Guru Dies After Cancer Battle... ?

just got wind of this, dont know if true or not.

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R.I.P. Guru!

RIP

What! I thought he recovered. RIP my man.

This is horrible news for the Hip-Hop community...Ive been down with Gangstarr since i was a little kid stealing my older bro's tapes and would listen to them in secracy in my room....GANGSTARR POR VIDA...R.I.P GURU

Quote :

Guru has passed away yesterday morning (April 19) after a long battle with cancer.

According to Solar, Guru suffered from the malicious illness for over a year and after numerous special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed, the legendary MC succumbed to the disease. Guru always tried to keep this harrowing diagnosis in private but in early 2010 he had to admit himself to hospital due to serious effects caused by the disease.

Since the onset of illness, Guru tried to live a “normal” life as an influential and outstanding musician, loving father, family man, and best friend. Doctors encouraged Guru to think positive that the cancer can be arrested and that a full recovery is possible but several special treatments including hard hitting chemotherapies failed.

While in hospital with terminal cancer, Guru wrote a letter, which was provided by Solar, to his fans addressing his illness, his shining music career, his family and loved ones.

“I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options. I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting,” read the official Guru statement.

“My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody’s feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.”

The statement reads on, “I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do! As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life.”

Guru, born Keith Elam, rose to fame in the 80’s as the founder of the legendary rap group GangStarr. The group released the classic single Words I Manifest followed by their critically acclaimed debut album No More Mr. Nice Guy (1989) and the classic album Step In The Arena (1991). Guru was the first artist to truly blend Hip-Hop with Live Jazz beginning in 1993, and seeing the vast influences his Jazzmatazz concept has had on the industry, it is clear that Guru’s musical contributions have been way ahead of their time. Guru has worked with such great artists as Herbie Hancock, Isaac Hayes, Donald Byrd, Ramsey Lewis, Roy Ayers, Chaka Kahn, Branford Marsalis, David Sanborn, Bob James, Erykah Badu, The Roots, Common, Angie Stone, Jamiroquai, Macy Gray and Damien Marley, to name a few. Despite the fact that Guru isn’t hailing from New York, he is noted as a pioneer of the New York sound and true lyrical Hip-Hop. Guru later on joined forces with hit producer Solar and formed his label 7 Grand Records with the goal to keep “real” Hip-Hop alive.

Guru’s longtime partner, Solar, issues an official statement about the lost of the legendary MC which you can read below:

“The world has lost one of the best MCs and Hip-Hop icons of all time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru! Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it but tragically this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius. For the fans that reached out with love and support, I can’t tell you how much that meant to Guru and myself. Guru prepared this letter [read above] while he was in the hospital for the fans. I hope now that Guru has moved on to a better place! Guru is a great Black American Hero and should always be remembered as such and he is much more that just a Hip-Hop icon — he has changed the world for the better. I salute my fallen brother Guru! He will be missed tremendously!” Solar stated.

We will sorely miss Guru, both from a personal and from a professional standpoint. Our warmest condolences to Guru’s family and loved ones at this difficult time

RIP Guru, a legend will be missed, but that letter is cold

i bet Solar wrote it

Wow

Slang Editorial wrote:

RIP Guru, a legend will be missed, but that letter is cold

How could Guru find the negative energy, in that state, to put Premo on blast like that. That was a horrible way to end the legacy of the Premo/Guru partnership...in no way could i cosign that shit, no matter how big of a fan i am. I dont know what happened that would bring this much hatred between them...but i do believe Premo needs to come out publicy and explain his side as well...

The Homie, Acrid wrote:

Slang Editorial wrote:

RIP Guru, a legend will be missed, but that letter is cold

How could Guru find the negative energy, in that state, to put Premo on blast like that. That was a horrible way to end the legacy of the Premo/Guru partnership...in no way could i cosign that shit, no matter how big of a fan i am. I dont know what happened that would bring this much hatred between them...but i do believe Premo needs to come out publicy and explain his side as well...

Yeah, that was cold as hell. Premier should keep his mouth closed IMO though. Guru essentially put him in a lose/lose situation. If he responds, he's bashing the deceased. If he doesn't respond, hip hop fans are left with Guru's dying, damning words. So, he's stuck between a rock and a hard place. At least, keeping quiet will allow him to be respectful.

T. Myers wrote:

The Homie, Acrid wrote:

Slang Editorial wrote:

RIP Guru, a legend will be missed, but that letter is cold

How could Guru find the negative energy, in that state, to put Premo on blast like that. That was a horrible way to end the legacy of the Premo/Guru partnership...in no way could i cosign that shit, no matter how big of a fan i am. I dont know what happened that would bring this much hatred between them...but i do believe Premo needs to come out publicy and explain his side as well...

