Gang Starr was an influential
East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of MC
Guru and DJ/producer
DJ Premier and a former
trio. The group was known mainly for their unique style, which combines elements of
New York swing jazz and
hip hop.
Background
The group was founded in
Boston, MA in 1985 by Guru (then known as Keithy E. The Guru) and DJ 1,2 B-Down (also known as Mike Dee) with various producers, such as
Donald D, J.V. Johnson or
DJ Mark the 45 King helping out. In 1987 and 1988, Gang Starr released three 12" vinyl singles on the
Wild Pitch label.
In 1989, the group split and the only member willing to continue under the name Gang Starr was Guru. He soon got in touch with
DJ Premier (then known as Waxmaster C) who sent him a beat tape which Guru liked. He invited DJ Premier to join Gang Starr and in that same year they released their first single "Words I Manifest" along with the album "
No More Mr. Nice Guy" (1989).
During their career Gang Starr helped pioneer the New York hip hop sound, and in fact, many an artist who achieved greater notoriety owes much of their sound, lyrical style, and even content to Gang Starr. The entirety of Gang Starr's catalog, especially
Step in the Arena (1990),
Daily Operation (1992) "
Hard to Earn" (1994) and
Moment of Truth (1998) are well-respected among critics. Their track "Jazz Thing", featured on the soundtrack to
Spike Lee's film
Mo' Better Blues, helped establish the sound of
jazz rap.
Gang Starr Foundation
Both members of Gang Starr have deep roots in the New York hip hop scene, despite hailing from
Boston,
Massachusetts (Guru) and
Houston,
Texas (DJ Premier), and have each worked with countless artists.
The
Gang Starr Foundation was a loose collective of various people who have worked closely with the group, through either Guru's now defunct Ill Kid label, DJ Premier's production work or the management company that Gang Starr was represented by, Empire Management. The founding member was Vikar.
Current status
It is undetermined if the group actually broke up. However, on
September 1,
2005, Guru has revealed in an interview with the hip hop online magazine sohh.com that the group doesn't exist anymore, but that it has ended instead of breaking up. This has finally cleared up the rumors that came up first on the European Gang Starr tour in 2003/2004 when DJ Premier suddenly went back to the US and Guru continued touring under the group's name with another DJ. However, in a
December 21,
2005 interview with the online magazine allhiphop.com, DJ Premier has denied that Gang Starr is history; he said it's rather a long break than a real break up. In a more recent interview from
April 20,
2006, with the online magazine hoodstars.net, Guru has stated he would not work with his previous partners anymore. In a newer interview he stated that Gang Starr has reached the peak and that he is out of the project.
To add even more to the confusion, DJ Premier said in a
November 21,
2006 interview with the XXL Online Magazine "If I confirm it, then it’s official. If I don’t confirm it, then we still together." On
September 21,
2007, he also told
Red Bull Music Academy; "If Guru wants to do it I’m down, it’s really up to him. He’s the one that said we should pause for a minute and if that’s how he feels fine by me. If he calls me tomorrow and says I’m ready to start, I’m ready."
Recently, on
twitter Guru wrote a message asking if the fans are "ready" for a new Gang Starr album, although there have been questions asking whether the producer for the album will be DJ Premier or Guru's current producer, Solar from 7 Grand Records. Hours later, though, DJ Premier's manager wrote on his twitter account that there wouldn't be any reunion with Guru and Premier.
Discography
Albums
Singles
- Words I Manifest/DJ Premier In Deep Concentration/Here's The Proof
- Positivity/No More Mr. Nice Guy (Remix)
- "Just To Get A Rep"/"Who's Gonna Take The Weight?"
- "Love Sick"/"What You Want This Time?"/"Credit Is Due"
- "Step In The Arena"/"Check The Technique (Remix)"/"Credit Is Due"
- "2 Deep"/"Take It Personal"/"Ex Girl to Next Girl"/"B.Y.S."/"Soliloquy of Chaos"
- "Code of the Streets"/"Speak Ya Clout"
- "Suckas Need Bodyguards"/"The ? Remainz"/"Now You're Mine"
- "You Know My Steez"/"So Wassup?"
- "The Militia"/"You Know My Steez (Three Men And A Lady Remix)"
- "All 4 Tha Ca$h"/"The ? Remainz"
- "Discipline"/"Just To Get A Rep"
- "Nice Girl, Wrong Place"/"Rite Where U Stand"
- "The Ownerz"/"Same Team, No Games"
Use of Gang Starr songs in media
Several of Gang Starr's songs have been featured in
video games. The first was "Just To Get A Rep" on
Thrasher: Skate and Destroy, followed by "Mass Appeal" on
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, "Moment of Truth" on
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2, "B.Y.S" on
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, "Now You're Mine" on
Skate, "Code of the Streets" on
25 to Life, "Full Clip" on True Crime:NYC, "Who's Gonna Take The Weight" on
Grand Theft Auto: IV, and "Step Into The Arena" in Skate 2.
The song "Above The Clouds" was featured in Steve Olson's part in Shorty's Skateboard video "Fulfill The Dream".
The song "Work" was featured on season 1 of the
HBO original series,
Entourage.
The song "Code of the Streets" was featured in the 2007 film
Freedom Writers.
The song "Full Clip" is featured between show segments of
The Jim Rome Show, a nationally syndicated sports talk show.
A portion of the song "Just to Get a Rep" is featured in an ESPN promotional ad for "ESPN College Gameday".
The song "Jazz Thing" is part of the soundtrack for
Mo' Better Blues.
The song "Zonin'" is featured in the
graffiti movie
Stockholm Subway Stories.
In 1998 the group collaborated with fellow New York rappers
M.O.P. on a track called "1/2 & 1/2" for the soundtrack to
Blade.
The song "Full Clip" is featured in Josh Kalis' part of the skateboarding video, the DC Video.
A song by the group, "Battle" was used in the film
8 Mile in 2002.
"Above the Clouds" was used in the soundtrack for NBA 08.
"Just to Get a Rep" is slated to appear on
DJ Hero and will be mashed up with
I Want You Back by the
Jackson 5. The songs are mixed by
DJ Yoda"Now You're Mine" is featured in CSI:NY "Heroes" episode.
