The group was founded in Boston, Massachusetts by Keith Elam (then known as Keithy E. The Guru) and DJ 1, 2 B-Down (also known as Mike Dee) with various producers, such as Donald D, J.V. Johnson or DJ Mark the 45 King helping out, their earliest recordings was in 1986 where they made various demos. In 1987 and 1988, Gang Starr released three 12" vinyl singles on Wild Pitch Records.
In 1989, the group split and the only member willing to continue under the name Gang Starr was Guru. He soon got in touch with Houston native DJ Premier (then known as Waxmaster C) who sent him a beat tape, which Guru liked. He invited DJ Premier to join Gang Starr and in that same year they released their first single "Words I Manifest" along with the album No More Mr. Nice Guy (1989). In 1990, the group was signed to the Chrysalis record label by then A&R director Duff Marlowe, a former DJ and Los Angeles Times rap music critic. The London-based label offered Guru and Premier unlimited artistic license and major-label distribution worldwide, a platform the group used to become one of the most influential hip hop acts of that decade. During their career Gang Starr helped pioneer the New York Cityhardcore hip hop sound. The entire Gang Starr catalog, especially Step in the Arena (1990), Daily Operation (1992), Hard to Earn (1994) and Moment of Truth (1998) are well respected among underground rap fans and critics. Gang Starr provided a track, Battle, for the sound track of the 2002 movie 8 Mile. Their track "Jazz Thing" was featured on the soundtrack to Spike Lee's film Mo' Better Blues.
As I deliver rhymes with ease and walk around with my head up I'm dead up serious so don't be getting too curious Motherfuckers always wanna know what makes me tick I'll pull a phrase out quick cuz I'm dipped and I'm slick You thought that I would slip cuz you seen me drinking forty's it shocked you then you told your friends you saw me Well say what you want cuz all of mine is in tact in fact I'll have you open like a hookers gap I like to catch a buzz cuz I get into the beats more MC's are washed up like dead fish on the seashore Save the talk cuz you know I walk that walk hitting city to city but I make my home in New York I know the time with this rap shit cuz they got it all backwards they need to take a hint or catch my microphone imprint Straight to the dome through the skull to the tissue Call me Guru I'll diss you if you're pressing the issue Not my style to be sweatin' all the stupid ass rumors I take it as a compliment and fuck you too If you're scheming on the chance to put a stain on my name Don't even think about it cuz ain't no shame in my game No shame in my game Stick to the subject I ain't afraid to be real a lot of MC's fake hard just to gain appeal I like some gangster rap, don't like the prankster crap so I get passed all that by kicking straight up facts There ain't no reason to shoot unless you got beef if you pull out and you don't use it than you may catch grief Toolies and techs ain't toys but kids got 'em today and if they're ready to spray best get the fuck out the way I try keeping my sanity by thinking of better times if I write clever rhymes then maybe I'll climb But what the hell's success if the mess ain't changing 50's still corrupt stupid gangs still bangin' Stick up kids still stickin' nasty hookers still trickin' all the pimps still pimpin' and all the crackheads trippin' While the dealers still sellin' so I'll refrain from the yellin' And the preachin' cuz who the fuck would I reach man Niggaz don't wanna stop that, they wanna live fat who'd wanna clean up their act when the papes come in stacks They live for the minute and they're all wrapped up in it it's an unfortunate state for many it's too late Now death stalks the streets and it's right at your gate so bug, lose your mind but I ain't goin' insane I'll kick the fly lyrics cuz ain't no shame in my game No shame in my game Life's a bitch so who are we to judge each other I know I got faults I ain't the only motherfucker Stuff I heard about you wasn't too cool you know like how you smoke wools and that your girl's a ho But I don't listen to shit unless the story's legit Knuckleheads need to quit cuz they be riding the dilsnick But I'll be taking care of business regardless and when it comes to rhyming you know I'm hitting hardest So you can kick dirt but in the end you'll feel pain you little sucker, there ain't no shame in my game
The result was some of the best jazz-laced instrumentals of the era from beatmakers already admired courtesy of work with their respective groups (Gang Starr, A Tribe Called Quest, Main Source, Pete Rock & CL Smooth).
As a founding member of Gang Starr, Premier and the late Guru helped the New York boom-bap sound get national acclaim and be the standard of Hip Hop throughout the 90s ... As Gang Starr, DJ Premier, and Guru put out six studio albums; No More Mr.
“I just wanna work this out and be good/ Don’t you wanna work this out, we should,” Russ croons on the hook, which envelope the Gang Starr member’s percussion driven backdrop ... 2024 Wavy Gang / EMPIRE.
As a founding member of Gang Starr, Premier along with the late Guru helped the New York boom-bap sound get national acclaim and be the standard of Hip Hop throughout the 90s ... As Gang Starr, DJ Premier and Guru put out six studio albums;�No More Mr.
READ MORE. Oasis – every album ranked and rated ... In some clips, people pretend to get into fights before taking to the stage ... @mardyj08 ... The legendary Gang Starr producer has previously worked with the likes of Dr Dre, Jay-Z, Nas and NotoriousB.I.G. ... .
The legendary Gang Starr producer has previously worked with the likes of Dr Dre, Jay-Z, Nas and NotoriousB.I.G. ... The re-work sees Gallagher sing to a grooving hip-hop beat that underpins ...
