Gang Starr's Guru dead at age 43
Rapper Guru (Getty Images)
The gifted hip-hop MC known as Guru --- an acronym for “Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal” --- died Monday at age 43.
A letter purportedly written by the rapper was released Monday by his current collaborator, the producer Solar: “I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options. I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting.”Guru, born Keith Elam in 1966 in Boston, founded Gang Starr, one of the key groups during hip-hop’s “Golden Age” of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. With Texas-born Chris Martin, aka DJ Premier, Guru brought a laid-back cool and nimble menace that distinguished the duo from other classic East Coast combos such as Public Enemy and Run-DMC. Guru had moved to New York in 1983, then the epicenter of hip-hop, and with Premier created the signature Gang Starr track “Jazz Music,” which appeared on the duo’s 1989 debut album, “No More Mr. Nice Guy.”
The track was distinctive for its time, a study in languid reserve over a rolling drum loop spiced with horns and ripples of piano. It consciously evoked late-night jazz clubs that preceded hip-hop, and connected the genres explicitly. The track came to the attention of movie director Spike Lee, who brought the group together with jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis to create a track for the film “Mo’ Better Blues.” Their collaboration, “Jazz Thing,” played over the movie’s closing credits, and cemented Guru’s reputation as one of the new gurus of hip-hop cool.
It was a reputation he further enhanced with a series of "Jazzmatazz” albums, beginning in 1993. The cover art directly evoked the Blue Note jazz albums of the 1950s and featured such musicians as Marsalis, Ramsey Lewis, Courtney Pine, Donald Byrd and Chaka Khan merging their talents with hip-hop era production and Guru’s lyrical flow.
But it was with Gang Starr that Guru’s music is best known. Though the duo was not a huge commercial success – their first gold-selling album didn’t arrive until the late ‘90s – Guru and Premier forged a style that proved to be hugely influential, primarily on underground artists. Premier’s intricate yet hard-hitting style underpinned Guru’s dry, hard-edged tone that never escalated into shouting or posturing. Even when he boasted, he sounded like he was deadly serious, a no-nonsense street philosopher who wielded words with the precision of switchblades.
The collaboration between the two ended in 2004. Guru continued to work on solo albums and the “Jazzmatazz” series, in collaboration with Solar.
Guru’s death-bed statement referred to Solar as “my loyal best friend, partner and brother,” and pointedly excluded Premier: “I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ.”
greg@gregkot.com
You will be missed homey. You were the best!
Posted by: Dollar Bill | April 20, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Guru was a hero. Sad he had a fall out with DJ Premier and the 2 never settled before his passing. A hip-hop icon for sure. Rest Easy!
Posted by: j.com | April 20, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Guru was Real Hip Hop with a Splash of Jazz, Nuff Said!!!
Posted by: Ceo | April 20, 2010 at 03:42 PM
I don't believe that GURU wrote that letter. Solar was keeping him from his own family for the last year or so while he was sick. Something is really wrong about this whole thing.
Most people don't distance themsleves from old friends on their deathbeds, they try to reconcile differences.
You can get the whole letter at allhiphop.com or hiphopgame.com and judge for yoursleves.
RIP Gifted Unlimited. YOU WILL BE MISSED THE WORLD OVER!
Posted by: The Shwamy | April 20, 2010 at 04:11 PM
Another hip-hop great meets their end. So unfortunate. Guru was def one of the best and will be missed by those that truly loved the music. For a tribute to one of the greatest and the man who formed the rap group GangStarr please go to : http://www.lionsdenu.com/gangstarrs-guru-dies-at-age-43-rip-keith-elam/
Rest in Peace Keith Elam Aka Guru
Posted by: Tim Pilgram | April 20, 2010 at 06:48 PM
Every early death is a tragedy and it's a shame Guru is gone.
At the same time, the metal community lost a legend last week as well with the death of Peter Steele of Type O' Negative at the age of 48 due to heart failure. Yet, not a peep from you Mr. Kot or your on air co-conspirator, despite Type O' selling over a million copies of 'Bloody Kisses' in 1993 supposedly at a time when grunge had already killed Metal.
This, along with your continued lame endorsements of each new Slayer & Mastadon release, demonstrates your pandering to rap/hip-hop genre's and lack of empathy or understanding of the the metal community. Chicago has a vibrant metal seen! We deserve better!!
Posted by: BigJoe | April 20, 2010 at 07:21 PM
Relax In Paradise GURU! It hit me like a ton of bricks, what a great loss to all us Hip Hop heads. We just lost a legend like no other, GURU is not one to ever be replaced. My condolences to his family, and PEACE TO PREMO! Without GURU and PREMO there would have been no Gang Starr. I'm glad that I had the privilage to see them perform as Gang Starr. "GOD BLESS THE DEAD"
Posted by: Naomi | April 22, 2010 at 11:47 PM