In Complex’s Magnum Opus mini-documentary series episode about Gang Starr’s 1994 hit single “Mass Appeal,” DJ Premier declared it was a “shame” for the Hip Hop journalism industry to not pay tribute to Guru by putting him on any magazine covers after his death in April 2010.
On Gang Starr’s 17-track comeback opus One Of The Best Yet (a self-explanatory label that’s derived from the duo’s memorable title track from their 1999 greatest hits album Full Clip: A Decade Of Gang Starr) hammers down Premier’s point for redemption.
The duo’s seventh album comprised by some of Guru’s 30 unreleased verses filled with whipsmart battle rap lyrics and Preemo’s trademark production formula of chunky basslines, punchy snares, multi-layered dusty record loops and simplistic scratches. The LP clocks in around 40 minutes and most of the tracks are lean in just over two minutes in length without a hefty list of guest features from rap contemporaries to carry the project’s whole weight of the posthumously released album such as The Notorious B.I.G.’s Born Again and 2Pac’s Better Dayz.
Once the first song “Lights Out” featuring M.O.P enters, Premier’s sledgehammering snares and bass drum kicks are ominous to Guru’s raging vocals has the same thunderous energy as LL Cool J’s “Mama Said Knock You Out.” Guru yells and sounds like a rap Lazarus yelling, “Lights out, I told y’all, this is the one I owe y’all/When you see me, act like you know I know y’all/No one but Allah can hold y’all/Average muthafuckers can’t even handle what I told y’all!”
The third track and album’s second single “Bad Name” has with Guru’s trademark monotone, raspy vocals criticizing the rap industry’s lowest common denominators in today’s Hip Hop industry. The syncopated and occasionally frenetic scratches with Boston rap legend Edo G’s “I hate telling good people bad news” as the hook indirectly points to Gang Starr’s Beantown roots and evokes the underground grit of the duo’s 1992 classic single “Take It Personal.”
DJ Premier enlists fellow 90s jazz-rap progenitor Q-Tip for the project’s most funky and imaginative song “Hit Man,” their first-ever collaboration. As Guru describes a feared marksman, A Tribe Called Quest’s de facto leader brings his nasal, percussive vocal style for the chorus that includes his own sound effects of magazine and shotgun gun blasts.
The album continues its Gang Starr Foundation revival with Group Home and Preemo’s partner-in-PRHYME, Royce Da 5’9, on “What’s Real.” Nickel crafts intensified bars and pays homage to Guru to acknowledge his spirit felt in the studio during the album’s creative process: “Watch smoke is in the air, feel like voodoo’s on the floor/’cause we got the actual ashes of Guru on the boards.”
On “From A Distance” featuring Jeru The Damaja, Guru and The Sun Toucher bring their Five Percent Nation teaching-laced lyrics to sound as high-brow and street-wise for Gang Starr’s most intellectual record since “Above The Clouds.”
At the midpoint and lead single “Family and Loyalty” featuring J. Cole, it serves as the album’s narrative arc for the album’s aforementioned storyline. The ethereal piano loop and J. Cole’s flawless sixteen match Guru’s enlightening two opening and closing verses.
The romantic “Get Together” featuring Ne-Yo and Nitty Scott is finds Guru gets romantic with Scott who has a stellar portrayal of an around the way girl over melodic jingle bells.
Low points are “Business Or Art” featuring Talib Kweli, in which Guru’s vocals don’t match the lethargic soundscape, and “So Many Rappers” incorporating beat changes that sound incompatible. Big Shug’s freestyle crooning on “One Of The Best Yet (Interlude)” seems hollow as an introduction for the suspenseful “Take Flight (The Militia Pt. 4) featuring Big Shug and Freddie Foxx.
One Of The Best Yet doesn’t match Gang Starr’s best albums such as Hard To Earn, Daily Operation or Moment Of Truth. But it’s arguably the most important chip of the duo’s discography because of its heavily publicized legal of Premier and Guru’s Elam family against the rapper’s embattled former svengali Solar. It’s an epilogue for Premier, his Gang Starr Enterprises executive partner and Guru’s sister Trish as well as his 19-year-old son Keith Elam, Jr., who are the executors of the rapper’s estate.
To close this decade, One Of The Best Yet makes a strong case that its chain and star logo is Hip Hop traditionalism’s version of the Union Jack flag to salute where credit is due to one of rap’s greatest MCs and duos yet.
