Gang Starr took the music world by storm with
their brand of Hip Hop. They brought so much knowledge to Hip Hop, lyrically
and to the production side of things that their impact is still felt in the
world today.
They came from Boston, Massachusetts in 1985 by Keith Elam
(who was to be known as Guru) and DJ 1,2 B-Down( aka Mike Dee). At the time
they worked producers, Donald D and DJ Mark the 45 King. In 1987 and 1988, they
released three singles on twelve inch through Wild Pitch Records. In the year
of 1989, the group split but Guru was still determined to work under the name
of Gang Starr. He soon got in touch with a Houston native that went by the name
of DJ Premier( known as Waxmaster C at the time). He sent him a beat tape of
his works, in which Guru liked and the marriage of these two innovators was set
from there on out.
Guru sort of strong armed him into joining Gang Starr with
him and in 1989, their first single was released, Words I Manifest that was a part of their first album, No More Mr. Nice Guy. They were signed
quickly in the year of 1990 to the record label Chrysalis by then A&R
director Duff Marlowe (a Los Angeles
Times rap critic and former DJ). The label was London based and they
offered them an unlimited artistic license along with a major-label
distribution worldwide. Under this deal, the group became one of the most
influential groups in Hip Hop history. They really were a major player in
forming the hardcore Hip Hop sound of the East Coast.
Gang Starr's whole discography is good especially, 1990's Step in the Arena. With songs like,
"Just to Get a Rep", "Who's Gonna Take the Weight?",
"Lovesick", and "Step in the Arena" (these all being the
singles off that album), Gang Starr climbed to #5 on the Hot Rap Singles
charts. It really is a good Hip Hop mainstream piece that stays in the realm of
the underground as well.
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In 1992, Gang Starr came out with Daily Operation, in which Guru touched on various topics, to the
government, women, pro-Black rights, anti-prejudice, weed smoking, and anger
and sadness. Each track, both Guru and DJ Premier were given the producer
credit. It had two hit singles, "Ex Girl to Next Girl" which landed
at #5 on the Hot Rap Charts and "Take It Personal" which landed at #1
on the Hot Rap Charts. The album itself hit #14 on the Top R&B/Rap Albums
and hit #65 on the Billboard chart.
In 1994, Gang Starr came out with their fourth album as a
duo, Hard to Earn. It included one of
their most well known songs of all time, "Mass Appeal". It hit #2 on the Top R&B/ Rap Albums
chart and #20 on the Billboard chart. It was a less melodic album than their
earlier releases but it was substituted with more hard edges. They later came out with two more well crafted albums.
Guru and DJ Premier continued to work together until 2005.
When 2006 rolled around, Guru mentioned that Gang Starr had completely come to
an end in several interviews. In February 2010 Guru suffered a heart attack
which placed him into a coma until April 10, 2010 when he unfortunately died.
The fortunate thing is the great legacy that he left behind. Decades of music
and influence given to the Hip Hop World. Gang Starr left behind a collection
of masterful works that included six studio albums. Their voice in the Hip Hop
community is still heard and DJ Premier continues to pump out his brand of Hip
Hop beats and productions. Guru is known as one of the greatest MCs to ever
rock the mic and DJ Premier as one of the greatest producers that has ever hit
the speakers.
Here are some various links to support the old school Hip Hop brand of Gang Starr:
"Mass Appeal" video link:
"Just to Get a Rep" video link:
"Take It Personal" video link:
Main Source:
Wikipedia.com
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