Ruthless Records Co-Founder Jerry Heller Credits Ahmet Ertegun For First Gold West Coast Rap Group

Northridge, CA (By Phyllis Pollack/ Def Press Public Relations) - Jerry Heller, co-founder of Eazy-E's Ruthless Records and manager of the multi-platinum rap group N.W.A. issued a statement on Wednesday, crediting Ahmet Ertegun as being responsible for the first West Coast hiphop group to go gold, selling half a million copies, a release that was distributed by Atlantic Records, and that was on the Ruthless Records imprint. Heller and the late rap legend Eric "Eazy-E" Wright initiated the seminal West Coast rap label Ruthless Records by establishing distribution of its early Dr. Dre produced artists, including JJ Fad, the D.O.C. and Michel'le through Atlantic Records.

Ruthless' JJ Fad became the first West Coast rap group to go gold with the success of their hit album "Supersonic." Importantly, this Ruthless Records release was the very first rap album ever to sell gold on any label within in the Warner Music Group.

Heller states of Ertegun, "Ahmet brought integrity, vision, style and class to the music business. A giant among mere mortals. His presence will be sorely missed by those of us who had the privilege of knowing him."

Heller praises Ertegun several times in his autobiographical memoir "Ruthless," which was recently published by Simon and Schuster.