BBC Radio 1Xtra’s: The Story of Guru
Click here to listen to the audio documentary
Keith Edward Elam was known to the world as Guru – Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal. He made his name as one half of the legendary hip-hop duo Gang Starr and went on to reinvent the genre by fusing jazz with hip-hop in his widely acclaimed Jazzmatazz project.
But this dazzling musical success is just part of his story…a story that ended in tragedy and controversy.
In a unique programme, BBC Radio 1Xtra exclusively hears from Guru’s family, his Gang Starr partner DJ Premier, the stars who worked with him, and Solar, his last business partner, who would be at the centre of the claims and counter-claims surrounding the rapper’s untimely death.
The story starts in Boston and Guru’s father, brother and sister help tell of his growing up there as the son of a judge. Original Gang Starr member Big Shug explains how he taught this well-educated, middle-class kid to rap and of Guru’s move down the coast to the birthplace of hip-hop, New York.
It was in New York that Guru would join forces with DJ Premier to form the now celebrated final line up of Gang Starr. Side-by-side for almost 15 years and six albums, together they pioneered jazz sampling hip-hop, working with Jeru the Damaja, Snoop Dogg, Nice’n’Smooth, Jadakiss, MOP, Big L and Inspectah Deck of Wu Tang. Later Guru’s solo project, the Jazzmatazz series, brought together jazz musicians and rappers including Donald Byrd, Herbie Hancock, Roy Ayers, Erykah Badu, The Roots, Common, Kool Keith, Angie Stone and Slum Village.
DJ Premier, rapper Common and Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s Trevor Nelson will all talk about working with Guru, giving listeners an insight into his rhymes, the music, the man and his character. Radio 1Xtra’s DJ Semtex and Benji B will study Guru’s lyrics, style and delivery, looking back at when they first encountered Gang Starr, the group’s early impact on hip-hop, and how Guru’s Jazzmatazz series would cement his place as a musical innovator.
It was while moving back and forth between Gang Starr and Jazzmatazz projects that Guru would first meet the producer Solar. Although Gang Starr never officially split, Guru announced his next musical project would see him work with Solar and they went on set up their own label. It is from this point that The Story of Guru becomes disputed.
In this programme we’ll explore how DJ Premier and members of his family began to feel distanced from Guru, struggling to maintain communication with him. Even so, Guru was busy with Solar, making music and playing live. But when Guru was diagnosed with cancer, the real problems started.
While Guru lay in hospital his family claimed that Solar banned them and long-term friend DJ Premier from visiting him. Guru’s nephew posted a very public video on YouTube entitled “Guru. The True Story behind hospital and coma” in which he asked people to help him and his family gain access to his uncle, referring to Solar as “manipulative.” However, Solar says he was doing what Guru told him to and so it was Guru who chose who he wanted to visit him.
The situation peaked when Guru died on 19th April, 2010. Solar released a statement, which he says was written by Guru himself, which shocked family, friends and fans alike. Not only did it ask Solar’s family to look after Guru’s son, but it also requested his “ex-DJ” Premier to dissociate himself from Guru’s name. Many believe this letter to have been penned by Solar himself, it caused outrage among many who knew Guru, and in this programme we’ll hear both sides of the story.
Irrespective of the drama, or rights and wrongs of what happened in those final days, no one can dispute that Guru was an incredible artist. He left fans with ten albums to enjoy, including massive hits like ‘Full Clip’, ‘Just To Get A Rep’, ‘Moment of Truth’ and more.
This programme will celebrate the music Guru left behind and try to solve some of the mystery surrounding his untimely death.
Lil Fame & Termanology – Play Dirty (Feat. Busta Rhymes & Styles P) CDQ
Here you have the CDQ version of the most hyped joint on Lil Fame & Termanology’s upcoming collabo album “Fizzyology”. Damn, what a gem!! Produced by the one and only DJ Premier…
Lil Fame & Termanology – Play Dirty (Feat. Busta Rhymes & Styles P) CDQ
You can listen to the full album on the official soundcloud page here! In stores November 6th, 2012.
Live From HeadQCourterz (10/05/2012)
Filled in by DJ Eclipse
Shout Out to Wicked!
Showbiz & A.G. – All Time Greats (Feat. Party Arty) CDQ
Here’s a new track of Show & AG’s upcoming album “Mugshot Music”. Instant buy for the real hip hop people, this track “All Time Greats” features the late Party Arty. Can’t get any better, enjoy:
Showbiz & A.G. – All Time Greats (Feat. Party Arty) CDQ
Mugshot Music out on October 9th, 2012. Support!!
R.I.P. Party Arty
UPDATE: DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles “Kolexxxion” European Tour Dates
Here are the European tour dates for “The Kolexxxion” tour with DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles, which party are you attending?
Fri 28 sep: Münster, Skater`s Palace, Germany
Sat 29 sep: Annecy, Pop Plage, France
Sun 30 sep: Amsterdam, Melkweg, Netherlands
Tue 02 oct: Cologne, Bogen 2, Germany
Wed 03 oct: Cologne, Bogen 2, Germany
Thu 04 oct: Berlin, Bohannon, Germany
Fri 05 oct: Basel, Kaserne, Suisse
Sat 06 oct: Stuttgart, Schräglage, Germany
Sun 07 oct: Vienna, Pratersauna, Austria
Wed 10 oct: Bristol, Lakota, UK
Thu 11 oct: Sofia, Live Club, Bulgaria
Fri 12 oct: Bucharest, Color, Romania
Sat 13 oct: Vilnius, Loftas, Lithuania
Sun 14 oct: Stockholm, Strand, Sweden
Mon 15 oct: Oslo, Jaeger, Norway
Tue 16 oct: Gothenburg, Sticky Fingers, Sweden
Wed 17 oct: Copenhagen, Rust, Denmark
Thu 18 oct: Malmö, Babel, Sweden
Fri 19 oct: Paris, Nouveau Casino, France
Sat 20 oct: London, Garage, UK
Sun 21 oct: Manchester, Moho Live, UK
Mon 22 oct: Brussels, Bazaar, Belgium
Tue 23 oct: Bern, Bonsoir, Suisse
Wed 24 oct: Bordeaux, Le Complexe, France
Thu 25 oct: Bergen, Cosmo, Norway
Fri 26 oct: Napoli, Impero 2, Italy
Sat 27 oct: Chiasso, Palapenz, Suisse
DJ Premier Teams Up With Master P on Game’s Upcoming Album “Jesus Piece”
It looks like Game is hooked on Premo beats. Just like his last album, DJ Premier has again a spot on his new album “Jesus Piece”. The track is called “HVN4AGNGSTA” is going to feature Master P and DJ Premier on the beat. Jesus Piece should be dropping before the end of the year, he revealed the artists that will be featured on the album, including Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Scarface, Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Tyga, and more. Also, according to his Twitter, Rihanna and Pharrell may also be making appearances.
Related: Game – Born In The Trap CDQ
