Their track "Jazz Thing", featured on the soundtrack to Spike Lee's film Mo' Better Blues, helped establish the sound of jazz-hop, although they themselves consider their sound solely straight hardcore hip hop.
The group was founded in 1987 with Guru, DJ 1,2 B Down, Mike Dee and various producers, such as Donald D, J.V. Johnson or DJ Mark The 45 King. In 1987 and 1988 they released three 12" vinyl singles on the legendary Wild Pitch label, and in 1989 Guru and DJ Premier (then working under the name Waxmaster C) met for the first time. In the same year they released their first single "Words I Manifest" and went on working together as a group for six albums, a 2 CD "greatest hits" compilation and numerous singles and soundtrack contributions.
Current status
On September 1, 2005, Guru 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 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 an 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 interview from April 20, 2006, with the online magazine hoodstars.net, Guru stated he would not work with his previous partners anymore. In a newer interview he said that "Gang Starr has reached the peak" and that he is out of the project.
Guru passed away after a long battle with cancer on April 19, 2010.
Code of the Streets
Gang Starr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause in the life they're living, you can't half step
It starts with the young ones doing crime for fun
And if you ain't down, you'll get played out son
So let's get a car, you know, a fly whip
Get a dent, pull a screwdriver, and be off quick
With a dope ride, yeah, and a rowdy crew
We can bag us a Benz and an Audi, too
Take a trip up the strip, and be like stars so
It doesn't matter if the cops be scoping
They can't do jack, that's why a young brother's open
To do anything, anywhere, anyplace
Buckwild in another court case
It's the code of the streets
They might say we're a menace to society
But at the same time I say "Why is it me?"
Am I the target, for destruction?
What about the system, and total corruption?
I can't work at no fast-food joint
I got some talent, so don't you get my point?
I'll organize some brothers and get some crazy loot
Selling D-R-U-G-S and clocking dollars, troop
Cause the phat dough, yo, that suits me fine
I gotta have it so I can leave behind
The mad poverty, never having always needing
If a sucker steps up, then I leave him bleeding
I gotta get mine, I can't take no shorts
And while I'm selling, here's a flash report
Organized crime, they get theirs on the down low
Here's the ticket, wanna bet on a horse show?
You gotta be a pro, do what you know
When you're dealing with the code of the streets
Nine times out of ten I win, with the skills I be weilding
Got the tec one dealing, let me express my feelings
Guru has never been one to play a big shot
It's just the styles I got that keep my mic hot
Anf fuck turning my back to the street scene
It gives me energy, so Imma keep fiends
Coming, just to get what I'm selling
Maybe criminal or felon dropping gems on your melon
So keep abreast to the GangStarr conquest
Underground ruffnecks, pounds of respect
I've never been afraid to let loose my speech
My brothers know I kick the code of the streets
The song Code of the Streets by Gang Starr delves into the reality of living in an urban environment characterized by crime and poverty. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of young individuals who engage in criminal activity to gain respect and financial stability. The song highlights the "code of the streets" that young people live by, whereby they seek to gain status through acts of criminality. The lyrics demonstrate that in such an environment, there is a constant battle to survive and avoid being played out or left behind.
The second verse of the song shows the frustration that comes with living in such an environment. The singer questions why society always targets them and not the system that perpetuates poverty and corruption. He urges people in his situation to organize and gain financial freedom through illegal activities like drug trafficking, which is seen as a source of quick and easy money. The lyrics blur the distinction between right and wrong and suggest that criminal activity is a means to an end. It depicts a reality whereby organized criminals benefit from the poverty and hopelessness that exist in such environments, leaving those who struggle to survive with few options.
Line by Line Meaning
Take this for example young brothers want rep
The youth want to earn respect in their neighborhood.
Cause in the life they're living, you can't half step
You have to be committed fully to the street life or you will be left behind.
It starts with the young ones doing crime for fun
The youth enjoy committing crimes and it becomes normalized for them.
And if you ain't down, you'll get played out son
If you are not involved with the gang and its activities, you will be ostracized.
So let's get a car, you know, a fly whip
Let's get a nice car for us to use in our crimes.
Get a dent, pull a screwdriver, and be off quick
We will make a dent in the car, then we will use a screwdriver to jimmy the lock and steal the car.
With a dope ride, yeah, and a rowdy crew
With a nice car and a group of tough friends, we can commit more serious crimes.
We can bag us a Benz and an Audi, too
We can steal high-end cars like BMWs and Audis.
Even a jeep or a van, goddamn, we're getting ours, yo
We will steal any car we can get our hands on.
Take a trip up the strip, and be like stars so
We can drive around the neighborhood and show off our stolen cars as if we are celebrities.
It doesn't matter if the cops be scoping
Even if the police are watching, we will still commit our crimes.
