Throwback: Above the Clouds: A Tribute To Guru Part 1

Keith Edward Elam, better known as Guru, passed away a year ago today at the age of 48. He left behind a nearly untouchable legacy to the hip-hop world through both his work with his partner DJ Premier and as a solo artist in his own right. Guru and Premier, collectively known as Gang Starr, amassed one of the most untouchable discographies in hip-hop, including no fewer than two stone-cold classics and nary a subpar album in their discography. DJ Premier would go on to be the undisputed most respected producer in the history of hip-hop, while Guru somehow managed to stay fairly under the radar, quietly creating an underrated solo discography following his split from Premier. Either by himself or with Gang Starr, Guru recorded with legendary MCs, always leaving a strong impression regardless of whom he was teamed with through his trademark calm, smooth flow and mellow voice that undoubtedly influenced later MCs such as Mase and Fabolous. Guru consistently put out music from 1989 to 2009--a 20 year career, almost unheard of in the hip-hop realm. His sound with Gang Starr was the blueprint for hip-hop through most of the 90s, with Premier's skillful scratching and the hard boom-bap beats designed to keep the head nodding but still put the listener's full attention on the lyrics, and Guru's slick lyrics and memorable delivery were always worth it. For his solo career, Guru turned toward jazzier hip-hop and collaborated with many artists in jazz and blues, and the results were every bit as palatable, although not as influential, as his work with Gang Starr. Sadly, Guru succumbed on April 19, 2010, to complications from a heart attack he had suffered, and while his final days were marred with controversy, I'm not going to focus on that. Instead, I'm going to let hip-hop thank Guru for his contributions. A number of MCs that Guru influenced weighed in with their opinions on Guru's music. I simply asked them to name a song, or several songs if they liked, that was/were a favorite/favorites from Guru's catalog (I included a little info on the artists, in case the readers aren't familiar). I'll let them take it from here:

Wrekonize

"tonz o gunz.....moment of truth...skillz....soliloquy of chaos....above the clouds...full clip"
"sorry....got so many"
via @Wrekonize on Twitter

Wrekonize is an MC/vocalist for Miami-based genre-bending hip-hop band ¡Mayday!, signed to Strange Music.

Sean Price

"BYS IS MY FAV GANGSTARR TRACK"
via @SeanMandela on Twitter

Brooklyn-based MC Sean Price came to fame as one half of influential hip-hop duo Heltah Skeltah before starting a successful solo career. Price is also a member of the legendary Boot Camp Clik and the supergroup Random Axe and is signed to Duck Down Records.

Mac Lethal

"In Memory Of..."
via @MacLethal666 on Twitter

Mac Lethal, representing Kansas City, garnered acclaim for his work with Rhymesayers Entertainment. Lethal currently operates his own label, Black Clover Records.

Big Scoob

""Manifest" or "Fullclip" & l fucks wit "Jazz Thing""
via @TheRealBigScoob on Twitter

Big Scoob came up as a member of influential Kansas City rap crew Rogue Dog Villians and is currently signed to Strange Music.

Brother Ali

"Guru's best rhyme, strictly in terms of killing the mic, was "Blowin' Up The Spot" from Hard To Earn album."
via @BrotherAliMpls on Twitter

Minneapolis MC Brother Ali is one of the biggest names in underground hip-hop, a respected lyricist signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment.

Stik Figa

"...my favorite Gangstarr song is Above the Clouds."
via @Stik_Figa on Twitter

Stik Figa has been grinding independently for a few years now in the largely untapped hip-hop scene of Topeka, Kansas.

Cognito

"MASS APPEAL!"
"Yup Yup... #RIPGURU"
via @TheRealCognito on Twitter

Fairfield, California-based MC Cognito was formerly signed to Strange Music to release his debut album Automatic and is currently operating independently.

Black Milk

"hard 2 choose.. I'll go w/ "All 4 the Cash".. was listening 2 it the other day"
via @Black_Milk on Twitter

Detroit producer/MC Black Milk has steadily worked his way into a position as one of the most potent dual-threat artists in hip-hop. He is also a member of the supergroup Random Axe.

Planet Asia

"Who's gonna take the weight!!"
via @PlanetAsia on Twitter

Fresno, California MC Planet Asia is a member of the acclaimed hip-hop duo Cali Agents along with Rasco, as well as a solo MC in his own right.

One.Be.Lo

"DWYK"
"Ex to the Next"
via @OneBeLo on Twitter

One.Be.Lo came to be known as a member of influential Pontiac, Michigan hip-hop duo Binary Star before dropping a number of acclaimed solo albums.

Ill Bill

"take it personal"
via @IllBill1972 on Twitter

Brooklyn rapper Ill Bill came to notoriety as a member of underground hip-hop group Non Phixion before making a name as a solo MC, in addition to production work. Bill is the brother of underground rapper Necro and recently collaborated with Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks for to form Heavy Metal Kings.

