Guru would have turned 57 years old on July 17. In honor of the Gang Starr legend’s birthday, DJ Premier shared two rare photos celebrating his life and contributions to Hip Hop culture.
“Salute To Your 57th Born Day God,” he wrote in the caption. “I Love You And We All Miss You! Wish You Were Here In The Physical Form…As You Already Know We Got Things Covered Down Here and KC Is Good, Lana Is Good Trish, Jay and Joci are Good. As I Will Continue To Say, You’re 1 Of 1. Sleep Peacefully Goo…One Of The Best Yet. Rare Pics In The Stash.”
Guru died from cancer on April 19, 2010, less than a month after he went into cardiac arrest and fell into a coma.
Among the many jewels he left behind was the four-part Jazzmatazz series, which seamlessly fused Hip Hop and jazz together. Universal Music Group recently reissued Jazzmatazz: Vol. 1 in honor of the album’s 25th anniversary.
As Gang Starr, Guru and Preemo pumped out six official studio albums, including 1994’s Hard To Earn and the 1998 classic, Moment Of Truth.
Several of Guru’s peers also paid tribute on social media. Digable Planets’ Ladybug Mecca, Evidence, A-F-R-O, DJ EFN, Planet Asia, AG and Kid Capri were among those to remember the late Hip Hop luminary.
Check out some of their posts below. [apple_news_ad type=”any”]
I didn’t know Guru was so much older than every other ’90s rapper. For reference, Scarface is 47, 2pac would be 48, Redman is 48, Black Thought is 46. 50 Cent is 43, only 4 years younger than Scarface, but Scarface was around for like 15 years (first Geto Boys album was ’89) before 50 (GRODT was ’03). I got way off topic, but at least you learned something about the relative age versus years of relevance of some of these guys. Also, LL Cool J is only 50 and he was around years before Guru. RIP Guru, Gang Starr forever. Don’t delete this HHDX.
gangstar was technically before 90s hip-hop era. Their first album was 89′. But they were making quality music up until early 2000s. No one could rock a premo beat like Guru. RIP.
Yes he was significantly older. Chuck D is 57 as well. GZA is 56 I believe. They all got on when they were in their 30s. Guru and Chuck were college graduates. GZA is just a veteran of life.
I thought GZA was born in 1966, so not older than 52..
R.I.H. GURU. Gangstarr never disappointed and I still like Ball head Slick and the Click
It’s baldhead not “ball head” lol. Rip Guru.
cool. now where is that unreleased gangstarr material album u promised?
Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal. “Moment of Truth” is my favorite Gang Starr album. Happy birthday and rest peacefully.
Damn it’s been over 8 years since his passing. I remember it like it was yesterday. Heavy blow to the Hip Hop community. Right after he passed, Solar got a bounty on his head. RIP GURU!
Btw, great pic of Guru and Planet Asia, but PA eyes make him look like a dog that is sad for shitting on the carpet and the owner scolding him for it.
Word, I don’t know if I like moment of truth or step inside the arena
R.I.P. Guru.
RIP Guru. Unique MC. Not to be beat a dead horse, but his death still seems mysterious and open-ended. Where’s Solaar?
Drake made DJ Premier relevant again.
… and your pito game isn’t.
Rest in peace 2 baldhead slick. I thoroughly enjoyed the solar albums too. Look to the sun was him at his sharpest. He vocally got better with age. Just like prodigy.
I’ll be greater then all mcs when I breathe give me room please !!! RIP GURU the Goat
I don’t very often run into anyone who truly and genuinely gives GURU the credit he rightfully deserves. I hear people say he’s dope this that and the other but he’s hardly ever referred to us one of if not the greatest emcee ever. To me GURU was just that. Not only one of the best yet but the best ever. The world has bred some extraordinary emcess throughout time but to me no one has been quite as great as GURU. It was always him or G Rap for me but in the end GURU was above anyone to ever do it. Of course it’s subjective but for him to not be considered one of the absolute finest emcees to ever bless a mic is mind boggling to me. In the end it’s the very thing that defines him and makes him that extraordinary. He was an acquired emcee. While most say he was Dope and loved the Moment of Truth record, only a few truly understand and know that GURU was second to none. I am blessed to be one of them!