It seems like ever since we lost Guru, DJ Premier has pulled back on the amount of beats he’s producing for folks. It’s hard to imagine there was a time when Preem would produce entire LP’s for people – not just Gang Starr, but also affiliated acts like Jeru The Damaja and Group Home. Of course those albums laid the blueprint for the second stage of Premier’s career as a producer, which would find him being the go-to-guy for bigger rappers when they wanted that one “underground” cut for their albums. But he never turned his back on the actual underground; one such collaboration would bring us to this moment now, teaming with Royce Da 5’9 for 1999′s “Boom” single on Jonathan Shecter’s Game Records.

PRyhme is not the first album Premier has produced for one rapper since Gang Starr’s final LP, 2002′s The Ownerz, as there was The Kolexxxion with Bumpy Knuckles in 2012. However this does feel like the first chapter in perhaps a long new volume in both the careers of Royce and Preemo, as it succeeds on many levels. The sound here is different than what we may be used to from Preem, as he has used one sample source – the music of Adrian Younge – for the entirety of the LP. This gives the album a very unified sound that is very much an amalgamation of both producers’ respective styles. While Premier has said that he would like to use Younge again on another PRhyme LP, the question remains if it would start to bleed into too familiar territory with beats built around sounds that Souls of Mischief and Ghostface already rapped over. But as arguably the greatest producer of all time, Preem can likely easily avoid that.

But Royce makes it clear that he’s not really looking to fill the void left by Gang Starr’s departure, stating “And this is for the real hip-hop niggas who will never ever ever ask me am I here to replace Guru” on “U Looz.” He always been one to pull the curtain back and speak on the uncomfortable subjects, much like his Bad Meets Evil partner, Eminem. He addresses a newfound sobriety on the title track, where he reveals “Marshall said that I’d be a problem if I get my shit right / That if is probably the biggest ‘if’ I ever live by / Which is why I’m known as an underachiever, I just skip by / I needed to be inebriated to prevent me from getting shy.”

Royce plays with language in a way that sounds better in your ear than it reads off the printed page, as songs like “You Should Know” (featuring Dwele) and “Courtesy” just feature him flexing his lyrical muscles. The bar is raised high, as he enlists plenty of like-minded individuals to compete on these Preemo tracks, and most everybody brings their A game. Jay Electronica absolutely destroys his verse on “To Me, To You,” while Killer Mike and Schoolboy Q spar with Royce for the top spot on “Underground Kings.” The evolving “Wishin’” with Common also shines, as Royce and Com adapt to Preem’s sporadic tempo changes. There’s also “Microphone Preem,” with Slaughterhouse, the title a nod to Eric B. & Rakim’s “Microphone Fiend,” from which it takes its drums (so along with the cuts, maybe Adrian isn’t the only sample source.)

The guest verses are mostly all great and help jam pack this LP with memorable moments, but it does feel like the inclusion of these guests was in part to help finish the album quickly and stay away from heavier topical songs. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if there is a downside to PRhyme, it is that it is too short. While it would be hard to take an entire album of lyrical miracles, Royce knows when to open up, it’s just too bad there isn’t a little bit more of that here. No matter, the group has already announced an expanded edition of the album with 3 to 5 new tracks, one to feature MF Doom.

That being said, Royce and Preem have put together a very solid opening salvo to what hopefully is a much longer career as a group. Both members are equally yoked in terms of their respective talents, so them linking for a project like this is simply a no-brainer. Hopefully PRyme continues far into the future, with consecutive albums digging deeper into the groove found here.

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.

This rare image of a young Tupac Shakur and Guru is available now from the X-Label, whom handles all of Guru’s posthumous merch sales. Available now from X-Label.

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.
]]> http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/11/18/dj-premier-speaks-on-moment-of-truth-and-his-relationship-w-guru/feed/ 1 http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/10/04/keithy-e-guru-demo-tape-the-x-label-converse-shoe/ http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/10/04/keithy-e-guru-demo-tape-the-x-label-converse-shoe/#comments Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:34:30 +0000 http://www.hiphopsite.com/?p=38990 [cont.]]]>

The X Label is bringing to you this collaboration with The Ave Venice, located in Venice Beach, CA. The Ave Venice specializes in custom design utilizing cutting edge technology mixed with their own creative engineering and software development. The X Label in conjunction with The Ave Venice will be releasing 50 pairs of the limited edition Keithy E Demo Tape Shoe. Like the Keithy E Demo Tape t-shirt, the shoe consist of the cover of Guru’s first demo tape on the outer and inner parts of the shoe. The tongue of the shoe holds Guru’s signature “Keithy E” imprinted across the upper flap. This exclusive yet personal item will not only be marked by the shoe number but also our favorite Guru song 1-50. These exclusive kicks will sell out quickly and are only available through www.thexlabel.com www.theavevenice.com

Pt. 1

Pt. 2

Pt. 3

Craig G honors Guru’s passing today with this unreleased track they did together back in 2000.

LISTEN: Craig G – “Coming For You” (feat. Guru)

Craig G – “Coming For You” (feat. Guru)

Preem speaks with the HHC UK about his early days meeting Freddie Foxxx and The Guru, as “Regulate” plays in the background. #ripguru #ripnatedogg

As you can see from Q-Tip’s tweets, the Grammy’s fucked up big last night… We’re not talking about any of the awards (although we have some beefs there, too), but during the show’s in memoriam segment, where they left out Guru! Who’s gonna take the weight?

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.

The X Label & Listen Clothing present a new clothing line of official G.U.R.U. shirts. These have been put out by G.U.R.U’s nephew.

DJ Premier Blog gets the drop on the title track to Group Home’s upcoming Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal LP.

LISTEN: Group Home – “G.U.R.U.” (feat. Jeru The Damaja) (MP3)

Group Home – “G.U.R.U.” (feat. Jeru The Damaja) (MP3)