Like he said on his 1994 classic “Mass Appeal,” Guru was “wild with my monotone style.” The lyricist rapped as if it were just you and him in a room talking. There was no need to yell. And with wise, impactful words in each rhyme, he always made you listen.
Guru died yesterday. In honor of one of hip-hop’s true legends passing, here are four of our favorite Guru and Gang Starr jams. Open up your ears and take a listen.
“Mass Appeal” from Gang Starr’s 1994 album, Hard to Earn
“Moment Of Truth” from Gang Starr’s 1998 album, Moment of Truth
“Down The Backstreets” from Guru’s 1993 solo album, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1
“Ex Girl To Next Girl” from Gang Starr’s 1992 album, Daily Operation
What was you favorite Guru track? Why? Let us know.
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I remember my best friend’s older brother playing this back in the day. RIP
favorite gangstarr track – DWYCK
favorite guru tracks – loungin’ and respect the architect
Definitely DWYCK or Ex Girl to the Next Girl
My favorite are Don’t Take It Personal, Mass Appeal, Moment Of Truth, Skillz and especially for this In Memory Of…. But there are so many other classics.
I loved Mass Appeal and Royalty with Jodeci.
Funny how EW ignored this entire genre until it became throughly destroyed by the industry.
“Work” from Moment of Truth.
I loved him on Sassy by Neneh Cherry. Perfect. RIP.
I saw Gangstarr open for Common back in 03 Been saw Gangstarr open for Common back in 03.ive been to a lot of concerts in my time definitely one of the best shows i saw.Got to meet n take a pic. w/Guru he was a cool man. Rite were u stand w/jada is dope but I love gangstarrs moment of truth LP a classic album all the way. R.I.P Guru
It’s Getting Hectic, a collaboration off the Brand New Heavies Album Heavy Rhyme Experience in 1992. Great freestyle rap by the Guru with the Heavies doing jazz-funk instrumental.
WE lOVE YOU GURU ALWAYS! WE ROYALTY BABY!
Dwyck, Mass Appeal, The Planet, Take it Personal, Trust Me, Just to get a Rep, Who’s Gonna Take the Weight and Gotta Get Over and Jazz Thing are some of my favorites. I hope people realize how great he was.
Im in my mid 30′s so, of course, I have a love/hate relationship with the hip hop artist of today. Back in the day, it was all about skill and rappers being true to the craft. Guru was one of those talented rap pioneers that helped to pave the way for various sub-genres of the day. He will be missed greatly.
Robin hood theory? You know my steez? Mostly tha voice? EW, stop fronting like y’all listened to Guru
just to get a rep!!!