Ambience88]

Just one fam? Lol the saddest day in August

[@SubRaider]

@@Ambience88 I’m sure your smart enough to know what i meant bruh

[@TheBaBaTV]

Right ! Poor guy, he’s just a genuinely good person, you can just tell his personality is more light without hate, resentment, or anger ! So I’m not surprised he forgave his dad and just enjoyed the positive moments !

[@deemoe7301]

Such a humble guy....

[@lisabever2115]

I could listen to him talk all day. Would love to just hang out with him one day and listen to him tell stories of life back in the day.

[@Seekah_]

Yella is such a humble dude, his always active on socials thanking fans and just generally being a good person! What a legend. If you haven't drop him some props while his still around 👏

[@miguelhandy2226]

dj yella is such a good dude fr

[@NebulousNova]

2:27:25 Vlad actually let DJ Yella play the drums at the end! 😁. Yella's still got it.

[@yonas21]

he is big fan just watch him talk about Eazy E and NWA, i never seen anybody wants to know and have desire like Vlad about them.

[@kennethcapes4515]

DJ Yella is hands-down the coolest dude ever!!! You can just feel his energy! The guy is so humble and grounded! I love this Vlad Interview!!!

[@modelsnsonsflooring9428]

Yea him n dj Paul from 3-6 mafia

[@Simba4114]

This gentleman MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE. He's so Humble he didn't sell his soul.

[@SadieBenz317]

It's crazy that Yella was homeless during all this after all the great music he gave to the world, Yella really stayed humble ❤️

[@loudog1547]

Yella is one of the most respectful and nice dudes ive seen whos in the music business and esp the rap game back then... He doesnt bad mouth people, doesnt name drop or "snitch" . You can see he is a genuine person and just a really straight up nice respectful dude!!

[@kylamarie4970]

He always seems so happy? Like he never seems to talk about the past in a bad way or gets upset about it 🤷‍♀️ I really like his attitude

[@easy8325]

You can tell Yella was a good group member and friend.

[@michaellepizzera4657]

Yella is a great guest dude is an unsung hero of hip hop people need to give him his flowers

[@jzw55]

This whole interview isn’t as bad as the clips. He actually allows Yella to talk

[@kofiboateng1241]

Watching this interview and DJ Yella's stories, life is truly a journey. Off all he went through he still a humble guy.

[@ZBOXINGTALK]

Finally the full interview!

[@staychiefing7762]

For real

[@minkrobeII]

@Carlos Barajas each a min a half long.

[@justmeblac7273]

You can tell Yella TO GOOD OF A PERSON FOR THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. They take advantage of good hearts and calm spirits

[@queenratv115]

For the first time I really felt the true pain of E’s passing it seem to happen so fast be blessed DjYella

[@gilbertortiz9515]

Met yella last week in montebello meet and greet. Very humble dude .

[@devoncowboy]

This interview is perfect. Yella keep it 💯. Now I wanna see a interview with MC Ren, I feel like he's been in the dark.

[@TheColdrush22]

I’m so with you. Love Yella. Love Ren.

[@MegaChorro123]

I second that. I’m surprised Vlad hasn’t gotten MC Ren on the podcast

[@AndreLewis-y7i]

That's crazy none of them went to his funeral except Yella

[@ianray9137]

Loved the ending. Yella is such a kick ass drummer. I can see him getting into additional session work and more projects in the music industry. He has too much talent and ability to let it go to waste and it's obvious that music is what he was always destined to do before it fell away from him after Eazy passed away.

[@onofreeduardo4298]

Yupp just imagine the drum beats on 8ball eazy E 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 the production everything was amazing

[@reeseowens2182]

I can sum this up in one word, WOW! DJ Yella The Legend

[@origin.unkown]

Another dj yella interview was literally on my my mind today, I just love hearing about him and the other members and love to know more. I'm so glad and also surprised that this released 2 days ago and I wasnt notified, you read my mind, thanks vlad 🙌

[@nvjaso]

He still nice af on the drums 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Blackstallion007]

As someone who had similar experience when I was much younger and yes it was a man. but I'll leave it at that, molestation specifically child molestation, child abuse is no laughing matter no matter what happened how it happened whether you consented to it or not because legally if you are a minor you cannot LEGALLY consent and they are always individuals out there who will try you at some point. JUST stay on guard and be smart and stick to your loved ones. especially in public pools, public beaches, public parks and area's like that. just word to the wise and on the street. shout out to DJ Yella for being very humble and open and comfortable enough to publicly speak about this in a one-on-one interview and enough respect he didn't have to share specific event details, he'll leave that between him and God and so will I as I continue to do so last thing people want is everyone to hear about your business in tomorrow's newspaper or on social media. stay blessed everyone 💝

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

So often the child is left alone by the working mother to be "looked after" by the latest in a string of unemployed boyfriends. And leave God out of it.

