Gang Starr Technique 101, Section D - Extra Credit

Gang Starr

"Form Of Intellect"

Step In The Arena - LP

Why?

As I told you before, I ran the SITA album into the ground. This is another heater from said album. Enjoy.

Gang Starr Technique 101, Section C

Okay, class.....

Today's lesson? We're exploring how to successfully marry two legendary samples to form one Hip-Hop classic.

The first:

Dizzy Gillespie

"Night In Tunisia"

The second:

James Brown

"Bring It Up"

The end result:

Gang Starr

"Words I Manifest"

The Dizzy Gillespie song forms the "Manifest" intro theme. The JB song, "Bring It Up" forms the meat & potatoes of the main "Manifest" track. This version of "Manifest" is actually the remix/video version. It's basically the same song, just a little streamlined and updated. It retains the same basic melody, while adding some extra bells and whistles.

This song introduced Gang Starr. I love this video. Premo scratching on the ground (dope kicks by the way, Preem). GURU dressed as Malcolm X. The prerequisite "posse" shot. A video where dancers actually---gasp---dance. You know what? In light of mourning GURU, seeing this video made me feel better.

Classic Hip-Hop. Puts a smile on my face.

Class dismissed.

G.U.R.U. - Moment Of Truth

PRESS RELEASE

The Elam family wishes to thank the fans of our son/brother/father uncle/nephew/cousin Keith aka GURU for the outpouring of love, concern and support.

Our hearts are broken by the loss of someone we loved so much. GURU was devoted to his young son, who will most keenly feel his absence.

GURU suffered from multiple myeloma for over a year. Accrued complications from this illness led to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. As a result, GURU was in a coma from mid February until his death and never regained consciousness. Early on the morning of April 19^th, he became hypertensive due to low blood pressure. He again went into cardiac arrest and slipped away from us.

GURU died far too young but he was, and we are, proud of all his many legendary musical contributions.

The family is not aware of any foundations established by GURU. We know and understand that countless fans want to express their condolences and love and, to that end, we are planning a memorial event in the near future that will be all-inclusive. Please look for further details from the family as they become available.

from The Elam Family

Technique 101, Section B

Wednedsay morning. I still can't believe it. GURU. Wow.

I'm teaching this Keith Elam/G.U.R.U./Gang Starr ish ALL week. I might even do a 4 week class. I'm doing my part. We're paying homage. The "chain and the star" won't die...not on my watch.

Okay, class, take your seats. Class is in session.

Song: "Watch What You Say"

Album: GURU's Jazzmatazz II (Chrysalis Records. 1995)

Why is this important?

C'mon, boys & girls. This one is a "gimme". Chaka Khan. GURU. Branford Marsalis. DJ Premier. Do I really need to expound on why this is dope? Do I really need to tell you how huge this is? This needs no commentary. Rarely, do these sorts of collabs work. Sometimes, it's difficult to align the greater aspects of the individual forces included. You may have great components, but that doesn't always make for a perfect stew. This? This works on so many levels. GURU's--just enough--lyrics. Chaka's vocal assist. Premo's jazz-infused boom bap. Branford? He brings it home.

Again: Chaka Khan. GURU. Branford Marsalis. DJ Premier.

It's like the Justice League of music.

Superheroes. Indeed.

Technique 101, Section A

I'm blown away, right now. One of my favorite emcee's from one of my favorite groups...Gone. Well, I'm carrying on the legacy. You wannabe rap kids need to take a lesson. Let me regain my composure. I got my chalk. I'm at the chalkboard.

I'm taking you to school. Class in session.

Song: "Check The Technique"

Album: Step In The Arena

Why is this important?

This song is damn near perfect. Execution. Production. Lyrics. Composition. It's just a well-crafted mix of the aforementioned ingredients. The loop of the strings. The way certain musical elements play out and then give way to other sounds on the track (i.e. the orchestra samples vs. the voice samples). It plays well in the ride. It bangs in the headphones. Then, we have GURU. He's not rhyming too modest. He's not trying to overpower the track. His voice compliments the track and vice-versa.

It's just a dude with a mic. Another dude behind the turntables.

That's Hip-Hop.

Don't let them tell you otherwise.

Happy Birthday, Marvin.

Marvin Gaye April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984.

Marvin Gaye's What's Going On album speaks to me. In my humble opinion, it is probably the best soul album ever created.

1971. The United States is locked in civil unrest. Vietnam is raging. The country is still recovering from the deaths of King, Malcolm X and John & Bobby Kennedy. The economy isn't so great. Marvin's friend and singing partner, Tammi Terrell, died a year earlier from brain cancer. With the world seemingly coming apart around him, Marvin Gaye went in the studio and recorded one of the most beautiful and socially relevant albums, ever committed to tape.

WGO is a standing document of the soul of man, dealing with forces beyond his control. The brilliance of said album lies in the threads that give the album its cohesiveness. It's as much swinging soul music as it is a collection of hymns set to R&B backdrops. It's Holy. It's pure. It's vulnerable. It speaks to the state of the world. It concerns itself with the livelihood of our children and future generations. It brings us to task for the environment. It talks about the war and its returning soldiers. It's sad. It's strong. It's equal parts church AND Soul Train.

It serves as a time capsule of the 1960's/70's. It's just as relevant in 2010.

Much has been said/documented about Marvin's life. The good.....and the very bad.

When it's all said and done, Marvin Gaye should be recognized for what he truly was---a musical prophet.

I don't think that we realize how much of a genius Marvin was/is. I don't think we realize how much of a genius work What's Going On really is. It is one of the most profound musical statements of the 20th Century.

Happy Birthday, Marvin Gaye.

Amen.

Hey Baby, What'cha know good?

I'm just gettin' back, but you knew I would.
War is hell, when will it end?
When will people start getting' together again?
Are things really gettin' better, like the newspaper said?
What else is new my friend, besides what I read?
Can't find no work, can't find no job my friend,
Money is tighter than it's ever been.
Say man, I just dont understand
What's going on across this land.
Ah, what's happening brother.
Oh ya, whats happening my man?
Are they still getting' down where we used to go and dance?
Will our ball club win the pennant, do you think they have a chance?
And tell me friend, how in the world have you been?
What's the deal man, what's happening
Whats happening brother?
Ah, what's happening brother
What's happening my man?
Ah, what's happening brother
What's been shakin' up and down the line
I want to know 'cause I'm slightly behind...the times.