Rest in Peace GURU.

[Groo The Perverted]

Damn this sucks. I didn't wanna believe it at first, but now MTV UK's site is reporting it as well.

Influential rapper Guru has died aged 43 after a battle with cancer.

The New York born MC had suffered cardiac arrest on March 2 and was in a coma for some time.

A statement said: “Guru has passed away yesterday morning (April 19) after a long battle with cancer.

“According to (producer) Solar, Guru suffered from the malicious illness for over a year and after numerous special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed, the legendary MC succumbed to the disease. Guru always tried to keep this harrowing diagnosis in private but in early 2010 he had to admit himself to hospital due to serious effects caused by the disease.”

Guru became famous after teaming up with DJ Premier in group Gang Starr. The duo released six studio albums between 1989 and 2003 and became famous for making “conscious rap” before splitting under acrimonious circumstances.

Since then Guru had released a series of ‘Jazzmatazz’ albums where he teamed up with classic jazz, soul and hip hop artists.

He also continued to tour the world with a band and producer Solar.

[mikejet]

I woke up and NO ONE is mentioning this? A hip hop legend DIES and it's not even on Twitter or anywhere else.

Sad day indeed.

Terrible news to wake up to.

[Groo The Perverted]

Originally Posted by mikejet

I woke up and NO ONE is mentioning this? A hip hop legend DIES and it's not even on Twitter or anywhere else.

Sad day indeed.

Terrible news to wake up to.

It's actually on Twitter a lot. But the news broke at around 3-4am. By noon it'll be everywhere.

One of my all time favorite albums of any genre, and a heavily underrated album is the first Jazzmatazz album he did. Classic.

[Mr. J]

WOW! It's sad when you have to log on to blu-ray.com to see that someone of his stature has passed. Terrible news indeed!

[SDon1969]

Jeez, only 43 years old....that's awful.

[mikejet]

Gifted
Unlimited
Rhymes
Universal

Forever in his music, forever in my speakers, forever in our hearts.

[Groo The Perverted]

His legacy is deep.

One of the all time great hip hop beats = Mass Appeal.

The library of music he's left will live on and he'll always be remembered.

The only thing that rubs me wrong is the letter he allegedly left cutting DJ Premier out of everything having to do with him. I guess they had issues, but I just don't know if I buy that he wrote that. And others have brought up that too. That Solar guy isn't well liked by many, apparantly.

[mikejet]

A lot of people are saying he was in a coma when he passed so the letter can be suspect. I'm gonna go read it now.

[mikejet]

I just read it. I don't believe one word of that letter. I always believed that Gangstarr would reunite one day.

[Mr. J]

I don't believe it either. He's been in a coma for what, a month or more?

[AlexG]

Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Letter From Guru, R.I.P.

I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options.

I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting.

My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody’s feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.

I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness,
events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do!

As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life

This was posted in DJ Premiers Blog...Some claim it was forged by Solar himself. Either way Guru will be missed!!!

[Groo The Perverted]

Originally Posted by AlexG

This was posted in DJ Premiers Blog...Some claim it was forged by Solar himself. Either way Guru will be missed!!!

and that blog was suspended this morning as of 4am. Don't know if it's back or not. That might not have been Premo's blog. I dunno.

EDIT: the blog says it's the only fansite approved by Premo, and it says on there that they don't necessarily believe it either....

[bootsy]

Originally Posted by Groo The Perverted

His legacy is deep.

One of the all time great hip hop beats = Mass Appeal.

The library of music he's left will live on and he'll always be remembered.

The only thing that rubs me wrong is the letter he allegedly left cutting DJ Premier out of everything having to do with him. I guess they had issues, but I just don't know if I buy that he wrote that. And others have brought up that too. That Solar guy isn't well liked by many, apparantly.

Yes indeed. Everytime I play that song whether on CD or mp3 player I always have to play it two or three times before going to the next song. That is a sick beat. My brother has the single with the instrumental on it. Might have gaffle it.

RIP to a hip hop legend. He and DJ Premier were a great team along with Group Home.

[Bishop_99]

Wow, that's sad. I didn't hear about him passing away.

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by Groo The Perverted

One of my all time favorite albums of any genre, and a heavily underrated album is the first Jazzmatazz album he did. Classic.

No doubt. Fantastic album, even legendary in terms of it's style of fusion. I was lucky enough to find a copy of this on vinyl in perfect condition about a month ago, listen to it all the time.

Very sad news, I wish his friends and family the best.

[Lord_Stewie]

RIP.

The Legacy continues.

[MaCruz]

I was looking for an article in the Hip-Hop thread and found it thanks to Stewie posting.

May you rest in peace Guru!! Very sad. Time for me to listen to his music and beats.

[greatfoxmusic]

Hmm I think that letter is fishy. DJ Premier's beats was the main reason to jam out to Gangstarr. Guru should have known this.