Cancer claimed the life of Hip Hop icon Guru in April of 2010. Ten years later it’s still hard for many of us to accept.
What the disease did not do was take away the legend’s storied legacy.
Born Keith Edward Elam in 1961, Guru (an acronym for Gift Universal Rhymes Unlimited) became a critically acclaimed performer alongside DJ Premier as duo Gang Starr. He’d follow their success with his top-selling hip-hop/jazz fusion series titled Guru’s Jazzmatazz.
After he and Premier ended their run in 2006, The Gifted One continued as a solo act until his passing.
Today we proudly honor Guru’s memory by highlighting 10 of his most influential songs.
#1: “Positivity” – From Gang Starr’s debut album No More Mr. Nice Guy, this single introduced us to Guru and DJ Premier, doing so with an encouraging message.
#2: “Trust Me” featuring N’Dea Davenport – The first single from the debut of Guru’s groundbreaking hip-hop/jazz fusion series, Guru’s Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1, opened eyes in America, also immensely expanded the respect of hip-hop in Europe.
#3: “Take It Personal” – By Gang Starr’s third album, Daily Operation, Guru was known for his expressive, thought provoking rhymes stemming from deep within. To this point none were more in-your-face, as uncomfortably edgy as this one. And it landed the duo their first #1 single.
#4: “Moment of Truth” – The title track from one of Gang Starr’s most celebrated albums finds Guru delivering an impassioned rhyme about what we’re all destined to face.
#5: “In Here” featuring Timbo King, Killa Priest and Black Jesus; produced by The Alchemist – This was Guru’s lead-off single from his first solo album, Baldhead Slick & da Click. He shared the spotlight. Black Jesus says of the song, “We did like 50,000 [units] the first week!”
#6: “Royalty” featuring K-Ci & JoJo – 3rd and final single from Gang Starr’s Moment of Truth; when it was trendy for hip-hop acts to team with singers, the pair employed two of the best – K-Ci and JoJo of Jodeci. Layered heavily over one of DJ Premier’s best beats, Guru offers well-intentioned advice, and career and personal self-assurance.
#7: “Le Bien, La Mal” featuring MC Solaar – A forward-thinking standout from Guru’s Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1, The Gifted One teams with a then up-and-coming French hip-hop star, MC Solaar. On this his guest raps in his native language. Yet another groundbreaking chess move by Guru.
#8: “Hot S***” with Big Daddy Kane, Sadat X, and Greg Nice as D&D Allstars – Now a rare underground gem, this Evil Dee and Mr. Walt-produced one-shot teamed Guru with fellow New York native hip-hop legends. Big Daddy Kane says of Guru, “Guru was that guy who always tried to create that bridge between hip-hip and jazz, the established and the up-and-comers. He did a great job of it. People have songs like that on their album, but not represented as a cultural move like Guru did.”
#9: “Full Clip” – Dedicated to the memory of late hip-hop star Big L, the title track of compilation Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr served as an aggressive reminder why Premier and Guru were 10 year veterans in the recording industry. Like the samples suggested, “Gang Starr…one of the best yet.”
#10: “Eulogy” – From Gang Starr’s 6th and final album The Ownerz, Guru delivers a single poignant verse. Listen to it if you’ve never heard it. It’s powerful. |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
