Gang Starr: Guru (left), DJ Premier (in the background)

One year ago, on April 19th, 2010 to be exact, the world waved goodbye to Guru, one half of Gang Starr and the brain behind the Jazzmatazz series. DJ Premier paid tribute to Keith Elam on Hot 97 (stream all two hours of it below) and Guru will be further eulogized at Le Poisson Rouge TONIGHT (4/21). Revive Da Live Big Band will pay tribute to the Gang Starr MC at the venue, and will have some help from ex-Gang Starr Foundation member Jeru the Damaja, as well as Masta Ace, Lord Finesse, DJ Logic and others. Tickets are still available.

Stream all of DJ Premier's Guru tribute below.

Continue reading "Remembering Guru (including at LPR tonight)"

"I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease" - Guru

"Legendary emcee and producer Keith "Guru" Elam passed away Monday (April 19, 2010) in a New York City hospital. Just over six weeks since the former Gang Starr front-man was publicly reported to have suffered a cardiac arrest and been hospitalized, he died due to complications from undisclosed cancer after having been diagnosed with Anoxia.

The controversy surrounding Guru's hospitalization, visitation rights, and recovery with present musical partner Solar led to limited information being released to press. What is known is that the 43 year-old Guru had suffered a heart attack, gone into a coma, and despite reports of strong recovery, ultimately lost his battle with what has now been revealed as cancer.

"The world has lost one of the best emcees and Hip Hop icons of all-time," said Guru's producer Solar in a statement confirming Guru's death. "Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it, but tragically, this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius." The producer referred to Guru as his "loyal best friend, partner and brother" additionally in the statement." [HipHopDX]

Guru knew he was dying and (supposedly) wrote a letter to fans. You can read that below...

Continue reading "Guru of Gang Starr & Jazzmatazz, RIP (left us with a letter) "

Guru's Statement:
"I am doing fine and I am recovering! I'm weak though. Solar is the only person who has the accurate info on my situation. Any info from anybody else is false! I appreciate your well wishes and all the love!"

i really hope that whoever has guru's ear isn't misrepresenting any information to him. im sure guru means the false rumors of his death ("any info....") and isn't trying to further fan the flames of his longtime feud with dj premiere. i'm sure he's not aware of the love and concern that not only primo has for him and his condition but basically ALL the gangstarr family has for him (us gangstarr fans too)

anywho. i hope they aint 60 before they decide to get it together. [Questlove]

Word started spreading that Guru went into a coma on Sunday night.

As reported last night,

Legendary rapper Guru, best known as a member of the rap duo Gangstarr, reportedly suffered a heart attack over the weekend and is currently in critical condition.

According to HipHopWired.com, the 43-year-old rapper (real name: Keith Elam) went into cardiac arrest sometime this weekend, and has since slipped into a coma.

Guru's former partner, DJ Premier, was set to call into DJ Eclipse's HipHopNation/Sirius show to speak on the rapper's condition. But, several reports indicate that he decided to hold off.

HipHopWired, however, says the call did take place, and Premier revealed that Guru is set to undergo surgery Monday afternoon (March 1). [BallerStatus]

Our prayers are with Guru today.

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Guru - "Who Got It On Lock" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Guru - "Jazzy Ways" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Guru - "State of Clarity" featuring Common (MP3)

DJ AM with the legendary DJ Premier and Stretch Armstrong

As we discussed before, this Saturday (4/18) marks the Vampire Weekend/Talib Kweli show at Columbia University. According to an email sent to alumni (thx J):

DATE: Saturday, April 18
TIME: 3:00 - 5:00PM
LOCATION: Columbia University's Low Plaza
RSVP: This is a ticketed event open to the first 300 Class of 2008 CAAL members who renew their annual CAAL membership by April 13th. Only ticket holders will be admitted through campus gates.

You can try your luck, or you can catch Talib at another appearance scheduled for that same day at the legendary Fat Beats in the West Village where Talib Kweli will join the mighty DJ Premier, Yearround records signees NYGz & Blaq Poet (ex-Screwball), as well as members of the Rock Steady Crew for day of "live performances and signings" in celebration of Record Store day from 1PM - 7PM. Word of advice, get there eaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarly. For a full list of Record Store Day events, check RecordStoreDay.com.

Speaking of DJ Premier, his (ex?) partner in Gang Starr, Guru has scheduled a show at SOB's on May 13th with Solar (not to be confused with Guru's other collaborator, MC Solaar) and The 7 Grand Players and featuring K-Born and Highpower. Tickets aren't on sale as of this posting, but are priced at $20/$22 day of the show. K-Born & Highpower is signed to Guru and Solar's label, 7 Grand Records. Guru's new album, Lost & Found, is due on May 19th.

Talib Kweli is also teaming back up with Mos Def for two Black Star shows at Nokia Theatre at the end of May. You can also catch him with Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal) at the Rock The Bells fest this summer.

No word on the Rock Steady Crew 32nd Anniversary show thus far, but we'll keep you informed.

Continue reading "Talib Kweli playing Columbia & Fat Beats, Guru playing SOBs "