Remembering GURU (7.17.61 - 4.19.10)

Today marks one year since the passing of GURU and there are still so many unanswered questions surrounding his death.

The rapping half of the legendary Gang Starr lost his fight with cancer while his then-musical partner Solar juiced the event for all it was worth, issuing press releases and generally just trumping up publicity for himself at the expense of a comatose and then finally dead GURU.

While GURU is resting in peace, Solar -- the self proclaimed "super producer" who ironically hasn't produced a single musical contribution in the year since GURU passed -- is no doubt still up to no good, probably firmly latched onto his next unsuspecting victim, bilking up a storm.

The curious association between Solar and GURU raised eyebrows, with GURU's family and previous Solar victims sharing their stories of Solar's shadiness.

But this post is not about Solar. It's about GURU's legacy that is still thriving to this day; his undeniable classics Hiphop contributions that are still relevant and cherished by his truest and newest fans alike.

GURU's family is taking part in a tribute this Thursday in his honor at the popular New York City nightspot Le Poisson Rouge, with all donations and net proceeds going to GURU's son, K.C. Elam.

GURU's life will also be honored next month in his hometown of Boston during the 5th Annual UNITY Festival.

I always felt that during his life GURU was completely unappreciated by his peers, rarely being invited to be featured on somebody's track. Instead, GURU created his own lane with the timeless hits from his first three Jazzmatazz offerings as well as his Gang Starr efforts with DJ Premier.

While GURU was featured on albums from some of the underground's favorites, the who's who of rappers never invited GURU to collaborate. It was always GURU who had to extend the invitation to other rappers to be included on his own projects.

By my estimation, the reason for this was either his fellow rappers were afraid to be shown up by GURU on their own albums or people were just hating. Probably a combination of the two, considering the industry-wide negativity directed at Solar during the last couple of years of GURU's life.

Here are some classic visuals to remind you of GURU's "mass appeal," which, contrary to popular belief, was due to a lot more than "mostly tha voice."

Bilingual Rap Quietly Makes Its Return

It's been a long while since Hiphop has been treated to a quality song that featured an artist rhyming in something other than their native language.

Two songs immediately come to mind when weighing the contenders for best bilingual rap songs of all time performed by non-bilingual rappers.

The summer of 1991 was responsible for tons of hits that are now classics, but the Hiphop nation stood at attention when Nice & Smooth flipped their already hot single Hip-Hop Junkies for its Spanish Fly remix, paying tribute to their Spanish-speaking fans as well as their Bronx brethren:



Nine long years later to a much less publicized degree, Mos Def and De La Soul were featured on the bilingual jewel What's That (?Que Eso?) from Tony Touch's The Piece Maker album.

De La was great, and of course Tony Toca excelled, but Mos Def stole the show by closing his impressive and memorable verse with the following line (ironically delivered in English): "Understand that when I shine all your light is through, y'all n*ggas wack in one language, son, I'm nice in two."

But now these two songs get some quality [and surprising] company from Compton rapper Game, who is featured on French rapper La Fouine's song Caillra For Life.

Game has generally improved as a rapper since his debut, but his verse on this song shatters all preconceptions we may have had of his rhyming prowess by flowing effortlessly in both French and English. (Editor's note: criteria for this list does not include subject matter...)

Not only does it show that Game is willing to step outside of his comfort zone (for which he should be commended), it also displays a growth that was never expected from a rapper of his ilk (when is the last time a gangsta rapper emceed in another language?).

This brief but substantial list leaves out Cypress Hill, The Beatnuts and other pioneering Latino rappers and rap groups who have always infused their native language into their mostly English rhymes, and their contributions shouldn't be ignored. But rare is it when a rapper goes out of his element to showcase his rhyming ability in another language.

Honorable Mention: GURU featured French rapper MC Solaar on Jazzmatazz, but GURU himself never rapped in another language, making him ineligible to appear this list.

I'm sure there are other notable bilingual songs from non-bilingual rappers. Who am I missing?

Guru: Gone But Not Forgotten

Although it's been nearly eight months since his passing, rapping legend GURU still lives on in the collective heart of Hiphop.

Many of his rapping peers released songs in tribute in the weeks following his death, and former collaborators and fellow Gang Starr Foundation members Group Home even named their most recent album after GURU.

BET even did a moving salute to GURU at its annual Hip-Hop Awards show, but after that people seemed to move on and forget about GURU and the events and controversy that led up to his ultimate demise.

But on the heels of The Kid Daytona's new album with music made from classic interludes from rap albums over the past decade plus, Jay Electronica has released his own tribute track over a loop of the interlude/beat the starts off Group Home's first album, a now classic offering that featured GURU.

Here are some other noteworthy songs deserving of attention that emerged in the wake of GURU's passing. Enjoy.

Jay Electronica -- Jazzmatazz (GURU Tribute)


Diaz Brothers -- Gone Too Soon


Capone -- Moment of Truth (GURU Tribute)


Fat Joe -- I'm Gone


DJ Doo Wop -- We Got Gunz (GURU Tribute/Solar Diss)


And finally, the BET Awards tribute:

BET Videos