Get Involved, Internet: Help this tiny Sussex town erect a bench honoring Eazy-E

Despite having no idea who he is, the town council of Newhaven, a tiny town in Sussex, has approved a memorial bench in honor of Eazy-E, the late gangsta rapper who rose to prominence alongside Dr. Dre and Ice Cube in N.W.A.

Guy Stevens, a diehard Eazy-E fan, initially proposed a statue, with The Argus reporting that he bolstered his plea with the support of “36” local fans. The council, who sound infinitely more patient than most, declined the statue, but said that it would “make provisions for an engraved bench if Mr. Stevens and the 36 ‘fellow fans’ paid for it.”

Stevens started a GoFundMe campaign seeking £2,000 (roughly $2,613) for the bench and, as of this writing, is currently at £663. Any surplus funds raised, he says, will go to “an AIDS charity in Brighton of my choosing as Eazy-E sadly passed away from this terrible disease in 1995.” You can donate here, should you be so moved.

Though the council is behind the project and even suggested a “local Eazy-E tribute artist” come perform in the town, they reportedly remain unimpressed with tracks like “Real Muthaphuckkin G’s” and “Nutz On Ya Chin.”

Stevens shrugged off their criticism. “They clearly haven’t listened to his song ‘Sippin’ On A 40.’ But I am grateful they’ve allowed the tribute anyway.”

We are, too. And you really should listen to “Sippin’ On A 40.” Hear it below.