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.
Gusto
Gang Starr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
cause draws applause, yes I adore this
I'll reteach with speech, I can accomplish
I've got to flaunt this, I'm not a pessimist
Yo I'm an optimist, that's why I'm droppin this
I'm good I got style, cause I've stood for a while
In the shadows of the others gettin mellow with the brothers
called the Gang, and yes I can hang
I've got gusto
"My man gots that gusto" "Word"
I've got gusto
"My man gots that gusto" "Word"
You say your rhymes flow, I say I'm spontaneous
Rockin the place, I'm not mainly just
sayin some words that are weak or incoherent
And it's apparent, that you fear us, the Gang
but I'm still a peace seeker
I'm in your face, don't have to sneak ya
Dope rhymes speaking with wisdom of a preacher
and I'm here, cause you've been victimized
I'm sincere, I see through gifted eyes
So yo, we're gonna see what the race is
That's where you groups, will have to face us
And you can bet we'll be in tip-top shape
Nice so precise with a hip-hop update
Wait, I got a shoutout for the ladies
Come check me baby, don't underrate me
Cause I'm a man with the plan for all
The Guru, to groove you, get out the wall
I've got gusto
"My man gots that gusto" "Word"
I've got gusto
"My man gots that gusto" "Word"
I've got gusto, so I'm kickin it well
I got gusto, with much clientele
So I pump it, to a higher decibel
Have a seat, listen cause the rest it goes smooth
and improve and bust a move
I am the man with the true blue potential
I am essential, I drive you mental and back
Attack mack and rap
And as you calm I will romp
Like a giant I stomp
I've got gusto
"My man gots that gusto" "Word"
I've got gusto
"My man gots that gusto" "Word"
Really? Right, you want to be a emcee?
Then go against me -- boy don't even tempt me
Cause I go house on the freestyle tip
Math you and blast you and then just shift
into hype gear, no fear, I persevere
Year after year, rehearsin verse so clear
Cause I've been into rhymin man for like eons
And every stage, word I want to be on
So I can show you how it's gotta be done
I never run or shun, I've just begun
I've got gusto
"My man gots that gusto" "Word"
I've got gusto
"My man gots that gusto" "Word"
"My man gots that gusto" "Word"
"My man gots that gusto" "Word"
Ah yeah, gusto
The Gang Starr song "Gusto" is all about the confident attitude and powerful style of the emcee. In the first verse, Keith E.E. is proclaiming his own abilities and commitment to the craft, stating that he can accomplish anything with his speech and deserves to flaunt his skills. He even goes so far as to call himself an "optimist," indicating that he sees a bright future for himself in the music industry. The chorus, which repeats the phrase "I've got gusto," underlines the overall theme of confidence and swagger.
In the second verse, Keith E.E. turns his attention to other emcees who try to claim they have flow, but lack the spontaneity and coherence necessary to truly excel. He taunts these emcees by saying that they fear the Gang Starr crew, and that Keith E.E. himself is a "peace seeker" who will speak truth to power. The final verse is perhaps the most confident of all, with Keith E.E. declaring himself the "man with the true blue potential" who will "rehearse verse so clear" until he is the best.
Overall, "Gusto" is a song that celebrates the power of a talented emcee who has worked hard to perfect his craft and is not afraid to take on anyone who doubts his skills.
