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Guru (Keith Elam) passed away

post #1 of 28
Thread Starter 
One of my adolescent years heroes passed away. Thanks for the great music and times you brought me. RIP

''I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options.

I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting.

My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody's feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.

I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do! As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life.''

AllHipHop.com Daily News - : Guru of Gangstarr Dies, Writes Letter To Supporters
post #2 of 28
Sigh…R.I.P. It's also kinda sad that, as per his deathbed wishes, he still hadn't reconciled with GangStarr partner DJ Premier.
post #3 of 28
Thread Starter 
Yes, for the fans its something unbelievable. Didnt know it myself and it dissapoints me to see this once great duo on bad terms. Other forums users even speak of Solar having manipulated that letter but thats where I end my share of the gossip. Curious how and if Premier and other artists he was once close with will react.
post #4 of 28
Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is.
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis.

Sucks that the end of his life is surrounded by such
circumstances
post #5 of 28
So sad, RIP Guru, I just cued up Jazzmatazz Vol.1 - truly a classic in hip hop.
post #6 of 28
Good Hip Hop memories, I will remember his work and will add some of it to my collection.

RIP Guru, you were awesome...
post #7 of 28
First Nujabes and now him... this is not a good year for hip hop.
post #8 of 28
I grew up listening to Gang Starr. One of my favorite hip-hop groups growing up. R.I.P. Guru.
post #9 of 28
Quote:
Originally Posted by A Love Supreme View Post
First Nujabes and now him... this is not a good year for hip hop.
Yeah... I hope this is the last for a long time.

RIP
post #10 of 28
It's too bad his passing is mired in all the controversy surrounding his relationship with Solar, rather than simply celebrating all he accomplished as an artist. Some people don't even believe that Guru wrote this statement.
post #11 of 28
I don't believe it...at all.

That last paragraph is all about Solar and "Hip-Hop/Jazz"

Get real Solar.

It's sad that Guru passed
post #12 of 28
The other half of Gang Starr. It's a shame him and Premier couldn't patch things up, even though Premier came to his side when he was hospitalized earlier in the year. I listened to a lot of Gang Starr today. It's a sad day in music. He was so young. I know 43 seems old in the music business years, but he still had some left in him.

I was hoping him and Premier would play this year at the Rock the Bells concert. I guess that was a pipe dream.

post #13 of 28
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheemo View Post
So sad, RIP Guru, I just cued up Jazzmatazz Vol.1 - truly a classic in hip hop.
I will as well. RIP Guru
post #14 of 28
R.I.P. and respect to a true lyrical giant, Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal.
You Know My Steez, Step In The Arena, Above The Clouds, Take It Personal, Who's Gonna Take The Weight, Beyond Comprehension, man so many dope joints influenced my style no question.
That "letter" is ultra suspect, I ain't buying it
post #15 of 28
You know they have DJ Premier's statement on that site too... looks like he took the high road
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