Keith Edward Elam, better known by his stage name Guru, was an American rapper, record producer and actor. He was a member of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts.
Gang Starr was an American hip hop duo, consisting of Houston-born record producer DJ Premier and Boston, Massachusetts rapper Guru.
Christopher Edward Martin, known professionally as DJ Premier, is an American record producer and DJ. He has been frequently lauded as one of hip hop's greatest producers by publications such as Vibe. He formed the hip hop duo Gang Starr—alongside American rapper Guru—in 1983, with whom he has released seven albums. He formed another hip hop duo, PRhyme–with American rapper Royce da 5'9"—in 2014, with whom he has released two albums.
Ryan Daniel Montgomery, known professionally as Royce da 5'9", is an American rapper. Best known for his association with fellow Detroit rapper Eminem, they became acquainted in 1997 and formed the hip hop duo, Bad Meets Evil the following year. Their 2011 single, "Lighters" peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and preceded the release of their debut extended play (EP), Hell: The Sequel (2011). The song and its parent EP, which debuted atop the Billboard 200, have yielded Montgomery's furthest commercial success.
Kendrick Jeru Davis, known as Jeru the Damaja, is an American rapper and record producer. He is known for his 1993 single "Come Clean" from his debut album, The Sun Rises in the East, ranked as one of the 100 greatest hip-hop albums of all time by the editors of About.com. He has worked extensively with Guru and DJ Premier of Gang Starr, whom he has known since he was in high school.
James Campbell, better known by his stage names Freddie Foxxx and Bumpy Knuckles, is an American rapper and record producer from Long Island, New York.
The following list contains songs produced, co-produced or remixed by hip-hop producer DJ Premier.
Showbiz and A.G. is an American hip hop duo from The Bronx borough of New York City, composed of record producer Rodney "Showbiz" Lemay and rapper Andre "A.G." Barnes. The duo formed soon after their debut on the song "Back to Back Rhyming" from Lord Finesse's Funky Technician album and joined the hip hop collective D.I.T.C. along with Lord Finesse, Diamond D, Fat Joe, O.C., Buckwild and Big L.
Step in the Arena is the second studio album by hip hop duo Gang Starr, printed as a 1990 release, and commercially released on January 15, 1991. In 2007, it was named the greatest hip hop album of all time by IGN. HipHopDX called it "the album that cemented Gang Starr as a timeless tag team."
"N.Y. State of Mind" is a song by hip hop recording artist Nas from his debut studio album Illmatic (1994). The song's production was handled by DJ Premier who sampled two jazz songs: "Mind Rain" by Joe Chambers and "Flight Time" by Donald Byrd. Premier additionally scratched up vocal samples from Eric B. & Rakim's "Mahogany" for the song's hook. Nas raps two verses on the song in which he talks about his rapping talent and describes the dangerous environment that is the city of New York over a drum break sample of "N.T." by Kool & the Gang. Nas has attributed the song "Streets of New York" by Kool G Rap as one of the song's primary influences. A sequel to "N.Y. State of Mind" can be found on Nas' 1999 album I Am.... On January 28, 2019, it was certified gold by the RIAA.
Aaron Ocosice Phillip, better known by his stage name Afu-Ra, is an American underground rapper. A member of the Gang Starr Foundation, he has worked closely with its members, including Gang Starr, Jeru the Damaja, Big Shug and Group Home.
Body of the Life Force is the debut studio album by American rapper Afu-Ra. Originally due to be released on Gee Street Records, it was released on October 10, 2000, via Koch Records. The recording sessions took place at D&D Studios, in New York. The production was handled by from DJ Premier, DJ Roach, 5 Boro Deep, Da Beatminerz, DJ Muggs, Joe Quinde, Mike Rone, P. King, and True Master. It features guest appearances from GZA, Hannibal Stax, Jahdan Blakkamoore, Krumbsnatcha, Ky-Mani Marley, Masta Killa, M.O.P., and Smif-N-Wessun.
Gang Starr Foundation is a collective of East Coast hip-hop artists led by the hip hop group Gang Starr. It was co-founded by Boston legend Big Shug. It was established in 1993.
Life Force Radio is the second studio album by American rapper Afu-Ra. It was released on May 21, 2002 via Koch Records. The album's audio production was handled by Arabian Knight, Ayatollah, Curt Cazal, Domingo, Easy Mo Bee, Eric S, Kenny Muhammad The Human Orchestra, Needlz, True Master, Woogie, and DJ Premier, who also served as executive producer. It featured guest appearances from Alana Da Fonseca, Big Daddy Kane, Don Parmazhane, GangStarr, Jahdan Blakkamoore, Kenny Muhammad The Human Orchestra, M.O.P., Quinnes Parker, RZA, Teena Marie, The Blob, and A-Sun & Respect from Perverted Monks.
Soulshine is the fifth studio album by French DJ and recording artist DJ Cam, released in 2002.
Cary Guy, better known as Big Shug, is an American rapper from Boston, Massachusetts, a co-founder of Gang Starr and a member of the Gang Starr Foundation collective.
"Devil's Pie" is a song by American R&B and neo soul musician D'Angelo, released October 31, 1998, on Virgin Records. It was issued as a promotional single for his second studio album, 2000's Voodoo. The song was composed by D'Angelo and hip hop producer DJ Premier of the group Gang Starr. "Devil's Pie" served as a departure for D'Angelo from the urban contemporary style of his previous commercially successful singles to the more experimental, "jam"-like sound that is predominant on Voodoo, as well as the use of sampling in his music. The song appeared on the soundtrack to the 1998 film Belly. DJ Premier originally made the track for Canibus but later offered it to D'Angelo after Canibus rejected the song.
Major Key is the ninth studio album by American disc jockey and record producer DJ Khaled. It was released on July 29, 2016, by We the Best Music Group and Epic Records. The album features guest appearances from Future, Big Sean, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Drake, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Betty Wright, J. Cole, Bryson Tiller, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, August Alsina, Jeremih, Kodak Black, Jeezy, French Montana, YG, Yo Gotti, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Jadakiss, Fabolous, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Kent Jones, Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Meghan Trainor, Wiz Khalifa, Wale and Mavado.
This Is Now!!! is the third studio album by American rapper Craig G. It was released on May 20, 2003 via D&D Records. The album's audio production was handled by the Alchemist, Arabian Knight, Caspa, Curt Cazal, Da Beatminerz, DJ Premier, DJ Sage, Domingo, Kenny Muhammad the Human Orchestra, Large Professor, Marley Marl, Nottz, Rockwilder, and Will Pack, with executive production provided by David Lotwin and Douglas Grama. It featured guest appearances from Afu-Ra, Kenny Muhammad the Human Orchestra, Krumbsnatcha, Large Professor, Mr. Cheeks, and Will Pack. The album debuted at number 99 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It spawned four singles: "Say What You Want", "Let's Get Up", "Stomped"/"Make You Say Yes", "Now That's What's Up"/"Ready Set Begin", but none of them charted.
