Ex-NWA Manager, Jerry Heller Dies

Jerry Heller, co-founder of the seminal rap label Ruthless Records and former manager of rap group N.W.A., has died at 75.

TMZ reports that Heller died after suffering a medical emergency while driving in Ventura County Friday morning. He allegedly slammed into a mini-van and was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. It’s unclear if he died from the medical emergency, the collision or both.

Heller, who was portrayed by Paul Giamatti in the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, was a polarizing figure in the N.W.A. story.