Gang Starr was one of my most important groups in hip hop.
They were responsible for classic material and recorded one of my top 5 favorite hip hop albums of all time.
One of the most memorable things about The Arsenio Hall Show was the historic hip hop final salute when his show came to an end. I had a teenage tantrum when I learned the footage of Gang Starr performing Mass Appeal was recorded over. I was made to learn whose house I was in when I returned home from school that day.
What appears to be a common thread among some of the albums and artists I treasure now is my not liking them until I change my mind. When I heard Daily Operation after the few first listens, I didn't like it. The production was dirtier than Gang Starr's past work. I talked to a schoolmate that liked Gang Starr as much as I and he gave me the following instructions.
He told me get a comfortable chair, turn off the lights and listen to the album. I thought he was being ridiculous. I was going to sit in the dark and listen to THAT album again? The again was not necessarily placed for effect. I very well could have never listened to the album again. He reiterated his instructions and I decided I should give it a shot.
I got the chance to listen to it in the dark and what do you know! I'm writing a blog about the album some twenty years later. Songs like Take It Personal, Hardcore Composer, B.Y.S. and Much 2 Much are indeed much too much. That sound I didn't like was the foundation for Primo's legend. They never did an album this good until they released Moment Of Truth. Even then, I go with Daily Operation any day. As a matter of fact, I went with Daily Operation in my MP3 player for almost a month one summer.
I was not happy to learn of Guru's death. That put an end to any chance of Gang Starr reuniting. It looks like I will reunite listeners with Gang Starr music when the time permits.
I heard Guru's situation was critical weeks before he died and in the back of my mind hoped he'd recover completely. A text message received that April confirmed the worst.
Not too long after his death, Frank BLVD, the only person I know that likes Gang Starr more than me, and I were heading home from a record convention and talking about Guru. We both agreed that no tribute mix or radio show would come from either of us because of our histories with Gang Starr. Frank asked how much more of a tribute can he give Guru when he owns nearly everything he recorded? I asked how much more tribute could I have given Guru when in 2007 I did a tribute using only rare tracks and remixes not appearing on any Guru or Gang Starr album?
He was part of one of the most important groups in hip hop, responsible for classic material but didn't get the full credit he deserved. He got more recognition dead than alive like most other deceased artists before him. I had mixed emotions at the time of his death. I watched the media and social media outlets do to Guru what they do with many celebrities. People ran with whatever drama surfaced until they had enough. My distance from hip hop should be evident from my posts. Seeing that I don’t have as personal a stake in hip hop as I used to, I was more of an observer rather than participant.
I'm surprised it took me this long to write about Guru's death. I wanted to write with as clear a head as possible. One half of one of my favorite hip hop groups is gone. Our chances of hearing another Gang Starr recording are gone. Realizing and writing about that fact is nothing I would rush to do but it's done now.
I've said it before and will say it again. I was born at a right time. Thank you Guru for you contributions to hip hop, introducing us to jazz, Daily Operation and signing my Jazzmatazz CD when I thought you wouldn't. I'll never forget you or your music.
I thank you Guru for his contributions to hip hop, introducing a younger generation to the treasures of jazz music, Daily Operation and signing my Jazzmatazz CD when I thought he wouldn't. I'll never forget him or his music.
Check out the single by Marco Polo, Talib Kweli & DJ Premier paying tribute to the late hip hop legend.
Click play below to hear this Suite Delight show and here to download it and others.
Playlist:
1. Bonobo – Kong
2. DJ Unwind – Natalia’s Groove
3. Bilal – Cake & Eat It Too
4. N.E.R.D. – Maybe
5. Ikebe Shakedown – Tujunga
6. Depeche Mode – World In My Eyes
7. Nate Wize – Rock The Casbah feat. Ammoye
8. Naughty By Nature – It’s On (Beatnuts Remix)
9. Q-Tip – Gettin’ Up
10. Mark Ronson – Oh My God (The Super Busdown Remix) feat. Lily Allen & Busta Rhymes
11. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth – It’s Not A Game
12. Gang Starr – Gotta Get Over (Taking Loot) (Remix)
13. Planet Asia – Pyramids (Remix) feat. Jasiri X & Brother J
14. The Roots – Proceed II feat. Roy Ayers
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