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.

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.