What a class act.. and good man.. DJ Premier did what any ‘real adult’ would do.. He showed love.. make3s me even angrier that such an ugly letter smashing him was allowed out by Solar..
IT WAS A SAD DAY FOR ME TO GET CONFIRMATION ON THE DEATH OF A MAN WHO I WILL CONTINUE TO CALL MY BROTHER, KEITH ELAM, BETTER KNOWN AS GURU OF THE LEGENDARY GANG STARR.
FROM 1988-2004, WE EXPERIENCED SO MUCH SUCCESS TOGETHER THAT WE WERE ABLE TO EXPAND OUR BUSINESSES INDEPENDENTLY AND GIVE EACH OTHER WHAT GURU CALLED “CREATIVE SPACE”, BEFORE PLANNING TO REUNITE FOR OUR 7TH LP WHEN THE TIME WAS RIGHT. TRAGICALLY, WE WILL NEVER REACH THAT DAY.
I’VE BEEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON A LETTER SPEAKING ILL OF ME WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY WRITTEN BY GURU IN HIS DYING DAYS. ALL I WILL SAY ABOUT IT IS THAT OUR TIME TOGETHER WAS BEAUTIFUL, WE BUILT A HIP HOP LEGACY TOGETHER, AND NO ONE CAN RE-WRITE HISTORY OR TAKE AWAY MY LOVE FOR HIM. ONE THING I WOULD NEVER DO IS PLAY AROUND WITH THE TRUTH ABOUT HIS LIFE.
I WILL CELEBRATE GURU’S LIFE… I WILL HONOR HIS MEMORY… I WILL GRIEVE WITH THE ELAM FAMILY OVER HIS UNTIMELY DEATH… I WILL REMEMBER THE GANG STARR FOUNDATION AND ALL OF THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF GANG STARR WHO CAME BEFORE ME – WE ALL KNOW EACH OTHER… MOSTLY, I WILL CHERISH EVERYTHING WE CREATED TOGETHER AS GANG STARR, FOREVER. I’M GONNA MISS HEARING HIS SIGNATURE MONOTONE VOICE WHEN HE WALKS IN THE ROOM, BUT THE SONGS WILL ALWAYS BRING IT BACK TO ME….HIS RHYME FLOWS WERE INSANE, AND I WILL NEVER REMOVE HIM FROM MY HEART AND SOUL…….REST IN PEACE TO THE MAN WHO FELT “SATISFACTION FROM THE STREET CROWD REACTION” … I LOVE YOU GOO…….DJ PREMIER
A Class act all the way. Much Love to DJ Premier and Rest in Peace to one of the True Hip Hop Pioneers, Guru.
Class Act Man..
It is a tragic loss but I hope people will get real about homosexuality and the hip hop community. It is real. We are here.
Guru is said to have succumbed to multiple myeloma. This cancer is most commonly related to HIV and AIDS. I know. I have lost people close to me to this. (you can also Google it)
Guru’s sexuality and his death to a disease he most likely contracted 20+ years ago does not diminish his greatness. And before everyone turns Solar into Yoko, I think they should at least consider the fact that Guru didn’t feel like he was capable of coming “out” in the hip hop world.
From what I hear and from what Solar is confirming, Keith’s family did not and would not accept his sexuality. I find it interesting that no one here or elsewhere in hip hop will discuss it. I thought we were supposed to be open minded? Accepting? And you wonder why Prop 8 passed in California? It only passed because too many black people voted for it. This is a problem in our communities. Get real. AIDS is still real and plenty of black men are gay and in the closet. Dave, I know you know this.
I can’t help but notice that there is no footage of Guru speaking so negatively of Primo. I know there were disagreement, but i’m a little suspicious Guru’s supposed letter. We’ll probably never know where the truth ends and the deceptions begain. Therefore, i’ll just say RIP to one of my top ten all-timers on the mic and god bless Primo as he has always blessed the culture.
If Guru had “come out”, I wouldn’t have agreed with it, but I would still bump his music. So long as he doesn’t rap about the gay life. Key word is “if”. I would need some proof before I believe the Guu was gay.
@ JD: Aren’t you making some BIG assumptions here?
