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. For the entirety of their association, they were based in Brooklyn, New York. Gang Starr was at its height from 1989 to 2003, and are considered one of the best MC-and-producer duos in hip hop history. They are recognized for being one of the pioneers of jazz rap. Some of their top hits include "Mass Appeal", "Take It Personal", "Moment of Truth", "Full Clip" and "Above The Clouds".
Jazzmatazz, Volume 1: An Experimental Fusion of Hip-Hop and Jazz, is the debut solo studio album by American hip hop recording artist Guru. It was released on May 18, 1993, by Chrysalis Records. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York. Production was handled by Guru himself, who also served as executive producer together with Duff Marlowe and Patrick Moxey.
Christopher Edward Martin, known professionally as DJ Premier, is an American record producer and DJ. He is considered one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time. He was half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr—alongside the rapper Guru—and presently forms half of the hip hop duo PRhyme, together with Royce da 5'9".
Daily Operation is the third studio album by American hip hop duo Gang Starr. It was released by Chrysalis Records on May 5, 1992. It peaked at number 65 on the Billboard 200 chart.
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."
Hard to Earn is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo Gang Starr. It was released on March 8, 1994, by Chrysalis and EMI Records in North America. The album featured the singles "Dwyck", "Mass Appeal", and "Code of the Streets". Guest appearances on the album include Group Home, Jeru the Damaja, and Big Shug. At the time, all were part of the Gang Starr Foundation, which made the album a stepping-stone for future DJ Premier-helmed projects by Group Home and Jeru. Hard to Earn received acclaim and commercial success upon release.
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.
The Ownerz is the sixth studio album by the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, and the last released during Guru's lifetime. It was released in June 24, 2003, by Virgin. It was well-received critically and boasts four singles, "Skills", "Rite Where U Stand", "Nice Girl, Wrong Place", and "Same Team, No Games".
Baldhead Slick & da Click is the fourth solo studio album by American hip hop musician Guru. It was released on September 25, 2001 via Ill Kid/Landspeed Records, marking Guru's first solo recording outside his Jazzmatazz series. Production was handled by Alchemist, Adam West, Agallah, Ayatollah, Biggest Gord, Divine, DJ Roach, DJ Spinna, DJ Yutaka, E-Boogie, Gang Starr, G-Flexx, J-Love, Pete Rock, P.F. Cuttin', Smitty, Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind and The Committee. It features guest appearances from Big Shug, Kaeson, Kreem.com, Lae D-Trigga, Mendoughza, New Child, Black Jesus, Bless, Blick Street, Don Parmazhane, Ed O.G., Gold D, Hannibal Stax, Hussein Fatal, Ice-T, James Gotti, Kapital Gainz, Killa Kaine, Killah Priest, Krumbsnatcha, Mr. Moe, Pete Powers, Smitty, Squala Orphan, Suspectz, Tef, Timbo King and Treach. The album peaked at number 122 on the Billboard 200, number 22 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, number 5 on the Independent Albums and topped the Heatseekers Albums in the United States.
Metropolis Gold is the only album by Brooklyn hip hop duo All City, released on November 3, 1998 by MCA Records. The album featured an all-star production lineup, including many prominent New York City producers such as DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Rockwilder, Fredro Starr, DJ Clark Kent, Hitmen member Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence, and EZ Elpee. It features guest appearances from rappers Native Souls and Onyx, which served as executive producers on the album.
Theater of the Mind is the seventh studio album by American hip hop recording artist Ludacris. It was released in the UK on November 21, 2008 and in the US on November 24, 2008 and on other release dates throughout the world, through Disturbing tha Peace and Def Jam South. Ludacris calls the album "theatrical".
"Mass Appeal" is a song by American hip hop group Gang Starr, released on February 8, 1994 as the second single from their fourth studio album Hard to Earn. The song reached #67 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #42 on the Billboard R&B chart. It was also featured on the soundtrack of the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4.
American hip hop duo Gang Starr have released seven studio albums, two compilation albums, thirty-one singles, one promotional single and nine music videos.
"Tapout" is a song released by American hip hop group Rich Gang featuring performances by Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj and American rappers Lil Wayne, Mack Maine, Future, and Rich Gang founder Birdman. Produced by Southside & TM88 with co-production and uncredited vocals by Detail, the song is the lead single of the eponymous YMCMB compilation album, premiering on March 12, 2013 and becoming available for digital download on March 19. The song has since peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Or Nah" is a song by American singer Ty Dolla $ign featuring American rapper Wiz Khalifa and American record producer DJ Mustard. Written alongside Lemmie Crockem and Mike Free, the latter of whom produced the song with DJ Mustard, the song was released on January 7, 2014 as the second single from the former's debut EP Beach House EP. The song has since peaked at number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. On April 29, 2014, it officially impacted rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States. The song samples the signature "bed squeaking" from the 2004 hit single "Some Cut".
"Bra" is a song by British funk band Cymande from their self-titled debut studio album Cymande. Written by the group's members Patrick Patterson and Steve Scipio, it was recorded at De Lane Lea Studios in London, produced by John Schroeder, and released as a 7-inch single first in 1972 and then through Janus Records in 1973. Released as the second single from the album, the song peaked at No. 51 on the Soul Singles Billboard chart in the United States.
One of the Best Yet is the seventh and final studio album by American hip hop duo Gang Starr, released on November 1, 2019. The album features previously unreleased and posthumous vocals from Guru, who died nine years prior to the album's release. The album features guest appearances from J. Cole, Royce da 5'9", Talib Kweli, M.O.P., and Q-Tip, among others.
"Dwyck" is a song by American hip hop duo Gang Starr, released in 1992 as the lead single from their fourth studio album Hard to Earn (1994). It features American hip hop duo Nice & Smooth. The song samples "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss, "Funky for You" and "No Bones in Ice Cream" by Nice & Smooth, and "Step in the Arena" by Gang Starr.
"Code of the Streets" is a song by American hip hop duo Gang Starr from their fourth studio album Hard to Earn (1994). It was released as the third single from the album on May 17, 1994. It samples "Little Green Apples" by Monk Higgins, "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss and "Word From Our Sponsor" by Boogie Down Productions.