Big Tigger

"that's tough. Mass Appeal or Dwyck"
via @BigTiggerShow on Twitter

In addition to serving as the former host of BET's Rap City: Tha Bassment and 106 & Park, Bronx-born Big Tigger is the host of a syndicated radio program and part-time MC, appearing on tracks by the likes of R. Kelly and Ginuwine.

Consequence

""Gangstarr Has Got To Be The Sureshot" in the @GregNice Voice" (referring, of course, to DWYCK, which featured Nice & Smooth)
via @ItstheCons on Twitter

The cousin of Q-Tip, Queens MC Consequence made a number of appearances on A Tribe Called Quest albums before becoming affiliated with Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music family.




Greg Enemy
"hmm, so many really. at the moment I'd probably say Moment of Truth"
via @GregEnemy on Twitter

Greg Enemy is coming up in the hip-hop scene of Kansas City through his work with peers Stik Figa and Dutch Newman as well as solo material with a style influenced by Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, and Outkast.

G-Macc

"mass appeal"
via @GMacc24oe on Twitter

G-Macc is an MC from Sacramento signed with Brotha Lynch Hung's Madesicc Muzicc label, taking his cues from the best of West Coast gangsta rap and horrorcore.

Nesto the Owner

"My fav Guru/ Gangstar track has to be "Full Clip" cas its dope and it was Dedicated to 1 of my fav Rappers BIG L"
via @NestotheOwner on Twitter

Nesto the Owner is another up-and-comer from the Kansas City hip-hop scene, perhaps best known for a pair of punchline-packed collaborations with Tech N9ne but also for his recently released album Manimal.

R.O.C.

"gangstarr you know my steez!"
via @IAmtheROC on Twitter

The R.O.C. began with Detroit horrorcore hip-hop crew House of Krazees before splitting from the group for a solo career. R.O.C. has more recently been associated with Insane Clown Posse's Detroit-based Psychopathic Records label.

Bizz Gotti

"my fav Gang Starr song is "Full Clip"....go check it out."
via @BizzGotti on Twitter

Bizz Gotti is an up-and-coming rapper from Kansas City whose latest mixtape Bizzy Valentine is available for download at datpiff.com.

Seven the General

"fa sho my favorite Guru Track is actually a @Gangstar track #Just to get a rep! Plus he was 5% godBody huge inspiration!"
via @SeventheGeneral on Twitter

Seven the General got his start as a respected battle rapper from Detroit and is currently working his way up the mixtape circuit and through collaborations with Detroit artists such as D12.

Ras Kass

"just to get a Rep!!"
via @RasKass on Twitter

Ras Kass is a legend of the West Coast hip-hop scene. Hailing from Watts, California, Ras has been hailed as one of the greatest lyricists in the history of West Coast hip-hop.

Dirtball

"Mass Appeal and Loungin'"
Direct Message from @TheDirtball on Twitter

The Dirtball is a hip-hop artist from Crook County, Oregon, who has long been affiliated with Suburban Noize Records and as of 2010 is a member of LA-based rap crew Kottonmouth Kings.

Swifty McVay

"You Know My Steez!!!!!!! R.I.P Guru!!!! Gifted- Unlimited -Rhym's -Universal"
via @McVayD12 on Twitter

Swifty McVay is a long-time member of Detroit rap crew D12.

Krizz Kaliko

"step in my arena" best gangster track. I think that's what it's called"
via @KrizzKaliko on Twitter

Krizz Kaliko is a genre-bending rapper and singer from Kansas City who has built his entire career at Strange Music.

Pacewon

""I chant eeny meeny miny mo, I wreck the mic like a pimp pimps hoes" - Dwyck..."
via @Pacewon on Twitter

Pacewon is a long-time member of New Jersey hip-hop collective the Outsidaz.

Steven Cooper

"I'm definitely gonna say "Take It Personal". So dope."
via @IAmStevenCooper on Twitter

Steven Cooper represents Warrensburg, Missouri and has made music in both the Christian and secular realms.

Necro

"LOVED GURU - FAV LINE - "RAP IS AN ART, YOU DONT OWN NO LOOPS, ITS HOW YOU HOOK EM UP AND THE RHYME STYLE TROOP" WHAT!!!!!!"
""SO DONT EVEN THINK, THAT SOMEONE BIT, OFF OF YOUR WEAK BEAT, COME ON YOU NEED TO QUIT" THATS 2 LINES OUT OF 100'S HE SPIT"
(lyrics from "Take It Personal") via @Necro_Is_God on Twitter

Necro is a Brooklyn MC that operates in a subgenre he refers to as "death rap." He is the brother of Ill Bill and is also a prolific producer.

Sick Jacken

""Just To Get A Rep""
via @SickJacken on Twitter

Sick Jacken is a member of Los Angeles hip-hop supergroup Psycho Realm.

Fuzz Scoota

"Code of the streets , mass appeal ,"
Direct Message from @FuzzScootaD12 on Twitter

Fuzz Scoota was an original member of D12 who appeared on early releases by pre-fame Bizarre and Eminem before parting ways with the group. He rejoined D12 just this year.







See Part 2 for more...