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Historical album 5/5
Beast mode from start to finish. Play this shit on the radio. Cop 2 albums.
Crazy
I’ve been playing this since it was released. Great album…not perfect but great.
A heartbreaking money grab.
I dont I tried to get into this I think if you never heard Gangstarr and this was an introduction it would be cool but as someone who has owned every Gangstarr album since Daily Operation came outits really hard to vibe off this album beats are ok it just doesnt mesh well the lyrics seem like they’ve been chopped and processed so much that it doesnt sound fluid at all like its some cut and paste type deal I dont think any of the songs lyric wise were ever made and compiled how we hear them it sounds like he took a verse or a couple lines from one song then took a couple from another and tried to make songs in that matter. As big of a Gangstarr fan that I am I honestly didnt have high expectations for this anyway cause I know how albums sounds that people put out after someone dies it always sounds half assed and never quite right. At least Guru family will have some extra money now though thats cool I guess
If you were a big Fan you would also have “no more Mr nice Guy” as well as “Step in the Arena” too in your collection. those came out before “Daily Operation”. The album is not the best I give you that but it’s most definitely better than a 2 out of 5. Guru still sounds better than most of the wack Rappers on the Radio today. I give it 4 out of 5 and I look at it as an EP since it’s 37 minutes in length. Preemo still gave us that real Hip Hop it’s not a classic but it’s still pretty good. RIP Guru
Bad Name, Militia Pt4,the Jeru track, What’s Real……you werent really listening. This is pure Gang Start. Pure hiphop.
It reminds me of Wraith of the Math from Jeru. Everyone thought the beats were wack because Premier went left with the production. I thought of the same thing when I heard this album. The Owners album was actually weaker then this. Just going to give it a couple of more spins.
Keeping in mind how the album came about, I think it is pretty good.
Any gang starr album is better than no gangs starr album. i really enjoyed this album. Its no moment of truth. But a solid album. I give it 4/5
Great album. Don’t listen to the trolls
Love the album, great to hear Guru again and Preemo can do no wrong. J Coles verse I said a contender for verse of the year, he’s really been stepping his game up
J Coles verse is dope still I rate it
I still think Royce Da 5’9″ has the best verse on the LP. by the way I Just read an interview where Premier was reaching out to Drake first for “Family and loyalty” but he was too busy with his Tour. Then he tried to connect with Kendrick but he was just starting his. So it all worked out for J Cole because Preemo gave him his space and told him to take his time since Cole and Wifey just had a Son.
Yeah, Royce bodied that shit. I just feel like there is something special about Coles 16. Shit gave me an “Illmatic” era Nas kinda vibe. Royce is an absolute beast though
Amazing album. Guru is such an amazing MC and lyricist. The only blemish are the J Cole, Royce, and Talib Kweli features.
You’re “Buggin out” like A Tribe Called Quest. Royce Da 5’9″ has the illest verse on the LP. do you listen to lyrics B? J Cole, Talib Kweli sound just fine. The only thing that sucks is the album is more of an EP since it’s only 37 minutes and some songs are only 2 minutes and change. You might want to take it in again and actually listen especially to” What’s real”
Its unauthentic cuz those 3 dudes weren’t Guru’s peoples. Group Home comes off harder and more poignant on “What’s Real”. when lil dap comes on it puts a smile on my face. Melachi oozes with realness and pain when he says “yall aint built for what we been thru”…. Royce makes me look sidewayz like an outsider that doesn’t belong.
J Cole and Royce spit fire on this one
4/5 is about right. Kweli is best with his rapid fire lyrics. The slow track doesn’t really fit his style. I love the album as a whole and appreciate that we could hear Gang Starr music at least one more time.
One of my favorite tracks on the album and I love Kweli’s verse. I think it’s cool that he was doing something a bit outside of his norm. My only problem with it (shared with some of the other tracks on the album) is that it’s too short!
This album is 1/5 as released. I prefer the original version with Solar’s FIRE productions as the foundation and inspiration for Guru’s lyrics. That version is a 6/5! Come peep it on my YouTube channel and show me some love there in the comments!
Anyone referring to himself in the third person is a sucker.
