Guru (rapper)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (May 2009)

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (March 2009)

Guru
Background information
Born	July 17, 1966 (age 43)
Origin	Roxbury, Massachusetts
Genres	Hip Hop, Jazz
Occupations	Rapper, Producer
Years active	1987–present
Labels	Wild Pitch Records (1987–1990) Virgin Records (1991–2003) Ill Kid Records (1995-2005) 7 Grand (2003–?)
Associated acts	DJ Premier, Gangstarr, Gangstarr Foundation, Krumbsnatcha, Mr. Lif, MC Solaar, M.O.P., Solar

Guru (born Keith Edward Elam, July 17, 1966 in the Boston neighborhood of Roxbury) ^{[note 1]} is an American rapper and former member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr. He is known for delivering complex lyrics in a unique monotone style. Members of the hip-hop community^[specify] consider him to be one of the pioneers of hiphop/jazz crossover. The name Guru is a backronym that stands for "Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal" and the less often used "God is Universal, he is the Ruler Universal".

Contents 1 Background 2 Discography 2.1 Jazzmatazz Albums 2.2 Label Compilation (Various Artists) 2.3 Baldhead Slick All Star Album 2.4 Solo Albums 3 Filmography 4 Notes 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Background

Founded in 1987, Gang Starr built a sizable following in the early 90's, releasing classic albums like Step in the Arena (1991) and Daily Operation (1992). Guru's lyrical style is based on battle rhymes delivered smoothly, modestly, and with sly wit; he typically avoids using overwhelming charisma, focusing instead on his rhyming ability, which developed into his trademark monotone style. Over the years he has even taken on younger rappers, including Jeru the Damaja, as proteges. He is credited with DJ Premier for executive producing Jeru's debut, The Sun Rises in the East (1994).

In 1993, he released his first solo album, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1. The album featured collaborations with Donald Byrd, N'Dea Davenport and Roy Ayers, while his second LP, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality, featured Ramsey Lewis, Branford Marsalis and Jamiroquai. The Jazzmatazz albums are commonly considered some of the best rap of the early 90s, Guru's reputation was also bolstered through the continued success of Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: Streetsoul (2000) and Baldhead Slick & Da Click (2001).

Moreover, recent Gang Starr albums have continued to garner Guru critical acclaim. Prominent Boston underground rapper Mr. Lif frequently cites Guru as a major stylistic influence; he appears as a guest with Lif on the Perceptionists' debut album, Black Dialogue (2005).

Besides Gang Starr, his Jazzmatazz and solo albums, Guru has collaborated with countless artists since the early 90s. Not only in hiphop, but also with artists from various genres such as pop, electronica/dance, acid jazz and even brass bands.

His "first proper solo album", in his own words, was Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures (2005), released with the help of producer and new backup MC Solar (who is not to be confused with MC Solaar from France). The album reached #1 on the college hip-hop charts, but was a failure with both fans and critics. It still managed to sell relatively well for an independent release.

Guru's latest project is the fourth installment in the Jazzmatazz series, entirely produced by Solar. It was released in early June 2007. May 19, 2008 Guru and Solar released Guru 8.0: Lost And Found. All the projects produced by Solar were met with mixed but generally negative reviews by Critics and fans, yet Guru states he will not work with DJ Premier again.^[1]

Gang Starr's current status and future are unknown. Guru is currently living in Jersey City, NJ and frequents Newport Skates in downtown Jersey City.

In 2007 Guru was ranked at 45 for the Top 50 MCs of our time: 1987-2007^[2]

More on this topic is to be found in the main article for Gang Starr.

[edit] Discography

Gang Starr albums are listed in the group's main article.

[edit] Jazzmatazz Albums

Album information
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 Released: May 18, 1993 Billboard 200 chart position: #94 UK chart position: #58 R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #15 Singles: "Trust Me", "Loungin'", "No Time To Play" & "Le Bien, Le Mal"
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality Released: July 18, 1995 Billboard 200 chart position: #71 UK chart position: #12 R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #16 Singles: "Watch What You Say" & "Livin' In This World"
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: Streetsoul Released: September 26, 2000 Billboard 200 chart position: #32 UK chart position: #74 R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #8 UK chart position: #74 Singles: "Keep Your Worries", "Lift Your Fist", "Certified" & "Supa Love"
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip-Hop Jazz Messenger: Back To The Future Released: June 5, 2007 Billboard 200 chart position: N/A R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #45 Singles: "State Of Clarity"

[edit] Label Compilation (Various Artists)

Album information
Guru Presents Ill Kid Records Released: 1995 Billboard 200 chart position: - R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: - Singles: -

[edit] Baldhead Slick All Star Album

Album information
Baldhead Slick & Da Click Released: September 25, 2001 Billboard 200 chart position: #122 R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #22 Singles: "Where's Our Money?!/In Here" & "Cry/Pimp Shit"

[edit] Solo Albums

Album information
Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures Released: May 10, 2005 Billboard 200 chart position: - R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #54 Singles: "Cave In", "Step In The Arena 2" & "Hood Dreamin"
Guru 8.0: Lost and Found Released: May 19, 2009 Billboard 200 chart position: - R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: - Singles: "Divine Rule", "Fastlane", "Ride", "After Time & "No Gimmick Sh*t"

Slightly Stoopid did a collaboration with Guru on their 2006 album Chronchitis. The song is called The Otherside.

[edit] Filmography

• Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories 2005 as 8-Ball
• Kung Faux 2003 as Voice Over/Various
• Urban Massacre 2002 as Cereal Killah
• Grand Theft Auto III 2001 as 8-Ball
• 3 A.M. 2001 as Hook-Off
• Train Ride 2000 as Jay
• The Substitute 2: School's Out 1998 as Little B.
• Who's the Man? 1993 as Martin Lorenzo

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (August 2009)

1. ^ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8028/title.guru-and-dj-solar-slated-to-release-album-in-09
2. ^ http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Emcees_2.htm

This article includes a list of references or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (March 2009)

[edit] External links

• Guru (rapper) at MySpace
• Guru & Solar interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' June 2009
• Guru Waxpoetics Interview
• guru7grand.net 7 Grand Records website
• Official Guru's Jazzmatazz site
• Guru at the Internet Movie Database
• Guru Jazzmatazz interview
• Guru and Solar Interview with ArtOfRhyme.com
• Guru Interview with Britishhiphop.co.uk
• Guru and Solar Interview with http://www.gowherehiphop.com 02.20.08
• Guru Interview with http://www.style43.com

v • d • e Gang Starr Foundation Groups Gang Starr • Group Home Rappers Afu-Ra • Bahamadia • Big Shug • DJ Premier • Guru • Freddie Foxxx • Jeru the Damaja Gang Starr albums No More Mr. Nice Guy • Step in the Arena • Daily Operation • Hard to Earn • Moment of Truth • The Ownerz Related DJ Premier discography • True Master • Reks • Ed O.G. • M.O.P.