They can't do jack, that's why a young brother's open
The police cannot stop us, so we are free to commit crimes.
To do anything, anywhere, anyplace
We can commit crimes wherever and whenever we want.
Buckwild in another court case
We are likely to end up in court because of our criminal activities.
It's the code of the streets
This is how things work in our neighborhood.
They might say we're a menace to society
People may label us as dangerous and harmful to society.
But at the same time I say "Why is it me?"
Why are we being blamed when the system is corrupt and has failed us?
Am I the target, for destruction?
Is the system trying to destroy us?
What about the system, and total corruption?
The system is corrupt and the root of our problems.
I can't work at no fast-food joint
Ordinary jobs are not enough to meet our needs.
I got some talent, so don't you get my point?
We have other skills we could use to make money if given the opportunity.
I'll organize some brothers and get some crazy loot
We can make a lot of money if we work together and commit more organized crimes.
Selling D-R-U-G-S and clocking dollars, troop
We can sell drugs and make a lot of money.
Cause the phat dough, yo, that suits me fine
We want to make a lot of money because we are tired of living in poverty.
I gotta have it so I can leave behind
We want to make enough money so we can leave our poverty-stricken lives behind.
The mad poverty, never having always needing
We are tired of being poor and needing basic necessities.
If a sucker steps up, then I leave him bleeding
We are willing to use violence to protect ourselves and our money.
I gotta get mine, I can't take no shorts
We need to make money quickly and cannot afford to be cheated or undermined.
And while I'm selling, here's a flash report
While we are committing crimes, we pay attention to what is happening in the neighborhood.
Organized crime, they get theirs on the down low
Professionals in organized crime are careful and avoid getting caught.
Here's the ticket, wanna bet on a horse show?
We are willing to take risks with our money and gamble it away.
You gotta be a pro, do what you know
To succeed in the criminal world, you need to be skilled and experienced.
When you're dealing with the code of the streets
These are the rules of the criminal world and if you want to survive, you must abide by them.
Nine times out of ten I win, with the skills I be weilding
Most of the time, I succeed because I have developed my skills.
Got the tec one dealing, let me express my feelings
I have a gun and I am not afraid to use it if necessary.
Guru has never been one to play a big shot
I do not aim to be famous or rich, just successful.
It's just the styles I got that keep my mic hot
I am popular because of my unique style of rapping.
Anf fuck turning my back to the street scene
I am not afraid of the life on the streets and will not turn my back on it.
It gives me energy, so Imma keep fiends
The street life gives me motivation to continue my work and make money.
Coming, just to get what I'm selling
People will come to me to buy drugs and pay me a lot of money for them.
Maybe criminal or felon dropping gems on your melon
I might be a criminal or ex-convict, but I still have valuable knowledge to share.
So keep abreast to the GangStarr conquest
Stay informed and updated on the progress of the Gang Starr group and their work.
Underground ruffnecks, pounds of respect
We are a group of tough, street-wise individuals who demand respect.
I've never been afraid to let loose my speech
I have always been outspoken and unafraid to speak my mind.
My brothers know I kick the code of the streets
My fellow gang members know that I embrace and follow the rules of the streets.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Robert L. Russell, Keith Elam, Chris E. Martin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sean Jester
Here's why Guru was a genius and it's evident on this song. Other rappers rapping about crime are usually boasting, as if they're the ones out there doing the stick-ups. Guru is playing a character in a street drama. Never bragging, just telling you a story. Gangstarr was always deeper than your basic rap act. Maybe that's because Guru was older...who knows. But damn he was a genius.
Kevin Dube
Enough respect to Guru & to you for listening too but if you think he was the only one doing that you must be from the suburbs
mc shira m.o.s.s
right shit bro i had always seen the same
Guru was wise in a profound way
K DOGG
@Mr. A facts
Barthalomeow The Great
GURU aka God is Universal Ruler of the Universe
He’s the narrator or commentator of what’s happening on the streets or in society. He talks about perspectives on human dilemmas, and explores the impacts these dilemmas have on human behaviour, and human relations and ties it in with a moral philosophical lesson to teach us real wisdom. His music is really religious hymns hence his name guru
ZömbieRitüal
One of the best songs ever
Si photos 3
Guru was a professor of the game. Top 5 without any doubt.
TR RCH
Almost 20 years later, this song is still "tough"...
Music Power
I didn't see any promotion for this album when it came out so you can imagine the pleasant surprise I got when i went to the record store and saw Hard To Earn on the shelf. Didn't need to hear a single, it was a Gang Starr record, I copped it immediately. No hesitation and no thought involved. Took it back to the dorm room and studied it with my man Leo. Good times, RIP GURU.
Robert Julio
one of Premier sickest beats !