[@Scolio]

@@AFaceintheCrowd01 and so often, it is in the fucking family where it happens. Fathers, uncles, cousins. All that shit. Sometimes even mothers themselves but I dont hear about that often

[@louise2519]

I appreciate this 💞 KZbin interview. I'm recovering from the brutal treatment conditions in the foster care home. I was abused manipulated slandered molested and stalked. I have PTSD I had to retire.

[@MrDannyboyhall]

Yella always comes across as the nicest dude you get the feeling that if you met him on the street you’d be talking with him for hours such an interesting and nice dude

[@daveblood00]

Yella ain't burning no bridges

[@FPaws-vn9vg]

The shucking and jiving made me cringe!

[@rdggrateful8796]

Grown man stuff.

[@Thebrothaisback]

My man looks like smokey Robinson

[@SanjayKumar-yf8qt]

One if the best and honest interviews ever 🎉 salute

[@_AR.]

Please have DJ Yella back as a regular!!!

[@chrisdiggidy405]

What’s crazy to me is, Yella seemed to be the only one in the Straight Outta Compton movie accurately depicted. He had a small role in the movie compared to the others, but everyone else was exaggerated. Cube and Dre looked like they were in the Avengers, they made Eazy look like a chump, Ren was pushed to the background, but Yella was comedy.

[@MrOctober44]

Dre is knocking out guys like he's a 21 year old Mike Tyson,lol

[@terrymiller111]

@@MrOctober44 His anger management issues are a real thing, though. Not sure about the skill "wit' dem hands", though.

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

Hard to believe this suburban dad in the pretty Ralph Lauren shirt was in NWA, striking terror into the hearts of white America. Nice interview here mentions KDAY, which was the greatest little station in L.A. I went up there one day and met everyone - it was a gem of an AM station playing the best music when rap was FUN. So sad it ended in 91 and everything became so damn dreary.

[@E_Wideman_Communications]

you not getting juice out of yella he keeping all the secrets respect

[@d.rabbit7276]

Fellas, pay close attention to this interview. This is how you deflect people who are trying to get you to say foul shit about your family and friends.

[@_WESTSIDE_]

Facts yella is a real one he’d never crack under pressure

[@TheRealSugeKnight]

DJ Yella on the drums is classic.

[@yvettehart2627]

I met them all personally, hung out with them for 3 days, D.J. Yella is a gentleman, heck they all were. D.j. Yella rode to their concert withe and my best friend when they were in Detroit. We met them at a club called U.B.Q., had a small party at their hotel room at St. Regis hotel. Met Cube the last day, went to his hotel rm got an autographed picture( still have it), that was 92, Cubes bodyguard Big Tom liked my friend Ronda, Cube said he like me, or my Sister, so that never happened. The steaks were good, so was the Absolut, and cranberry juice. Good times!

[@jinxiBwitit]

dang...telling it all

[@mackandbewick2733]

What up doe from E7mile

[@ehart3735]

The last name is banging Yvette.

[@byronh5806]

CAP

[@omarparedes2860]

When he said "whatever it is it's not going to bring him back." Felt that

[@delbertprince5302]

DJ Yella has taught me that, one minute you can be rich and the next minute,you have nothing….

[@doowopsoprano9867]

I always felt NWA was like the Hip Hop version of the Temptations. Dre & Yella was Melvin Franklin & Otis Williams. Cube was Eddie Kendricks. Ren was Paul Williams & Eazy was David Ruffin. That's just how it feels to me when I hear the music.

[@paulyejr]

We never talked about it. - That's my new line 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Cachorro530]

Man Yella is the definition of a hood homie “he doesn’t know and doesn’t wanna know” that’s how he did this whole interview

[@stevenknuckles710]

Yup!