The only thing “Super” here is your ego. In the annals of hip-hop history, who are you? The only reason your name rings ANY bells is because of the negative effect you had on Guru and his family. Anyone who’s spent 5 mins looking into Guru’s story has come to the same conclusion. You put money over everything, even Gu’s life. What have YOU done for the man’s family since? All you do is talk trash online & create bogus YT accounts to try to justify your rep. We all see it. “So like they say, every dog has its day, And like they say, God works in a mysterious ways.” So I hope you’re prepared to meet your moment of truth, homie. You’ve got a lot to answer for.
Monumental album, although some verses came off kinda flat, but its obviously because Guru was not part of the process of creating this album, despite that, this album is arguably one of the best albums of 2019!! Preemo never disappoints with his production!
I had to dial back my expectations and excitement. It’s not on the same level as previous Gangstarr albums but how could it be?…Guru and Premier shine individually but it sounds a little cobbled together.
Drake on a gangstarr album? I wouldn’t buy it. Drake doesn’t writes shit. Lamar is locked into the studio. U don’t diss a legend have respect 4 greatness. HALL OF FAME 2020!
I think the review needs an edit. The score is fine, and after a half-dozen listens I’m on the same page, but the writing itself needs some polish.
I was a big Gang Starr fan when I was young but I don’t feel this album.
NOT ONLY IS THIS ALBUM A GIFT, BUT ITS WELL PUT-TOGETHER TOO. GURU FLOW IS TIMELESS AND IT FEELS LIKE HES STILL WITH US ON THIS. MINOR GRIPES ARE HOW SOME SONGS FEEL UNFINISHED, AND SOLAR HAD GURU USING SOME WEAK MICROPHONES. DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES ITS FORGIVABLE. THIS IS A 4.5 OUT OF 5 FOR ME.
Go listen to any other Gangstarr album then come back and tell us how great this album is you guys are some nut ridin yes men no way in heaven Guru would ever approve of this half azzed attempt of an album
No only did he release songs Gurn probably never wanted ro be heard it was done in a cheap lame azz way just sayin check your emotions this is a cash grab str8 up! Enjoy your D.J Premier remix album
A little weird that when Guru died Premier didnt have one unreleased Gangstarr song? Even a couple verses? Hmmmm….
Funny how that trick Solar had a bunch of files tho? Hmmmmm… thats cause for whatever reason Guru wanted nothing to do with Premier which is his choice but here we are dude has been passed for years now and we get a new Gangstarr album whoo-hoo we all know damn well of Guru was still here this would have NEVER dropped! Just sayin!
ok solar… or, maybe eventually Guru woulda came around and realized he was buggin when he allowed his whole life to be controlled by such a parasite talentless fraud and hack. Shit, if solar didnt push him to keep touring when he should have been resting, maybe Guru would still be alive today
So you sayin Guru was wack? Maybe he was actually Solar friend and was mad at Preemo for whatever reason.
*I meant weak not wack.
Guru decided what he decided, maybe he wasn´t controlled… maybe this was a conscious decision.
Hahaha I actually just went and listened to the Solar produced version of one of these songs and its actually way better it was called “So Many” by Gangstarr I couldn’t believe it actually D.J Premier has definitely fell off im not even hating but c’mon the quality of the vocals alone give it the win and the beat is actually cool I still think Solar is a Azzclown but you cant deny its not better
Sure, Solar
No one fucks with you, Solar!
sure, Solar
Im not Solar trick!
yes u is
straight dumb fire!!!
RiP Guru… great to hear the man’s voice again.. His family is behind it and will benefit. #nuffsaid WHATEVER they went through and however the Solar dude twisted and manipulation his head, Guru was Gangstarr Foundation far longer than he wasn’t you know.. so BIG UP Premo for making happen.. shout to Freddie ? too I’m sure..
Jeru smashes it.
Zz.
Preemo did GREAT with this. It’s the perfect finale.
FIRE!!
This review was trash dissing my favorite songs So many rappers, Business or Art and Mitia 4!
Person who wrote this review is clearly an amateur. The “one of the best yet” lyric is from “you know my steez”…it was scratched up by primo in “full clip.” AND that wasn’t Guru on the hook in “lights out.” Tons of typos and grammatical errors as well. Study hard ! I’m a huge Gang Starr fan. This is a great record IMo.
Who raps the hook of lights out?
Great album. Top 5-10 this year
Really good album. One of the best this year (top 5-10)
Black Moon`s album is better. I love Gang Starr this just does not make heavy rotation.
There is no better. Dope is dope. And both albums are dope.
BRUH. You are tripping….That Moon album….aaaiiiiiight, at best