Raekwon spits over Gang Starr’s “Mass Appeal”, which has to be in the top 5 best beats of all time.

Legendary producer DJ Premier sits down with Mass Appeal to explain the mindset behind their Gang Starr-inspired collaboration and how the original Gang Starr logo first came to be. Created by Guru and Big Shug, Premier explains, “the chain is the bond of the artists and the star is the talent inside the chain”. See the t-shirt design at shop.massappeal.com.

On Friday, legendary DJ, Mister Cee, delivered his Throwback At Noon mix to the late great Keith “Guru” Elam of Gang Starr.

Two videos released in remembrance of Guru’s death three years ago. The first is Moment Of Truth, a lost interview with Guru from around 2008-2009. Director Matt Hobbs says:

Back in late 2008 and early 2009 we had the the biggest privilege to be able to spend some time with Guru before he passed away. At the time we did not know he had such a shot time left with the world, it just was the biggest opportunity we ever imagined to be apart of. After his passing, we respectively sent all the footage to his family and assumed that we would never put the content out. But now that its been a few years, we feel obligated to share everything that Guru opened up to us…to you. We’re truly honored and privileged to present Guru, in one more “Moment Of Truth”.

The second video is the original EPK for Gang Starr’s Step In The Arena LP, recently digitized from the original Chrysalis VHS tape from 1991. Check out both videos below. R.I.P. Guru.

GURU – MOMENT OF TRUTH from Vital Films on Vimeo.

THE X LABEL brings to you a limited edition recreation of Guru’s (MC Keithy E) Demo Cassette Tape. This recreation of Guru’s demo cassette tape consist of the exact image Keithy E made for the cover, Keithy E’s handwriting of the songs on the tape, and the actual songs from the demo. Pop it in your vintage boombox to listen to Guru’s never before-heard songs or put it on a mantle and keep it as an amazing collectors item that was a part of the foundation of Guru’s hip hop legacy.

Tape info: In 1986 MC Keithy E (now known as GURU) completed a demo tape that featured the early members of GangStarr; DJ Mikey Dee and Damo D (Beat Box). The tape that was recorded at “Radio One” studios in Boston, includes multiple racks featuring the young Guru rhyming and displaying his singing voice over a bare drum machine. The demo tape was clearly made and sent directly to Magnus Johnstone (a local DJ/Radio Host in Guru’s hometown of Boston) for his show. Both the demo tape’s cover and the actual tape are labeled “for Magnus”. Magnus Johnstone founded Lecco’s Lemma radio show in 1985. It was a groundbreaking hip-hop radio show, the first of its kind in Boston and one of the only rap radio shows in the world at that time. What made it even more revolutionary for the emerging Boston hip-hop scene was that Magnus encouraged local rap groups to come down to the station and perform on the air. Since the show was Boston’s outlet for up and coming hip hop artists, it was a big deal to appear on the show. This demo tape earned MC Keithy E and crew the right to be on the show and share their talents to the listeners.

Get yours now from TheXLabel.Com.
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Premo starts off the interview by talking to Nick Huff Barili about the Re:Generation project, working with Slick Rick and confirming that he is still collaborating on an album with Nas (Yes its true!!!). In the second part of the interview, Premier says that he has not talked to Solar before or after Guru’s passing and he regrets the way controversy surrounded Guru’s passing. Premo ends the interview by sharing Gangstarr memories.

DJ Premier speaks candidly about what his favorite album that he produced was, and about his rocky relationship with Guru.
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Spax, a German emcee, collaborated with Guru on a track called “Traume” in 1999, while in support of Gang Starr’s Moment of Truth tour. The song has been given an updated remix treatment for this video, which shows newly uncovered footage of Gang Starr on stage and in the studio. R.I.P. Guru, Fuck Solar.

]]> http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/11/05/newly-discovered-gang-starr-studioperformance-footage/feed/ 7 http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/04/19/dj-premiers-tribute-to-guru-on-hot-97-2-hrs/ http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/04/19/dj-premiers-tribute-to-guru-on-hot-97-2-hrs/#comments Wed, 20 Apr 2011 04:59:33 +0000 http://www.hiphopsite.com/?p=33214 To remember Guru’s passing one year ago, DJ Premier paid homage on Hot 97 tonight, playing Gang Starr hits, remixes, and rarities for 2 hours. Do what ya can kid….#ripguru #fucksolar

Pt. 1

Pt. 2

Pt. 3

Yesterday after his interview with Bow Wow, Sumit head down to the Jazz Cafe to chop it up with Lil Fame and Billy Danze before they hit the stage in London. In this part of the interview, M.O.P. speak on their most memorable studio moment from the Warriorz album which included their manager Laze being arrested. Then Fame and Billy talk about the first time they met DJ Premier. Fizzy Womack reveals he used to DJ under the name of DJ Slap. They also speak on why Premier is so humble. Billy Danze recounts his first conversation with Fat Joe after Joe’s brand new White Lexus was stolen. Finally M.O.P. take Sumit back to the moments they met Bumpy Knuckles and Guru (R.I.P.).

World renowned saxophonist Branford Marsalis speaks candidly about Guru and the internal struggles he had as a Hip Hop artist. Marsalis tells of Guru feeling pressure to portray the glorified street lifestyle even though that wasn’t his real lifestyle. He also speaks on what prompted him to create the Buckshot LeFonque album with close friend DJ Premier. Lastly, he also talks about why he and Harry Connick Jr. started the New Orleans Habitat Musician’s Village for musicians who were Hurricane Katrina survivors.

DJ Premier Interview w/ HipHopSite.Com from HipHopSite.Com on Vimeo.

DJ Premier speaks with HipHopSite.Com’s Nene Wallace Reed about his upcoming Year Round Records compilation, future projects, and the final Gang Starr album.

Gang Starr Foundation duo consisting of Lil Dap & Melachi the Nutcracker are back with a brand new album for the 2010!! This came out of nowhere considering the fact we haven’t heard from these guys in about a decade. Turns out, Melachi the Nutcracker just got out of jail, after being locked up for about ten years or so. The album is slated to drop towards the end of September and will be called “Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal”. Fitting name in ode to the recent passing of Guru from Gang Starr. Hopefully they will get some DJ Premier tracks and that it comes out correct.

By Logek, Cope, Deem, Sen, Gusto, Meres and OD, located at 174th St between Park and Webster in the BX. We thought for sure this would happen first in Brooklyn, The Planet. Big ups to DJ Premier Blog for finding this out.