Yeah, that was cold as hell. Premier should keep his mouth closed IMO though. Guru essentially put him in a lose/lose situation. If he responds, he's bashing the deceased. If he doesn't respond, hip hop fans are left with Guru's dying, damning words. So, he's stuck between a rock and a hard place. At least, keeping quiet will allow him to be respectful.

I mean..he doesnt need to come out WWF Soap Opera style and respond to the letter..but instead in a respectful manner and in an adult manner, explain the beef...Id really hate to say this, but i think i can legitimately say it.......they owe it to the fans

I don't really approve with Solar or all this. Seems cold to basically have left his family out of the loop during this time. I think Solar was a bad influence that took over Guru in his last years.

RIP to one of the true greats. Gangstarr remains of one of my top 10 groups/acts/artists of all time and the combination of Guru and Primo will never be heard again. Sad day in hip-hop.

You gotta be kidding me...

RIP Guru

That was basically conjured up by Solar. Letter is a fake. Guru would never put Premo on blast like that.

RIP Guru.

Wow, rest in peace Guru. Time to spin the discog in your memory. I still can't believe it.

The Homie, Acrid wrote:

Slang Editorial wrote:

RIP Guru, a legend will be missed, but that letter is cold

How could Guru find the negative energy, in that state, to put Premo on blast like that. That was a horrible way to end the legacy of the Premo/Guru partnership...in no way could i cosign that shit, no matter how big of a fan i am. I dont know what happened that would bring this much hatred between them...but i do believe Premo needs to come out publicy and explain his side as well...

I agree, I just read the whole article that shit sounds weird. They sound like lovers or someting.

Okay, no disrespect to Guru, but he himself was quoted as saying that "sorry to the fans, but me and Solar are Gang Starr now" while he was alive. I don't buy into this whole conspiracy stuff. He was a man who sometimes made bad decisions and oftentimes some dope music. I don't like lionizing the dead, but I'm not trying to disrespect the man either.

This is the man, months before he got sick, saying the exact same stuff that letter says:

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KRob86 wrote:

The Homie, Acrid wrote:

Slang Editorial wrote:

RIP Guru, a legend will be missed, but that letter is cold

How could Guru find the negative energy, in that state, to put Premo on blast like that. That was a horrible way to end the legacy of the Premo/Guru partnership...in no way could i cosign that shit, no matter how big of a fan i am. I dont know what happened that would bring this much hatred between them...but i do believe Premo needs to come out publicy and explain his side as well...

I agree, I just read the whole article that shit sounds weird. They sound like lovers or someting.

My thoughts exactly. Sounded like it was more than a friendship.

been spinning the Gang Starr discog all day...bumped Step in the Arena now im halfway through Daily Operation

sad fuckin day

N3R0N0N Of 0nslaught3r wrote:

Okay, no disrespect to Guru, but he himself was quoted as saying that "sorry to the fans, but me and Solar are Gang Starr now" while he was alive. I don't buy into this whole conspiracy stuff. He was a man who sometimes made bad decisions and oftentimes some dope music. I don't like lionizing the dead, but I'm not trying to disrespect the man either.

This is the man, months before he got sick, saying the exact same stuff that letter says:

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Like i said, Guru released more than enough statements declaring his professional/social split from Premo..i would like to hear the other half...staying in silence is not the answer..2Pac took his distaste for DRE to the grave...yet DRE even went on wax to say that he missed him('2001').....this is bullshit...Guru made a last bad decision..still..RIP

Big ups to Scott Van Pelt(ESPNRadio) for doing a shout out to Guru on live radio and playing 'Full Clip' as the intro song to the show...

RIP Guru... Thank you and Preemo for being one of the first groups I ever discovered when I was barely getting into hip hop...

Yeah I was just saying that people like to forgive and forget and I'm not saying that's entirely wrong but let's not act like Guru couldn't have said those things.

N3R0N0N Of 0nslaught3r wrote:

Yeah I was just saying that people like to forgive and forget and I'm not saying that's entirely wrong but let's not act like Guru couldn't have said those things.

I got you..im not advertising any conspiracy whatsoever..Im saying Guru went public more than once..now its time to hear from Premo

RIP Didn't believe the rumors before and find it hard to believe now...

Damn, come home from school and hear this. I thought we was recovering as well. RIP Guru! Sad to see the legacy of Gang Starr come to an end this way. I don't like the way Guru went out but i guess he had his reasons.

