Hi Everyone ,
Today I’ll Talk ’bout Gang Starr , One Of My Favorite Hip Hop Group .
This Year they released a new song called “Family & Royalty” Featuring J.Cole .
I Personally Love the beat that Premier made , It’s a way of Reminiscing Guru’s Legacy
Gang Starr , originating in Brooklyn, New York, consisting of MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Some of their top hits include “Mass Appeal”, “Take It Personal” and “Above The Clouds”. Gang Starr was at its height from 1989 to 2003, and are considered one of the best MC-and-producer duos in hip hop history. They are also recognized for being one of the first pioneers of jazz rap.
Original Gang Starr group was founded in Boston, Massachusetts by Guru (then known as MC Keithy E.) and DJ 1, 2 B-Down (also known as Mike Dee) with various producers, such as Donald D, J.V. Johnson or The 45 King helping out, their earliest recordings were in 1986 where they made various demos. In 1987 and 1988, Gang Starr released three 12″ vinyl singles on Wild Pitch Records.
In 1989, the group split and the only member willing to continue under the name was Guru. He soon got in touch with Houston, Texas native DJ Premier (then known as Waxmaster C) who sent him a beat tape, which Guru liked. He invited DJ Premier to join Gang Starr and in that same year they released their first single “Words I Manifest” along with the album No More Mr. Nice Guy (1989). In 1990, the group was signed to the Chrysalis record label by then A&R director Duff Marlowe, a former DJ and Los Angeles Times rap music critic. The London-based label offered Guru and Premier unlimited artistic license and major-label distribution worldwide, a platform the group used to become one of the most influential hip hop acts of that decade. During their career Gang Starr helped pioneer the New York City hardcore hip hop sound. The entire Gang Starr catalog, especially Step in the Arena (1990), Daily Operation (1992), Hard to Earn (1994) and Moment of Truth (1998) are well respected among underground rap fans and critics. Gang Starr provided a track, Battle, for the sound track of the 2002 movie 8 Mile. Their track “Jazz Thing” was featured on the soundtrack to Spike Lee’s film Mo’ Better Blues.
After several albums and tours, in late 2002 DJ Premier left Europe back to the United States. Once again Guru was faced with continuing alone and became involved in a European tour in 2003-04 with an alternate DJ.
In 2006, Guru indicated in several interviews that Gang Starr had reached its end.
Keith Edward Elam (July 17, 1961 – April 19, 2010), better known by his stage name Guru (a backronym for Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal), was an American rapper, producer and actor. He was a member of the legendary hip hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Boston.
About.com placed him on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time, while The Source ranked him #30 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time, saying “Guru dropped some of the most thoughtful rhymes on wax”.
The French city of Montpellier named a small street “Allée Guru” after the rapper, citing his influence on both hip hop and jazz. It is near streets named for other American cultural figures Jay Dee, Ray Charles, Andy Warhol, and Nina Simone.
In 1993, Guru released the first in a series of four solo albums while still a member of Gang Starr. Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 featured collaborations with Donald Byrd, N’Dea Davenport, MC Solaar and Roy Ayers and received positive reviews. His second solo LP, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality, featured Chaka Khan, Ramsey Lewis, Branford Marsalis and Jamiroquai. The third installment was released in 2000, but it received less positive reviews.
Guru passed away in 2010 , was working with producers like Pete Rock & DJ Premier a lot .
RIP Guru
For More Information About Them : Gang Starr
References (Guru) : Guru