Rest in Peace GURU

I had the honor meeting Guru backstage at a show in Los Angeles a few years ago. It was at the Wake Up Show "Back To Basics" party featuring Gang Starr and many others. While I was backstage, I ran into Guru as I was looking for the restroom and although he seemed quite busy speaking to an incredibly beautiful female, I said a few words as I passed by just to let him know I respect his music. He acknowledged with grace and I threw my fist out toward him, he connected his fist with mine receiving the respect, and then said to me "Yo, make sure you say what's up to Primo too" as he pointed at the room where Dj Premier was hanging out with some colleagues. I went and said what's up to Premier, gave him a cd, and kept it moving to the bathroom. Not too long afterward they rocked the show and as I watched from backstage, staring at the crazed fans in the front row, I remember thinking to myself how fortunate I felt to have just met them both randomly on the way to take a piss!

That was my only experience with Guru personally, very short but obviously very memorable for any hip hop head like myself who actually grew up memorizing his lyrics from album to album. I had been in his presence a few times after that, also at other shows backstage but that was actually the only time I spoke to him. Rest In Power Keith "GURU" Elam. In this unfortunate "MOMENT OF TRUTH" you will forever have "MASS APPEAL" without ever needing to sell out king. -Shux Wun

GURU of the legendary hip hop duo Gang Starr died April 20th 2010 of cancer at age 43. His fight against cancer was a secret that GURU did not want the public to know about. However, the public did know GURU suffered a heart attack and went into a coma recently, of which he was reported to have recovered from. The news of his battle with cancer came after he passed away, information provided by his most recent producer and business partner Solar. Most people remember GURU for the work he did with DJ Premier for the group Gang Starr as well as GURU's solo efforts with his JAZZMATAZZ projects featuring legendary jazz musicians.

"The world has lost one of the best emcees and Hip Hop icons of all-time," said Guru's producer Solar in a statement confirming Guru's death. "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." The producer referred to Guru as his "loyal best friend, partner and brother" additionally in the statement.

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