Gang Starr
| 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, Reks |
| Past members | |
| 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]
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[edit] Background
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] In 1990 the group was signed to the Chrysalis record label by then A&R director Duff Marlowe, a former DJ and Los Angeles Times rap music critic. The London-based label offered Guru and Premier unlimited artistic license and major-label distribution worldwide, a platform that the group used to become one of the most influential hip hop acts of that decade. 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]
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.[3]
DJ Premier recently stated that there is a posthoumous Gang Starr CD/DVD project in the works, most likely to be released in 2012.[4]
[edit] Death of Guru
In February 2010, Guru suffered a heart attack, went into a coma, and died on April 19, 2010. Solar, a long-time collaborator of the artist, said Guru chose not to go public with the diagnosis of myeloma that was made in 2009.[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]
[edit] Gang Starr Foundation
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.
[edit] Gang Starr Foundation's Krumb Snatcha Announces Retirement From Hip Hop
In a post on his Facebook page (via DJ Premier Blog), the Gang Starr Foundation rapper Krumb Snapper, whose real name is Demetrius Gibbs, wrote: "Unfortunately due to unfortunate circumstances I have decided to no longer be a part of certain elements and or musical endeavors. As of this day I no longer am affiliated with any label and/or management… I apologize to friends and fans but changing and putting self first is in my best interest. There will be no next album from me… I have decided to honor my commitment to the youth. Thank you all… God bless!!! -Demetrius Gibbs aka Krumb Snatcha" -Hip hop dx posted January 13, 2012 at 12:39PM MST
The Guru affiliate released his first single in 1996, and made a standout guest appearance on Gang Starr's "Make 'Em Pay" off of 1998's Moment of Truth. He most recently released The Resurrection of Tha Golden Wolf last fall.
[edit] Discography
- No More Mr. Nice Guy (1989)
- Step In the Arena (1991)
- Daily Operation (1992)
- Hard to Earn (1994)
- Moment of Truth (1998)
- Full Clip CD2 (1998)
- Full Clip CD1 (1999)
- The Ownerz (2003)
[edit] References
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b c Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 371. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
- ^ "AllHipHop.com : Features". Web.archive.org. 2006-06-13. Archived from the original on 2006-06-13. http://web.archive.org/web/20060613001247/http://www.allhiphop.com/features/?ID=1426. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
- ^ DJ Premier: New Gang Starr Album And DVD In The Works. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ "Rapper Guru dies after battle with cancer". cnn.com. 2010-04-20. http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Music/04/20/rapper.guru.dies/index.html. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
- ^ "New York rap star Guru dies at 43". BBC News. 2010-04-20. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8633175.stm.
- ^ "Gang Starr rapper Guru's family question 'death bed letter' | News". Nme.Com. http://www.nme.com/news/gang-starr/50781. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
[edit] External links
- Year Round Records DJ Premier's label site
- "Jazz and Hip-Hop" by Jared Pauley, (Jazz.com)
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