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Tuesday, April 20, 2010 | 7:18am
Highbrid Nation Remembers: Keith Elam a.k.a. ‘Guru’ of Gangstarr
July 17, 1966 – April 19, 2010
This morning I was saddened by the news that yet another huge piece of my childhood was called home. Keith Elam, known better to all of us as Guru, the legendary emcee of the group Gangstarr has passed at the tender age of 43.
Its been about a month since we first learned that Guru was ill but the details were always very sketchy and inconsistent and today even more questions have surfaced. However instead of focusing on that I just wanted to personally take time out to thank Mr. Elam for helping me get through those rough times as a kid.
When I reflect on my childhood, as a kid raised in hip hop, those memories are always set to a soundtrack. A soundtrack that includes a disproportionate array of Gangstarr records especially setting the background to my early stages of adolescence. I can remember hearing the raw sounds of then MC Keithy E. The G.U.R.U. (Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal /God is Universal; he is the Ruler Universal) spitting over the distinctive cuts and ill samples of Waxmaster C now known to us as the legendary DJ Premier. So for those of you who remember, those of you too young to remember and those who never knew, I thought I’d share a little bit of my soundtrack as we sit and pay tribute. I encourage any in the Nation who feel so inclined to eulogize our fallen brother in the comment section. Rest In Peace Guru, you’ll be missed.
Mass Appeal
Dwyck Feat Nice and Smooth
Just To Get a Rep
Manifest
You Know My Steez
FULL CLIP – In memorial of another fallen Hip Hop legend, BIG L.
Le Bien, Le Mal (Off Guru’s Jazzmatazz Vol. 1)
FILED IN Editorials, Music, News
Lemonade is a popular drink and it still is, I got more props and kicks than Bruce Willis. R.I.P. Guru Gangstar’s “Moment of Truth” album is still one of my favorites!
Been playing Jazzmatazz all day…. RIP!!! Guru was one of the pioneers of hiphop.
you yungsters aint gonna believe this but from 1988- 1998 guru was in most people’s top 5. he was a legend.even the crew was ill. jeru, group home, bahamadhia,man i miss them times. r.i.p. guru.
I’ll agree and disagree. During that time period in no way was Guru in my top 5. Premier will always be number 1 but there were waaay too many talented emcees at that time for him to touch the top 5.
.
I totally agree the crew was sick. To this day Supastar by Group Home was and is my favorite track of all time.
at that time it was real hiphop agreed? so your list should go somethin like this. buckshot, guru, ice cube, nas, prodigy. or you can plug in a wu tang member if you like. from 1991 to about 1997 or 8 these were the anticipated rappers we couldnt wait to hear their next shit. now granted all of em have fallen off or just gotten old but thats what it was. oh yea give an honorable mention to snoop.
BaldHeadSlick…..
GURU raised young’n all through the 90′s.
‘Ex Girl to Next Girl’
‘Mass Appeal’
‘Memories’
‘Betrayal’ feat. Face
I could go on.
RIP GURU
‘Ex Girl to Next Girl’ wow…took me back. NEXT!
“God Bless Ya Life” These are the words that I Manifest, I MANIFEST…
R.I.P. Guru…One of the best…
moment of truth, the ownerz, daily operation, the one with check the technique, the very first lp, man gangstarr was the illest
“Clips are inserted into my gun
so I can take the money and never have to run..”
DWYCK.
One of the first artists to form strong ties with international rappers. Guru was huge in France, featuring joint projects with MC SOLAAR (not to be confused with Solar). A pioneer and a genius it was Guru’s Jazzmatazz and Charlie Brown cartoons that introduced me to Jazz. Being from Canada groups like the Dream Warriors took their cue from Guru. The Dream Warriors went on to produce hit singles like “My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style” and “Wash Your Face in My Sink”.
RIP Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal
gang has been watchin u but instead of just squasin u, im scoopin u up i aught to mock u wallinin like a chief chemist all the scientist are followin
im so real to them its scary; and wit my unique skills, naw u cant compare me! guru was the man
Did you come to see my show or to the stupid nigga playoffs, killing you and killing me is the soliloquy of chaos…
R.I.P.
One Love