First of all, If–and neither you nor I know this for sure—Guru died of a form of cancer commonly associated with HIV/AIDS, that does NOT necessarily mean that it resulted from homosexuality. Excuse me, but hetersexuals are just as vulnerable to being infected and in fact the latter have been MORE vulnerable of late. And then what’s with the “he probably contracted it 20+ years ago”?! What qualifies you to make such a statement aand even speculate? Moreover, isn’t it possible that Guru’s sexuality is not being discussed by his family–or anyone else for that matter– simply because it isn’t incumbent upon them to do so? Having lost a son myself, I can tell you the grief is so immense and immediate that the last thing you feel compelled to do is worry about what other people may think with regard to the circumstances of your loved one’s death. I don’t know–and neither do you–if he was gay or not and I really don’t care. What matters is that he was a hip-hop legend who gave us many years of amazing, authentic hip-hop and he’s gone now and will be deeply missed and people are hurting because of his death; particularly, his family and close friends. You’re right about Prop 8, but to use this forum–and especially this sad event–as a platform to spotlight your political view is really disrespectful in my opinion and totally inappropriate! BTW, of course we know there are Black gay men in the closet…Duh!
..my last comment was specifically directed to jdr
Damn, just when I was looking forward to a Gangstarr re-union album, the legend passes on. Guru and Premier were like the Sun and Moon, their combination was out of this world.Much Love and Respect to the legend and as long we have you on wax god, your spirit will forever remain with us. Sleep in Peace, great one.
And to jdr, take your sodomite bullshit somewhere else, not on Guru`s legacy, pathetic dyke.Give Solar a call I am sure he`ll be interested in Greek same gender copulation, you sicken me nigger .
@jdr quit being like soalr and tryin to tarnish the man’s image in death. Pure speculation on your part. people w/ Aids also die from pneumonia, does that mean folks who die from die from pneumonia have Aids? no, that is called a logical fallacy.
Ok you all disgust me (bar angie who is the only person to have made any sense oh and the first two as you guys seem to understand what should be on these posts.)
Some one has died and you people are on here bickering like children. I never comment on forums… ever! but this angere me so much that i want to say my bit.
JDR angie said it best so all ill say is turn it in, this is neither the time nor the place.
Ghost of shaka check your attitude there’s no need for all that.
knowbody…. if you dont agree with it you should be ashamed of yourself. each to their own…. if you dont agree with it you aint listening to what people like guru are sayin brother.
It amazes me that people even let rumours about something that is so irrelevent to the situation cloud over what really matters.
We all lost a pioneer and a true soldier. Guru’s family lost a brother, a son, a loved one!
JD, guru doesnt need you to speak for him, and he doesnt need anyone else defending him. He was strong and he faught.
Just pay your respects people.
Much love GURU! R.I.P
jdr – you are very ignorant and disrespectful. The fact that no decent person is discussing it at this time is it is irrelevant in this context.
It’s not the time or place to discuss it. The truth always finds a way to come out and over time maybe when Solar passes or a real letter from Guru emerges we’ll find out. But it’s a trivial thing, the most trivial thing when we’re reflecting on a lifetime of art, to care about the sexuality of the artist.
Listening to Gangstar and sipping lemonade is what I’m up to, cuz :
“Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is…” RIP
I think alot of things are being discussed about Guru.. People are talking about his music, talking about his brilliance, his love of jazz..etc. People are also talking about his drinking and like it or not folks are talking about his relationship with Solar and the many questions it has raised. Much of this conversation has come about because of Solar himself, the secrecy around Guru’s condition, the contradictions and of course the letters.. If folks are upset be upset with Solar because he opened the door with his behavior..
In addition, many writers and DJs have been talking because the Guru of the Gang starr days (him and Premier) is not the same cat who with Solar. Lots of writers, promoters etc all have stories that range from upsetting to outright bizarre.. and like it or not one of the consistent narratives is what was the nature of the relationship..with people asking Were they lovers? Was Guru being abused? Hell Freddy Foxx put that out there yesterday in his statements. Alot of speculation has been out there before Guru passed and heightened when he got ill and later passed..
Nobody likes to see the image of their heroes tarnished. Sadly for us its been a long long time since we have NOT had someone pass and there not be controversy surrounding their death..From Michael Jackson on down… Pick a name and folks have something to say.. even many of us..
Personally if Guru was gay I could care less and nor should you.. and I hope the responses being posted here are based around the desire to end speculation of any type and be on the level of Premier with our thoughts and remarks. If its bc of disdain and discomfort about sexuality, then thats another matter… Folks will have to deal with on their own..