[@95alive77]

I remember the first time hearing NWA. The older hustla’s were chilling on the Basketball court and this was when ppl carried around Boom boxes and they were out there playing it and it was unbelievable to hear dudes cursing. It’s nothing now but back then you were amazed

[@ramonecoleman5588]

Same here I remember it the way you described it

[@julianbrockett3753]

Say what you want, Vlad helps ppl out. I can appreciate that. There no reason why he should've been homeless. No reason. This is a prime example of us not taking care of our own. Bottom line. He should have gotten money from the movie, he shouldn't have to have gone to Cube for no money at all.

[@v11sins37]

Facts this is heartbreaking to know but it is the truth

[@bigjimfanning]

I agree but he spent his money frivolously on cars and women. It’s not as if he fell on hard times because of some external force. He screwed himself. However, the fact that he is so humble and likable, it’s hard to hear that he was homeless, as I have been homeless three times (all due to my own choices) and it is brutal. The key is he didn’t stay there. He is blessed that he still has his name and legacy which is almost as good as gold. As you can see by his net worth of 1 million, he didn’t stay at the bottom long. Any average person without that legacy would spend a lifetime trying to make a million dollars.

[@ericdavis2928]

Agreed no member of nwa should ever be homeless

[@TheBaBaTV]

@@bigjimfanning well he was getting screwed money wise, not getting paid enough and stolen money from him !

[@myronsmith2114]

@@TheBaBaTV The Micky Mouse check would have done it for me . I wish I had the security tape from the bank when they asked him did he know Micky Mouse. I would have slapped the shit out of E

[@centralcal6604]

That drum session at the end was the icing on the cake

[@60beatsCrimeFamilyEnt]

GOOD JOB DJ YELLA! the history is written directly from the man! Im going to buy the book. I have to!

[@dominiqueaguirre3499]

He just did an Interview with Roadium radio and that interview was much better .

[@readyornottv8505]

Salute to "DJ YELLA!!" He has a good vibe about him. A genuinely good brother💯👤

[@MrHollywoodNorth]

Meeting yella as an airbrush artist and hip hop fan from Canada was the greatest meet and greet ever! I airbrushed an image of eazy e juss so I cud get 10 minutes of his time and yella thought it was mad cool and took a picture with me! Full respect!

[@modelsnsonsflooring9428]

Good to see you doing well yella after 33 years of being a nwa fan

[@thegov4748]

DJ Yella hung in there. DJ Vlad did a great job promoting Yella with this giant platform. SoCal well represented here

[@kilog1kg]

Such a peaceful guy.

[@delbertprince5302]

Facts

[@Scoot_drop.-tha.-mic]

Big up dj yella gotta grab tha book 📖

[@palmlanes]

dj yella is a very important part of history in the music industry

[@scorpioscots9692]

Skipped right to the end to see him play Drums 👌I remember when Eazy Duz came out I always wondered if he could really play the drums 👍

[@MrISekctv]

Well U missed out on a good interview

[@scorpioscots9692]

@@MrISekctv I watched the interview in painstakingly short parts 😂

[@nkimandi]

if i ever get to be a grandpa..i want to be able to look back at the world,at my victories,my flaws,my blunders,my loyalty to friends,my discretion with the same vibe,energy and aura he radiates..he has built and lives in his own mental 'man cave'..salute to a legend

[@HammerOfJustice124]

Yella has an attitude. A very pleasant one.

[@_AR.]

If I didn’t know who he was, no one in this universe could convince me he was part of NWA or from Compton no less. It’s rare to hear someone who didn’t partake in alcohol, drugs or cuss that much. He’s so nice, bubbly, just chilled and minds his business. It’s strange for someone who witness a lot of traumatic experiences to turn out like this, smiling so much. It’s really refreshing and inspiring 🥺🥰

[@UndergroundMonk]

This is not rare for his generation. Go and listen to rappers from his generation, from Eazy E to to Chuck D and you find they were all educated, well spoken, and most not into stimulants.

[@ChrisJohnson-ib5fp]

Bro this is him now, he wasn’t the exact same as he was in the 80s and 90s. Though still he was still the nicest and chillest of the group back then he just had style and class and was loyal. Pretty much everything you could ask for in a friend

[@nignamedmutt7270]

He comes across more as a elementary school teacher, or church youth pastor than a "nigga with attitude" lol

[@SHIZZLE71]

im pretty sure we seen the whole interview thru the clips.....

