Jazz legend reaches new creative peak at age 80
(AP)AP - Jay-Z, Nas, Gang Starr and Common share this in common: They've all sampled recordings by jazz legend Ahmad ... more Guru's BET Awards Omission Due To A 'Technical Glitch,' Exec Says
Guru's BET Awards omission was due to a "technical glitch," network's Stephen Hill said. The late Gang Starr MC will be ... more Solar Hints At Guru's 'Frustration' With Gang Starr's DJ Premier
Solar hinted at Guru's "frustration" with Gang Starr's DJ Premier. "Certain aspects of Gang Starr and that relationship ... more Gang Starr's DJ Premier 'Salutes' Guru During Two-Hour Radio Show
Gang Starr's DJ Premier took to the SiriusXM satellite airwaves over the weekend to salute Guru, his late partner in ... more Solar Details Guru's Health Decline
Solar, a partner and ultimately, medical proxy, of Gang Starr founder Guru, talks in detail about the MC's decline and ... more more news
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru (1961-2010) and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop.. The group was founded by Keith Elam in Boston, Massachusetts in 1985 (then known as Keithy E. The Guru) and DJ 1,2 B-Down (also known as Mike Dee) with various producers, such as Donald D, J.V. Johnson or DJ Mark the 45 King helping out. In 1987 and 1988, Gang Starr released three 12" vinyl singles on the Wild Pitch label.. In 1989, the group split and the only member willing to continue under the name Gang Starr was Guru. He soon got in touch with 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). During their career Gang Starr helped pioneer the New York City hardcore hip hop sound. The entire Gang Starr's 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. DJ Premier recently stated that there is a posthoumous Gang Starr CD/DVD project in the works, most likely to be released in 2012....
read more (wikipedia)
