Guru (rapper)

Guru

Guru (born Keith Edward Elam on July 17, 1966 in Boston, Massachusetts), is an American rapper, and the lyrical half of legendary hip-hop group Gang Starr, together with DJ Premier. With his Jazzmatazz album series, he is also considered to be one of the pioneers of hiphop/jazz crossover. The name Guru is an backronym that stands for "Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal" and the less often used "God is Universal, he is the Ruler Universal". As stated in numerous interviews, he is of Trinidadian descent.

Background

Founded in 1987, Gang Starr built a sizable following in the early 90's, releasing classic albums like, Step in the Arena (1991) and Daily Operation (1992). Guru's lyrical style is based on battle rhymes delivered smoothly, modestly, and with sly wit; he typically avoids using overwhelming charisma, focusing instead on his rhyming ability. Over the years he has even taken on younger rappers, including Jeru the Damaja, as proteges. He is credited with DJ Premier for executive producing Jeru's debut, The Sun Rises in the East (1994).

In 1993, he released his first solo album, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1. The album featured collaborations with Donald Byrd, N'Dea Davenport and Roy Ayers, while his second LP, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality, featured Ramsey Lewis, Branford Marsalis and Jamiroquai. The Jazzmatazz albums are commonly considered some of the best rap of the early 90s, Guru's reputation was also bolstered through the continued success of Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: Streetsoul (2000) and Baldhead Slick & Da Click (2001).

Moreover, recent Gang Starr albums have continued to garner Guru critical acclaim. Prominent Boston underground rapper Mr. Lif frequently cites Guru as a major stylistic influence; he appears as a guest with Lif on the Perceptionists' debut album, Black Dialogue (2005).

Besides Gang Starr, his Jazzmatazz and solo albums, Guru has collaborated with countless artists since the early 90s. Not only in hiphop, but also with artists from various genres such as pop, electronica/dance, acid jazz and even brass bands.

His "first proper solo album", in his own words, was Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures (2005), released with the help of producer and new backup MC and producer Solar (who is not to be confused with MC Solaar from France). The album reached #1 on the college hip-hop charts, but was a failure with both fans and critics. It still managed to sell relatively well for an independent release.

Guru's latest project is the fourth installment in the Jazzmatazz series, entirely produced by Solar. It was released in early June 2007 and received good reviews and comments from fans.

Gang Starr's current status and future are unknown.

More on this topic is to be found in the main article for Gang Starr.

Producing, acting and label ownership

Not really unusual for a rapper, Guru also feels at home behind the mixing board. He has co-produced all Gang Starr tracks since 1989, and produced (or co-produced) much of his solo and Jazzmatazz work, and has also acted in several movie productions throughout the 90s and 00s.

Besides his Jazzmatazz projects, Guru also started a record label called "Ill Kid Records" in the mid 90s. With some help from DJ Premier, several 12" vinyl singles and the album Guru presents Ill Kid Records were released. Most of the material was by artists loosely connected to either Guru, DJ Premier or the Gang Starr Foundation. However, as of 2005 the label seems to be history, as he founded "7 Grand" with Solar, on which his recent solo singles and albums have been released.

Discography

Gang Starr albums are listed in the group's main article.

Jazzmatazz Albums

Album information
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 Released: May 18, 1993 Billboard 200 chart position: #94 R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #15 Singles: "Trust Me", "Loungin'", "No Time To Play" & "Le Bien, Le Mal"
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality Released: July 18, 1995 Billboard 200 chart position: #71 R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #16 Singles: "Watch What You Say" & "Livin' In This World"
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: Streetsoul Released: September 26, 2000 Billboard 200 chart position: #32 R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #8 UK chart position: #74 Singles: "Keep Your Worries", "Lift Your Fist", "Certified" & "Supa Love"
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip-Hop Jazz Messenger: Back To The Future Released: June 5, 2007 Billboard 200 chart position: N/A R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #45 Singles: "State Of Clarity"

Label Compilation (Various Artists)

Album information
Guru Presents Ill Kid Records Released: 1995 Billboard 200 chart position: - R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: - Singles: -

Baldhead Slick All Star Album

Album information
Baldhead Slick & Da Click Released: September 25, 2001 Billboard 200 chart position: #122 R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #22 Singles: "Where's Our Money?!/In Here" & "Cry/Pimp Shit"

Solo Album

Album information
Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures Released: May 10, 2005 Billboard 200 chart position: - R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #54 Singles: "Cave In", "Step In The Arena 2" & "Hood Dreamin"

Mixtapes

Guru has appeared on various mixtapes throughout his career, and has released two of those on his own: "The Official Guru Gang Starr Mixtape" (2004, CD, with various freestyles over well-known beats) and "Back To The Future" (2007, CD, in support of Jazzmatazz Vol. 4, with b-sides and remixes).

Filmography

• Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories 2005 as 8-Ball
• Kung Faux 2003 as Voice Over/Various
• Urban Massacre 2002 as Cereal Killah
• Grand Theft Auto III 2001 as 8-Ball
• 3 A.M. 2001 as Hook-Off
• Train Ride 2000 as Jay
• The Substitute 2: School's Out 1998 as Little B.
• Who's the Man? 1993 as Martin Lorenzo

External links

• Template:Myspace
• guru7grand.net 7 Grand Records website
• Official Guru's Jazzmatazz site
• Guru at IMDb
• Guru Jazzmatazz interview
• Guru and Solar Interview with ArtOfRhyme.com
• Guru Interview with Britishhiphop.co.uk
• Guru and Solar Interview with http://www.gowherehiphop.com 02.20.08