| Gang Starr | |
|---|---|
DJ Premier (left) and Guru (right) |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Genres | East Coast hip hop, jazz rap, alternative hip hop |
| Years active | 1985–2004 |
| Labels | Wild Pitch Records, Chrysalis Records, Virgin |
| Associated acts | Gang Starr Foundation, M.O.P., Harlem 6, Ed O.G., Termanology, Rakim, Bahamadia, Afu-Ra, Reks |
| Past members | |
| Damo D-Ski DJ 1, 2 B-Down Guru(deceased) DJ Premier |
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Gang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru (1961-2010[1]) and DJ/producer DJ Premier.[2] Their style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop.
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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).[2] 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.[2] DJ Premier recently stated that there is a posthoumous Gang Starr CD/DVD project in the works, most likely to be released in 2012.[3]
Both members of Gang Starr had roots in the New York hip hop scene, despite hailing from Boston, Massachusetts (Guru) and Houston, Texas (DJ Premier), and have each worked with several artists.
The Gang Starr Foundation was a loose collective of various people who have worked closely with the group, through either Guru's now defunct Ill Kid label, DJ Premier's production work or the management company that Gang Starr was represented by, Empire Management. The founding member was Vikar. Another member of the legendary Gang Starr Foundation is Big Shug, alongside rappers like Afu-Ra, Jeru the Damaja, and Group Home.
Guru was involved in a European Gang Starr tour in 2003-04 with an alternate DJ after DJ Premier's return to the United States. In 2006, Guru indicated in several interviews that Gang Starr had reached its end.[4] In February 2010, Guru suffered a heart attack, went into a coma, and died on April 19, 2010.[5] According to a statement released by his PR company upon his death, Guru appeared to have fallen out with DJ Premier seven years prior to his death and did "not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name, likeness, events, tributes, etc."[6] The validity of the statement was later questioned by Guru's family and many of his contemporaries within the Hip-Hop culture.[7]
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