Jerry Heller, former manager of the groundbreaking hip-hop group N.W.A, died Friday after suffering a heart attack while driving, the New York Times reports.
He was 75.
Heller had medical issues for quite some time, but his lawyer, Mickey Shapiro, claims Straight Outta Compton is to blame. N.W.A. had their share of problems with Heller, who’s prominently displayed in the ’90s rap group biopic, and it seems the problems are continuing.
From TMZ:
Mickey Shapiro tells TMZ ever since the movie came out painting Jerry as nothing but a crook, the former N.W.A. manager has been under a tremendous amount of stress. In fact — Shapiro says things were so bad — Jerry barely slept and was “heart broken” over the entire thing.WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.
Shapiro went on to say, “Jerry Heller would be alive today if not for that movie.”
R&B singer Michel’le, who is the mother of one of Dr. Dre’s sons, is slated to release her take on N.W.A.’s reign with an upcoming Lifetime biopic titled Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Me.