[@lesliedelljr.8087]

Honored to have met Easy, when I was 12 years old in Detroit. Came off his bus ehrn he was leaving to give us dap and talk to us.

[@thisisOlboy]

i respect this man

[@lorenzodavila2780]

Damn every time somebody says something street Vlad gotta say oh… that happened to me once.. 😂

[@seansaltus371]

yella kept it real and is a bredren for life in that group

[@visonarydesignss9674]

Where’s the link to buy his book vlad ?

[@blackenigma1054]

i guess what i learned from this interview is that you don’t gotta be disrespectful, rude or just and all around bad person in life.......God loves you just as you are🔥

[@joshuagonzales635]

One of my favorite interviews 🤙

[@jonhumble3584]

Yella look like he could be smokey Robinson's kid tho 😆

[@trypulling921]

I love yella he has a good personality love his vibe

[@kimberlyjackson7266]

My favorite Ruthless album was The D.O.C. “No one can do it better” 🔥

[@myronsmith2114]

The D.O.C was the best rapper I ever hear. He was the best that came out of N.W.A until that car crash

[@kimberlyjackson7266]

@@myronsmith2114 I agree

[@RayRayJr.]

I love when Yella said "UhOh", when they started to play F Tha Police on stage.

[@mosaton]

DJ Yella is the most detached group member I've ever seen. He lives in his own world. He describes his time in NWA like a teenager describes going on a parent's work vacation who later divorce. His life can be described as being in the right place at the right time. Vlad: So, what happened? DJ Yella: I don't know, they wanted me to play on the drums so they bought me video games and I met a lot of girls then dad left but I had a lot of fun. Can I play on your drums?

[@lamBETTERthanY0U]

That’s not true he was also a big part of eazy’s later albums which are classics and his solo album was dope too

[@lankishajohnson8097]

Lies🤷🏽‍♀️

[@pablopablo5717]

@@lamBETTERthanY0U yeah his solo album was dope af yella legend no doubt !

[@pablopablo5717]

That's how im living BG knocc out produce yella And " 4 the e " song for eazy witk kokane

[@j2323j]

Lol

[@believensee8621]

This video is hard to listen to because Yella cant talk about any of the traumatic events he says he is over it but cant speak about it. Hope he heals.

[@bartier861]

He’s the realest friend you could ever have❗️you can actually turn yo back and know dude not saying a word under any circumstances

[@MegaChorro123]

Ayeooo Yella is back

[@grandinquizitor7412]

Damn, how does one have 9 biological kids with a woman then get a divorce? Man, at that point you just need to make that relationship work.

[@FUNNYMANERICWHITE]

😂

[@paulyejr]

Exactly

[@dr.aliadixonnursepractitio6473]

Probably got strung on drugs,, those years was the crack epidemic and it was really bad for impoverish black communities and those that got “hooked” left their families stranded with no mom or dad on the home Sad time

[@andrecarraby4838]

Dj yella is awesome. That’s my dad’s brother

[@redqueen7533]

He is a well grounded humble man

[@cliffdewind1389]

I don't know...I wasn't there...We never really talked about it..That ain't my business....That' funny uncle Yella🤣

[@youngwigga8215]

Dj Yella so underated

[@queenratv115]

Thanks Vlad a great interview I love NWA

[@joecastle9993]

DJ " we never talked about it " Yella. As Judge Judy would say, that just doesn't make sense, of course u talked about It, but respect for keeping that to yourself

[@jay-leeofficialcctv]

finally we get the full interview i been waiting for this one!

[@purebbc]

Real G's don't speak on what they don't know

[@queenratv115]

I’m smiling at the end of this so very cool thanks DJYella

[@busterhikney6936]

DJ "I wasn't there, I don't know nothing about it" Yella. Sheed, I should do a interview. Got a Eazy, Tupac and a Tyson story

[@dantegood2195]

I know Dre was the one who said he’d sell his soul

[@kenterminateddq5311]

I've been waiting for a DJ Yella interview for a long time so thank you, VLAD TV. Future Ja Rule interview please?

[@javiervega1065]

Ja rule ? 🤣😂

[@busterhikney6936]

Yes. There is a lot of turmoil in the world today and we need to know what jah thinks of it. - Dave Chappelle

[@shontell7]

Sooo you never put the link for the book…