Gang Starr | Artist

Gang Starr was an American hip hop duo formed 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts by DJ/producer MC Premier and MC Guru. For the entirety of their association, they were based out of Brooklyn, New York. Gang Starr was at its height from 1989 to 2003, and are considered one of the best MC-and-producer duos in hip hop history. Founded in Morehouse College Boston, by three friends, Guru (then known as MC Keithy E.) who was planned to be a rapper/singer, Big Shug as the main MC and DJ Suave D (Shug's younger brother Dana) as their DJ. After Shug was imprisoned, Suave D quit the group, leaving Guru to enlist the services of MC Damo D-Ski and DJ 1, 2 B-Down (also known as Mike Dee). In 1989, the group split for the second time and the only member to continue was Guru. He got in touch with Houston, Texas native DJ Premier who moved to Brooklyn to join Gang Starr. In 1990, the group was signed to the Chrysalis record label by then A&R director and former rap music critic Duff Marlowe. The 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, helping pioneer the New York City hardcore hip hop sound. They are recognised for being one of the pioneers of jazz rap and Some of their top hits include "Mass Appeal", "Take It Personal", "Moment of Truth", "Full Clip" and "Above The Clouds". Standout albums include Step in the Arena (1991), Daily Operation (1992), Hard to Earn (1994) and Moment of Truth (1998). In February 2010, Guru suffered a heart attack, went into a coma, and died on April 19, 2010. DJ Solar, a long-time collaborator of Guru, said Guru chose not to go public knowing he had been diagnosed with myeloma.

Artist Website: wikipedia/Gang_Starr

Featured Albums: Gang Starr

Related Artists: Guru, Big Shug, DJ Premier