Rest in peace to a legend!

R.I.P. Guru.

But that letter is a negative way to go out.

Don't know it this is nitpicking, but...

"Father" of hip hop/ jazz? Really? Did I miss something?

R.I.P. Guru...

Definitely a sad day. I'll be bumping all my Guru/Gangstarr works in his memory.

And not to nitpick (I see you Norf), but when the hell did Jazzmatazz Vol. 4 with Solar become the best hip-hop/jazz album of this decade? 3.75 star record IMO. Decent record, but no classic by any stretch of the imagination.

Maybe I'll start with that one...while I'm toking on this supreme bowl of greenery on this fine holiday.

I heard about Guru's death this morning on the radio and was saddened upon the announcement, however after hearing that letter puttin Premo on blast it makes me lose respect for him. I mean really, if it wasn't for Premo, he would have never had a career in the first place. There would have never been a GangStarr. The first couple Jazzmatazz albums were good, but never on par with GangStarr's discography. I still say R.I.P. but my planned self tribute to Guru ain't gonna happen now. That was seriously a bitch move. Guru's saying he was the sole founder of GangStarr?? C'Mon Son! GTFOH with that bullshit!!

KJ Styles wrote:

I heard about Guru's death this morning on the radio and was saddened upon the announcement, however after hearing that letter puttin Premo on blast it makes me lose respect for him. I mean really, if it wasn't for Premo, he would have never had a career in the first place. There would have never been a GangStarr. The first couple Jazzmatazz albums were good, but never on par with GangStarr's discography. I still say R.I.P. but my planned self tribute to Guru ain't gonna happen now. That was seriously a bitch move. Guru's saying he was the sole founder of GangStarr?? C'Mon Son! GTFOH with that bullshit!!

I was thinking the same thing...just wasn't gonna say it.

Ummm KJ I can tell by reading that, that Guru didn't write that bullshit man....I've heard that him and Preemo had some issues for a few years now but nothing so serious that on his deathbed he would want to put dawg on blast like that...Solar wanted control and he got it...and this has Solar "written" all over it (no pun intended)..you notice how it looks like Guru is basically saying that his work with Gangstarr is all secondary to what he has done with Solar....man Solar wrote that bullshit my dude! lol

R.I.P. Guru

D.Powell wrote:

Ummm KJ I can tell by reading that, that Guru didn't write that bullshit man....I've heard that him and Preemo had some issues for a few years now but nothing so serious that on his deathbed he would want to put dawg on blast like that...Solar wanted control and he got it...and this has Solar "written" all over it (no pun intended)..you notice how it looks like Guru is basically saying that his work with Gangstarr is all secondary to what he has done with Solar....man Solar wrote that bullshit my dude! lol

R.I.P. Guru

Exactly, that seems so obvious to me. Fuck that faggot.

"Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ" - making sure he is the go-to man to make money off his death.

The man is in his last stages of life, weak and in pain, he would be losing his brain function, dosed up on morphine and Solar used the situation to his advantage.

I doubt his dying wishes were make me sound like a prick that has a deep hatred for preemo and is in love with Solar, that's how i want to be remembered. He wouldn't have given a fuck about that shit. He would have cared about leaving his child behind, not celebrating his post gang starr work.

R.I.P. to a legend

Bushido Brown wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

I heard about Guru's death this morning on the radio and was saddened upon the announcement, however after hearing that letter puttin Premo on blast it makes me lose respect for him. I mean really, if it wasn't for Premo, he would have never had a career in the first place. There would have never been a GangStarr. The first couple Jazzmatazz albums were good, but never on par with GangStarr's discography. I still say R.I.P. but my planned self tribute to Guru ain't gonna happen now. That was seriously a bitch move. Guru's saying he was the sole founder of GangStarr?? C'Mon Son! GTFOH with that bullshit!!

I was thinking the same thing...just wasn't gonna say it.

Really? I mean, maybe Guru wrote it, maybe he didn't. But who gives a fuck? A hip-hop legend is gone....one of the best.

Alan wrote:

Bushido Brown wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

I heard about Guru's death this morning on the radio and was saddened upon the announcement, however after hearing that letter puttin Premo on blast it makes me lose respect for him. I mean really, if it wasn't for Premo, he would have never had a career in the first place. There would have never been a GangStarr. The first couple Jazzmatazz albums were good, but never on par with GangStarr's discography. I still say R.I.P. but my planned self tribute to Guru ain't gonna happen now. That was seriously a bitch move. Guru's saying he was the sole founder of GangStarr?? C'Mon Son! GTFOH with that bullshit!!

