Gang Starr
Encyclopedia
Gang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop
duo
that consisted of the late MC Guru
and DJ/producer DJ Premier
. Their style combined elements of New York
jazz
and hip hop
.
, 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). 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
. DJ Premier recently stated that there is a posthoumous Gang Starr CD/DVD project in the works, most likely to be released in 2012.
, 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.
, went into a coma, and died on April 19, 2010. 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." The validity of the statement was later questioned by Guru's family and many of his contemporaries within the Hip-Hop culture.
East Coast hip hop
East Coast hip hop is a regional subgenre of hip hop music that originated in New York City, USA during the 1970s. Hip hop is recognized to have originated and evolved first in the East Coast...
duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
that consisted of the late MC Guru
Guru (rapper)
Keith Edward Elam , better known by his stage name Guru, was an American emcee and member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts...
and DJ/producer DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
. Their style combined elements of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
.
Background
The group was founded by Keith Elam in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
in 1985 (then known as Keithy E. The Guru) and DJ 1,2 B-Down (also known as Mike Dee) with various producers
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, such as Donald D
Donald D
Donald D is a rapper originally from North Carolina. In New York, he started his career as a rapper, as part of The B-Boys, working with Afrika Islam and Grandmaster Flash. He relocated to Los Angeles as a member of Ice T's Rhyme Syndicate and started making records with old school luminaries such...
, J.V. Johnson or DJ Mark the 45 King
DJ Mark the 45 King
DJ Mark the 45 King , also known as the 45 King, started DJing in New Jersey in the mid-1980s. The nickname "the 45 King" comes from his ability to make beats using obscure 45 RPM records.-Career:...
helping out. In 1987 and 1988, Gang Starr released three 12" vinyl singles on the Wild Pitch
Wild Pitch Records
Wild Pitch Records was a hip hop record label started in the mid 1980s by Stuart Fine and was eventually distributed by EMI and eventually acquired by Jay Faires, who tried to reactivate it as part of his short-lived JCOR Entertainment label...
label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
.
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
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
(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
No More Mr. Nice Guy (Gang Starr album)
No More Mr. Nice Guy is the debut album by hip hop duo Gang Starr, which was released in 1989 . Although it was regarded as a critical success amid the first wave of alternative hip hop acts such as Jungle Brothers and De La Soul. No More Mr. Nice Guy remains somewhat overshadowed by the highly...
(1989). During their career Gang Starr helped pioneer the New York City hardcore hip hop
Hardcore hip hop
Hardcore hip hop, also referred to as hardcore rap, is a sub-genre of hip hop music that developed through the East Coast hip hop scene in the 1980s. Pioneered by such artists as Schoolly D, Spoonie Gee, Boogie Down Productions, and Kool G Rap, it is generally characterized by anger, aggression and...
sound. The entire Gang Starr's catalog, especially Step in the Arena
Step in the Arena
Step In the Arena is the second studio album by hip hop duo Gang Starr, released on January 15 1991. Initially, the album was rated 3.5 out of 5 mics in The Source magazine...
(1990), Daily Operation
Daily Operation
Daily Operation is a 1992 album by Gang Starr. The album represents the gritty sound of early 1990s Brooklyn hip-hop.Guru rhymes on a variety of subjects, from the hypocrisy of the government, pro-Black rights and anti-prejudice, to his intellectual depth on "2 Deep," to his penchant for smoking...
(1992), Hard to Earn
Hard to Earn
Hard to Earn is the fourth album from the hip hop duo Gang Starr. It was released in March of 1994 and featured the singles "Mass Appeal", "DWYCK" and "Code of the Streets." Musically the album is constructed around a harder, more stripped-down sound that is distinctively less melodic than the...
(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
8 Mile (film)
8 Mile is a 2002 American hip-hop drama film written by Scott Silver, directed by Curtis Hanson, and starring Eminem, Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy, and Kim Basinger....
. Their track "Jazz Thing" was featured on the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
's film Mo' Better Blues
Mo' Better Blues
Mo' Better Blues is a 1990 drama film starring Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, and Spike Lee, who also directed. It follows a period in the life of a fictional jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam as a series of bad decisions result in his jeopardizing both his relationships and his playing career...
. DJ Premier recently stated that there is a posthoumous Gang Starr CD/DVD project in the works, most likely to be released in 2012.
Gang Starr Foundation
Both members of Gang Starr had roots in the New York hip hop scene, despite hailing from BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
(Guru) and Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
(DJ Premier), and have each worked with several artists.
The Gang Starr Foundation
Gang Starr Foundation
Gang Starr Foundation is a collective of east coast rappers led by the hip hop group Gang Starr. It was founded by The Vikar and established in 1993.-Current members:*Afu-Ra*Big Shug*Freddie Foxxx*Vic BlackGang Starr...
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.
Death of Guru
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. In February 2010, Guru suffered a heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
, went into a coma, and died on April 19, 2010. 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." The validity of the statement was later questioned by Guru's family and many of his contemporaries within the Hip-Hop culture.
Discography
- No More Mr. Nice GuyNo More Mr. Nice Guy (Gang Starr album)No More Mr. Nice Guy is the debut album by hip hop duo Gang Starr, which was released in 1989 . Although it was regarded as a critical success amid the first wave of alternative hip hop acts such as Jungle Brothers and De La Soul. No More Mr. Nice Guy remains somewhat overshadowed by the highly...
(1989) - Step In the ArenaStep in the ArenaStep In the Arena is the second studio album by hip hop duo Gang Starr, released on January 15 1991. Initially, the album was rated 3.5 out of 5 mics in The Source magazine...
(1991) - Daily OperationDaily OperationDaily Operation is a 1992 album by Gang Starr. The album represents the gritty sound of early 1990s Brooklyn hip-hop.Guru rhymes on a variety of subjects, from the hypocrisy of the government, pro-Black rights and anti-prejudice, to his intellectual depth on "2 Deep," to his penchant for smoking...
(1992) - Hard to EarnHard to EarnHard to Earn is the fourth album from the hip hop duo Gang Starr. It was released in March of 1994 and featured the singles "Mass Appeal", "DWYCK" and "Code of the Streets." Musically the album is constructed around a harder, more stripped-down sound that is distinctively less melodic than the...
(1994) - Moment of Truth (1998)
- The OwnerzThe OwnerzThe Ownerz is the sixth and final studio album by the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, recorded two years before the duo broke up and seven years before Guru's death...
(2003)
External links
- Year Round Records DJ Premier's label site
- "Jazz and Hip-Hop" by Jared Pauley, (Jazz.com)