Famed MC Guru has died at the age of 43 after struggling with cancer, Gigwise and other sources are reporting. Born in Boston, Guru was best known for his long collaboration with DJ Premier as the duo Gang Starr, a group that had profound influence on East Coast hip-hop and helped united the worlds of hip-hop and jazz.
Born Keith Elam, Guru first attracted attention with the 1987 Gang Starr single "Words I Manifest," a track that immediately established the group's sound by pairing Premier's slinky, looping beats to Guru's understated rhymes.
A string of classic albums followed during the prolific period between 1989's No More Mr. Nice Guy and Hard To Earn in 1994. In 1993, Guru debuted the first of a series of albums in the Jazzmatazz series, which saw him collaborating with notable jazz artists and bringing to the fore an influence already apparent on Gang Starr tracks like "Jazz Thing." By the end of the '90s, Guru and Premier had begun working together less frequently, releasing Moment Of Truth in 1998 and The Ownerz in 2003.
Recent years saw Guru turning instead to a producer named Solar for a pair of solo albums and alter Jazzmatazz entries. Solar has been providing public statements during Guru's illness, sometimes to the chagrin of Guru's family and most definitely to the disappointment of Guru's former partner Premier. Solar released a letter purportedly written as a last statement from Guru that slams Premier and praises Solar. It was posted to a Premier fansite with this comment from the poster:
This letter is way outta hand Solar. Why the fuck did nobody stopped that dude??? I’m stuck with mix feelings, sorry. I can’t accept this. R.I.P. Guru, play his songs!! He will be remembered for ever and ever!!
Perhaps, as the battle for Guru's legacy gets ugly, it's best to remember a period when Gang Starr was united and making music that will outlast any lingering bitterness:
Update: The statement on the Premier site was previously mistakenly attributed to Premier.