I was thinking the same thing...just wasn't gonna say it.

Really? I mean, maybe Guru wrote it, maybe he didn't. But who gives a fuck? A hip-hop legend is gone....one of the best.

I'm sad that he's gone Pounds because I loved GangStarr. Maybe Powell is right and he didn't write it. I'd like to believe he didn't. Sadly, we'll never know. If he did though, that's a bitch move.

This Solar kid is a fucking assclown. If he wrote it instead of Guru that just shows that he's jealous that he'll never be on Premo's level. I'll still listen to GangStarr and R.I.P. to Guru, but honestly amist this contraversy, it kinda changes the way I view Guru. Hopefully, Premo sheds light on the subject at some point, but I doubt he will.

R.I.P. Another unfortunate loss. He will be missed and I do thank him for the memories.

Bushido Brown wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

I heard about Guru's death this morning on the radio and was saddened upon the announcement, however after hearing that letter puttin Premo on blast it makes me lose respect for him. I mean really, if it wasn't for Premo, he would have never had a career in the first place. There would have never been a GangStarr. The first couple Jazzmatazz albums were good, but never on par with GangStarr's discography. I still say R.I.P. but my planned self tribute to Guru ain't gonna happen now. That was seriously a bitch move. Guru's saying he was the sole founder of GangStarr?? C'Mon Son! GTFOH with that bullshit!!

I was thinking the same thing...just wasn't gonna say it.

Fuck subtlety..all due respect of course

RIP Guru

I don't trust Solar, real convenient he comes out shining but whatever. Sounds like Solar wants to supplant Preemo. You can't tell his life story without Preemo.

I just order Moment of Truth the other day. And now I'm like damn! The will be my first Gangstarr album full length I've bought. I only had Full Clip.

Alan wrote:

Bushido Brown wrote:

KJ Styles wrote:

I heard about Guru's death this morning on the radio and was saddened upon the announcement, however after hearing that letter puttin Premo on blast it makes me lose respect for him. I mean really, if it wasn't for Premo, he would have never had a career in the first place. There would have never been a GangStarr. The first couple Jazzmatazz albums were good, but never on par with GangStarr's discography. I still say R.I.P. but my planned self tribute to Guru ain't gonna happen now. That was seriously a bitch move. Guru's saying he was the sole founder of GangStarr?? C'Mon Son! GTFOH with that bullshit!!

I was thinking the same thing...just wasn't gonna say it.

Really? I mean, maybe Guru wrote it, maybe he didn't. But who gives a fuck? A hip-hop legend is gone....one of the best.

Clearly me and K.J. give a fuck...

RIP Guru. All be listening to Gangstar all week

Powell, don't be an idiot. Even if Guru didn't write it, I posted a link to an interview where Guru said the exact same stuff that letter said.

There will be a lot of Gang Starr played this week. I listened to Daily Operation today. Tomorrow will probably be Moment Of Truth. I don't believe the letter at all. People don't know Guru because of Jazzmatazz releases, they know him because of Gang Starr. RIP Guru and thanks for the great songs and memories.

N3R0N0N Of 0nslaught3r wrote:

Powell, don't be an idiot. Even if Guru didn't write it, I posted a link to an interview where Guru said the exact same stuff that letter said.

Jeffrey don't be a DICK....another hip-hop legend is no longer here...neither to defend himself...nor raise his kids...nor give us the bangers that he previously created...so all of your Oprah Winfrey styled gossip means that your thong is once again EXPOSED.....Hey Jeffrey kill the noise!

R.I.P. Guru

Bushido Brown wrote:

Don't know it this is nitpicking, but...

"Father" of hip hop/ jazz? Really? Did I miss something?

???????


What purpose does this BULLSHIT serve on a thread when a hip-hop legend has passed???

this is just Norf speaking before thinking once again...you do this quite a bit Norf do you have some type of mental disorder or something man??? dude go bang your head on the wall and see if it clears things up a little bit...

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According to this article, he never regained consciousness from his coma back in February.

Powell, try reading what I said before you just blather on and on and on.

T. Myers wrote:

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According to this article, he never regained consciousness from his coma back in February.

apparently, solar's defense was that guru and his circle had known since january that the cancer was going to ultimately kill him, and that since then, or even before, Guru had recorded his thoughts about the Premo situation....at the end of the day, its all bullshit, legitimate or not...Gangstarr will live on

N3R0N0N Of 0nslaught3r wrote:

Powell, try reading what I said before you just blather on and on and on.

I did dipstick and it was all BULLSHIT!

R.I.P. Guru...plain and simple!