The original idea for Ruthless Records came when Wright asked Heller to go into business with him. He started recording songs during the mid-1980s in his parents' garage, thus starting Ruthless Records. However, after his cousin was shot and killed, he decided that he could make a better living in the Los Angeles hip hop scene, which was growing rapidly in popularity. In 1986, at age 22, Wright had allegedly earned as much as US$250,000 from dealing drugs. Likewise, 'dope dealer' was a role that accorded you certain privileges and respect.' 'Thug' was a role that was widely understood on the street it gave you a certain level of protection in the sense that people hesitated to fuck with you. Heller explains: 'The hood where he grew up was a dangerous place. Heller would claim that Wright's 'dope dealer' label was part of his 'self-forged armor'. Wright's music manager Jerry Heller recalls seeing Wright selling marijuana, but not cocaine. Wright supported himself mainly by selling drugs, and introduced his cousin to the illicit occupation. You had to be 'thug,' 'playa,' 'athlete,' 'gangsta,' or 'dope man.' Otherwise, there was only one role left to you: 'victim.' No one survived on the streets without a protective mask.