I wish the family peace and offer up prayers I think these letters and controversy they set off around Gurus death are heartbreaking enough..
Anyone here not payin’ their respect to a Hip Hop icon can eat a bag of cocks!
IF Guru was DL (closeted gay), we are ALL to blame!
Take Two and Pass! 4Ever Guru (RIP)!
One,
DJSOUL – OUT Hip Hop Never Felt So Good!
..i twist you up like french braids or tighter like corn braid, strong like police raids to never be delayed, i once was the least paid but i made the grade.. this ain’t a slave sale and i ain’t the same scale rapper – no i’m not a phony microphoner with no class or not type of real appeal or real talent and it makes me violent man – to see all of these bbd mc’s wannabees making g’s cause dumb companies have no idea of wack or what is dope, so here’s what the guru wrote….
from my all time favorite Gangstar song wher the Guru goes insane – Check the Technique… RIP! thanks especially for the koncious stuff!!
big ups to Premier for addressing the situation is such a respectful and classy way. nothing more needs to be said.
Davey
I hear that noise to and I spent time when he was first hospitalized speculating about the relationship with Solar. But the jdr post was stating his/her own speculations as fact and then using those made up facts to validate her own politics. Add to that the ignorant mythology that only gay men get aids and you can see why that post has a few of us mad.
You’re the reporter we all trust. I will wait for you to uncover the story and read it then.
Peace – what’s tacky is people needing to LOOK LIKE they know something when they don’t. This happened with Roc Raida’s death, Frosty Freeze’s death and on and on People spread info on social networking sites with no sense to fact check. I’ve seen people try to send releases to allhiphop.com that even a man’s family didn’t release or know about. If you are worried about sins – speculation is about as close to lie-ing as you can get – since you don’t even know if it’s true. People announce death and it’s all over twitter before even the body is cold. People do more PR for people AFTER they die. If you are a fan of someone – spread news about their shows, new releases etc. NOW while they are alive. Don’t be a death publicist – be a life publicist! Rest in PEACE to a super talented MC who’s work I’ve enjoyed since the early 90s. Props to Premier for staying classy and above the nonsense. Peace
Christie I am quoting u on that..
I like to pass my condolences to on Guru passed away. I was shocked and was saddened to hear the sad loss of a Hip-Hop legend.
My thoughts are with you also every one associated with the Gangstarr Foundation and Guru’s friends and family.
Guru will be missed very much and the hip hop culture from around the word will not be the same without him.
Peace
Guru was legendary but still highly underrated. His name didn’t come up as often as it should when discussing the best MC. That is probably because he doesn’t shout or junp all in your face with it. You have to stop what you’re doing and pay attention, something few of us do. Guru was an unbeatable battle MC while growing up. None of the rappers in the top ten would survive a head to head with him. Guru sheaded all gimmicks and let his talent shine on it’s own.
I just wanted to pay my respects to the legendary GURU. His lyrics kind of nurtured me during my high school and college years. The monotone always got me ready for a big cross country or track meet. No matter what caused his death, he will always be remembered as one of the greatest…….”have a strong mind……..and try to say your prayer.”
This was a good read! http://soundclick.com/superbeatman
So what if he was a bottom in some homo-abusive relationship. It could happen to anybody right?
Doesn’t change the fact he was a gifted rapper.
(too bad he was hypocritical though, because I’m pretty sure he had some anti-homo lyrics…must have felt pretty shitty about spitting those lines….I guess that was part of the lie.)
You faggots have got a one track mind.So much so that none of you check the facts.
I don’t watch TV anymore,it’s shit (I’m in the U.K so pity me) so I never knew Guru had died.Am gutted (London for upset) he’s no longer with us.I listened to his stuff all the time when I was a kid,I still do now sometimes.I always considered him one of the best,and I think I liked him because he didn’t have to swear or say ‘bitch’ or ‘suck my dick’ as,in my opinion,lesser talented rappers did.
I kinda stopped listening to Hip Hop as much when Gangster rap kicked off.I always preferred the pre-gangster Hip Hop,it was more fun and the rappers seemed more skilled that the ones that shouted.Anyway,really sad he’s gone.And some of you people need to stop worrying about wether he was gay or not,it’s not the 50’s for God’s sake.Just remember how great he was,not who he slept with
Peace