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Guru (rapper)
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Guru (born Keith Edward Elam, July 17, 1966), is an American rapper of Trinidadian descent, and the lyrical half of the hip-hop group Gang Starr, together with DJ Premier. With his Jazzmatazz album series, he is also considered to be one of the pioneers of hiphop/jazz crossover. The name Guru is a backronym that stands for "Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal" and the less often used "God is Universal, he is the Ruler Universal".
ded in 1987, Gang Starr built a sizable following in the early 90's, releasing classic albums like, Step in the Arena (1991) and Daily Operation (1992).
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Encyclopedia
Guru (born Keith Edward Elam, July 17, 1966), is an American rapper of Trinidadian descent, and the lyrical half of the hip-hop group Gang Starr, together with DJ Premier. With his Jazzmatazz album series, he is also considered to be one of the pioneers of hiphop/jazz crossover. The name Guru is a backronym that stands for "Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal" and the less often used "God is Universal, he is the Ruler Universal".
Background
Founded in 1987, Gang Starr built a sizable following in the early 90's, releasing classic albums like, Step in the Arena (1991) and Daily Operation (1992). Guru's lyrical style is based on battle rhymes delivered smoothly, modestly, and with sly wit; he typically avoids using overwhelming charisma, focusing instead on his rhyming ability. Over the years he has even taken on younger rappers, including Jeru the Damaja, as proteges. He is credited with DJ Premier for executive producing Jeru's debut, The Sun Rises in the East (1994).
In 1993, he released his first solo album, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1. The album featured collaborations with Donald Byrd, N'Dea Davenport and Roy Ayers, while his second LP, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality, featured Ramsey Lewis, Branford Marsalis and Jamiroquai. The Jazzmatazz albums are commonly considered some of the best rap of the early 90s, Guru's reputation was also bolstered through the continued success of Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: Streetsoul (2000) and Baldhead Slick & Da Click (2001).
Moreover, recent Gang Starr albums have continued to garner Guru critical acclaim. Prominent Boston underground rapper Mr. Lif frequently cites Guru as a major stylistic influence; he appears as a guest with Lif on the Perceptionists' debut album, Black Dialogue (2005).
Besides Gang Starr, his Jazzmatazz and solo albums, Guru has collaborated with countless artists since the early 90s. Not only in hiphop, but also with artists from various genres such as pop, electronica/dance, acid jazz and even brass bands.
His "first proper solo album", in his own words, was Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures (2005), released with the help of producer and new backup MC Solar (who is not to be confused with MC Solaar from France). The album reached #1 on the college hip-hop charts, but was a failure with both fans and critics. It still managed to sell relatively well for an independent release.
Guru's latest project is the fourth installment in the Jazzmatazz series, entirely produced by Solar. It was released in early June 2007 and received good reviews and comments from fans.
Gang Starr's current status and future are unknown. Guru is currently living in Jersey City, NJ and frequents Newport Skates in downtown Jersey City.
- More on this topic is to be found in the main article for Gang Starr.
Producing, acting and label ownership
Guru has co-produced all Gang Starr tracks since 1989, and produced (or co-produced) much of his solo and Jazzmatazz work, and has also acted in several movie productions throughout the 90s and 00s.
Besides his Jazzmatazz projects, Guru also started a record label called "Ill Kid Records" in the mid 90s. With some help from DJ Premier, several 12" vinyl singles and the album Guru presents Ill Kid Records were released. Most of the material was by artists loosely connected to either Guru, DJ Premier or the Gang Starr Foundation. However, as of 2005 the label seems to be history, as he founded "7 Grand" with Solar, on which his recent solo singles and albums have been released.
Discography
- Gang Starr albums are listed in the group's main article.
Jazzmatazz Albums
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Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1
- Released: May 18, 1993
- Billboard 200 chart position: #94
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #15
- Singles: "Trust Me", "Loungin'", "No Time To Play" & "Le Bien, Le Mal"
| | Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New RealityReleased: July 18, 1995Billboard 200 chart position: #71R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #16Singles: "Watch What You Say" & "Livin' In This World" | | Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: StreetsoulReleased: September 26, 2000Billboard 200 chart position: #32R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #8UK chart position: #74Singles: "Keep Your Worries", "Lift Your Fist", "Certified" & "Supa Love" | | Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip-Hop Jazz Messenger: Back To The FutureReleased: June 5, 2007Billboard 200 chart position: N/AR&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #45Singles: "State Of Clarity" |
Label Compilation (Various Artists)
| Album information |
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Guru Presents Ill Kid Records
- Released: 1995
- Billboard 200 chart position: -
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: -
- Singles: -
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Baldhead Slick All Star Album
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Baldhead Slick & Da Click
- Released: September 25, 2001
- Billboard 200 chart position: #122
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #22
- Singles: "Where's Our Money?!/In Here" & "Cry/Pimp Shit"
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Solo Album
| Album information |
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Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures
- Released: May 10, 2005
- Billboard 200 chart position: -
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #54
- Singles: "Cave In", "Step In The Arena 2" & "Hood Dreamin"
| | Guru 8.0: Lost And FoundReleased: March, 2009Billboard 200 chart position: -R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: -Singles: TBA |
Mixtapes
Guru has appeared on various mixtapes throughout his career, and has released two of those on his own: "The Official Guru Gang Starr Mixtape" (2004, CD, with various freestyles over well-known beats) and "Back To The Future" (2007, CD, in support of Jazzmatazz Vol. 4, with b-sides and remixes)...
Filmography
External links
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