The deadpan-voiced MC behind Gang Starr who fused rap with live jazz on Jazzmatazz Vol. 1.
MOODS · deadpan · confident · cool · jazzy · underground · socially conscious · smooth · hardcore · reflective · classic boom-bap
BIOGRAPHY
Guru (Keith Edward Elam, 1961-2010) was one half of Gang Starr, the Brooklyn duo he formed with DJ Premier in 1989 after relocating from Boston. Their 1991 album Step in the Arena helped define the template of underground hip-hop stardom, built on Guru's shockingly flat, confident delivery and socially conscious, hardcore lyrics. Gang Starr remained a touchstone of the genre until disbanding in 2003.
In 1993 Guru stepped out with Jazzmatazz Volume 1, pairing his rhymes with live jazz musicians rather than samples; the single "No Time to Play" reached No. 25 in the UK. He died in 2010 at 49 after a long illness, leaving behind a catalog that bridged hip-hop and jazz traditions.
WHY THEY'RE COOL
Guru's monotone delivery was a genuine break from the hyped-up styles of his early-90s peers, giving Gang Starr records like Step in the Arena and Daily Operation their cool, controlled menace. He then pushed further by inviting actual jazz players into the booth for Jazzmatazz Volume 1, treating hip-hop and jazz as a living conversation rather than a sample crate. NPR later singled out Gang Starr's broad appeal to rap fans across eras, a rare feat for a group so rooted in underground values.
GEORGE'S PLAYS
First time on the station.
PLAYED ON WOKE1
