What's new

RIP Guru

U

ureapwhatusow

Guru, real name Keith Elam, passed away yesterday (April 19) after a year-long battle with the disease. The rapper, who formed Gang Starr in 1985, had suffered a heart attack on February 28 then slipped into a coma.

Shortly after his death producer Solar released a letter allegedly written by the rapper on his death bed, reports Allhiphop. In it Guru stated that he wanted Sonar to look after all elements of his character after death, and that his ex-Gang Starr partner DJ Premier should not be allowed to operate under the duo's name.

"I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world," the letter began. "I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options."

It continues: "Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody's feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organised, approved by Solar on behalf of myself and my son until he is of age to accept on his own."

Writing of DJ Premier in the letter, Guru added: "I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. I had nothing to do with him in life for over seven years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ."

Upon hearing the news, DJ Premier paid tribute to Guru on his blog, Djpremierblog.com. "Our warmest condolences to Guru's family and loved ones at this difficult time," he wrote.

Guru's actual family are yet to comment on his death, although last month his nephew Justin Nicholas-Elam Ruff posted a YouTube video saying that Solar was not letting them see him during his illness.

"Solar has completely cut us off. My family has no way of knowing what is going on with Guru's situation," he said in the video.
 

Trillion

Member
RIP Guru, I find this news about his relationship with Premier hard to believe they made such amazing music together. Sounds like the story of Jack Herer and his family problems before death all over again.
 

Noobian

Green is Gold
Veteran
RIP to Guru, one half of one of the best hip hop groups of ALL TIME, Gangstarr!!

Will be playing moment of truth while I'm smoking my 4/20 blunts today...
 

karmical

Active member
I was really hoping he was going to pull through, shame thoughts go out to his family and to all that were touched by his being, as their loss seems to be almost overshadowed by the bullshit Solar seems to be trying to start off.

check out his nephew via youtube from back in March when Guru had slipped into a comma

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I1aSzzTS1k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KCJscBWyHw

I hope one day the truth comes out, not that it really matters to me, as nothing will bring him back to life, don't really know why I would just want to know, as would others what the real issues are, besides being $$$ driven

rest in peace guru, one of the better MC's ever
 

Abja Roots

ABF(Always Be Flowering) - Founder
Veteran
Yeah. Heard about this early in the morning.

Life is too short. Even if we lived 200 years.

Much Respect To Guru. The music is an amazing legacy. Classic Tracks. Thank You

Been playing nothing but gangstarr and jazzmatazz all day.
 

BENJI

Between the Devil and the deep blue sea...
ICMag Donor
Veteran
Oh man i just got goosebumps reading that have his last album in my car cd player hasnt left the player for 6 months...

GURU - Gone but never forgotten you will live forever through your MUSIC Rest In Piece...
 
When people speak of "hip hop", (and we're talking about TRUE hip hop) there is absolutely no possible way on Gods green earth that you don't put Gangstarr in that conversation. Having a legend like Guru die breaks my heart, it's like if 'Common' died. We're truly losing our foundation of what hip hop really was.

Below is a picture of Guru and the lyrics from "Moment of Truth" which was always a great song that I listened to. I posted the YouTube link at the bottom of the lyrics. You're always going to get those great artists that make songs that touch your life and Guru was definitely one of them for me. These kinds of songs take me back ~


R.I.P GURU

guru.jpg


Sometimes You Gotta Dig Deep, When Problems Come Near

Don't Fear, Things Get Severe For Everybody Everywhere

Why Do Bad Things Happen, To Good People?

Seems That Life Is Just A Constant War Between Good And Evil

The Situation That I'm Facin, Is Mad Amazin

To Think Such Problems Can Arise From Minor Confrontations

Now I'm Contemplatin In My Bedroom Pacin

Dark Clouds Over My Head, My Heart's Racin

Suicide? Nah, I'm Not A Foolish Guy

Don't Even Feel Like Drinking, Or Even Gettin High

Cause All That's Gonna Do Really, Is Accelerate

The Anxieties That I Wish I Could Alleviate

But Wait, I've Been Through A Whole Lot Of Other Shit, Before

So I Oughta Be Able, To Withstand Some More

But I'm Sweatin Though, My Eyes Are Turnin Red And Yo

I'm Ready To Lose My Mind But Instead I Use My Mind

I Put Down The Knife, And Take The Bullets Out My Nine

My Only Crime, Was That I'm Too Damn Kind

And Now Some Scandalous Motherfuckers Wanna Take What's Mine

But They Can't Take The Respect, That I've Earned In My Lifetime

And You Know They'll Never Stop The Furious Force Of My Rhymes

So Like They Say, Every Dog Has It's Day

And Like They Say, God Works In A Mysterious Way

So I Pray, Remembering The Days Of My Youth

As I Prepare To Meet My Moment Of Truth......



(YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH3hrtp1T84)
 
Top