Line by Line Meaning
Keith E.E. emcee on a spree I'm goin for this
Keith E.E. is on a spree as an emcee doing what he loves
cause draws applause, yes I adore this
He loves to feel the excitement and recognition of the audience
I'll reteach with speech, I can accomplish
He can teach, inspire and educate people by his music and speeches
I've got to flaunt this, I'm not a pessimist
He is not pessimistic and he needs to show off his talents
Yo I'm an optimist, that's why I'm droppin this
He's optimistic about his future and therefore he's writing this song
I'm good I got style, cause I've stood for a while
He has developed his own style by working hard over time
In the shadows of the others gettin mellow with the brothers
He has learned a lot by being around and learning from other artists in his group
called the Gang, and yes I can hang
Gang Starr is his group and he's proud to be part of it
Progressin with my lesson while I do my thang
He's constantly learning and developing his skills while doing what he loves
I've got gusto
He's got the passion, skill, power and determination for success
"My man gots that gusto" "Word"
His friends and fans acknowledge his passion and talent
You say your rhymes flow, I say I'm spontaneous
He is a natural with his rhymes and doesn't need to put in extra effort for flow
Rockin the place, I'm not mainly just
He's not just an average performer, he's a great performer who can rock any place
sayin some words that are weak or incoherent
He doesn't deliver weak or confusing lyrics
And it's apparent, that you fear us, the Gang
Other groups fear and respect the Gang Starr
but I'm still a peace seeker
Despite his bold and strong personality, he is still a peaceful person
I'm in your face, don't have to sneak ya
He's not afraid to face anyone, he faces them directly
Dope rhymes speaking with wisdom of a preacher
His lyrics and wise messages have the power to inspire and teach people
and I'm here, cause you've been victimized
He's here to express his frustration and call out those who are oppressed and victimized
I'm sincere, I see through gifted eyes
He sees the world with a unique perspective, and he is honest and genuine
So yo, we're gonna see what the race is
He's ready to take on any challenge and see where he stands among other artists
That's where you groups, will have to face us
He's confident that Gang Starr will come out on top against other groups
And you can bet we'll be in tip-top shape
They will come well-prepared and in top shape for any challenge
Nice so precise with a hip-hop update
Their style and music is unique and modern
Wait, I got a shoutout for the ladies
He has a special message for his female fans
Come check me baby, don't underrate me
He's confident and wants to prove his worth to his fans
Cause I'm a man with the plan for all
He has a plan and vision for his music and career that will benefit all his fans
The Guru, to groove you, get out the wall
He's confident and skilled enough to get anyone dancing and enjoying themselves
I've got gusto, so I'm kickin it well
He's doing very well because of his passion, style, skill and strong personality
I got gusto, with much clientele
He has many fans and clients because of his unique style and music
So I pump it, to a higher decibel
He's making his music louder and more powerful to reach more people
Have a seat, listen cause the rest it goes smooth
Relax and enjoy the song because it's smooth and free-flowing
and improve and bust a move
His music inspires people to improve themselves and get moving
I am the man with the true blue potential
He's the man with the raw and natural talent to succeed
I am essential, I drive you mental and back
He's essential and has the power to get people excited and hyped up
Attack mack and rap
He's going for the attack by expressing his talents through his lyrics and music
And as you calm I will romp
He will continue to perform and entertain even when his audience is calmed down
Like a giant I stomp
He's powerful and confident enough to make an impact like a giant
Really? Right, you want to be a emcee?
He's challenging and questioning those who want to be an emcee
Then go against me -- boy don't even tempt me
He's daring anyone to challenge him and reminding them not to underestimate him
Cause I go house on the freestyle tip
He's amazing and unbeatable when it comes to freestyling
Math you and blast you and then just shift
He'll outmatch and overpower you and then easily move on to the next challenge
into hype gear, no fear, I persevere
He'll switch to a hype mode and persevere with confidence and no fear
Year after year, rehearsin verse so clear
He's been doing music for years and his lyrics are well practiced and clear
Cause I've been into rhymin man for like eons
He's been passionate about music and rapping for a very long time
And every stage, word I want to be on
He wants to perform on every stage possible to spread his music and message
So I can show you how it's gotta be done
He wants to show other artists and people how to succeed and get it done
I never run or shun, I've just begun
He never runs away from challenges or shuns away from anything, he's just getting started
"My man gots that gusto" "Word"
Repetition and confirmation of his passion and talent by his friends and fans
"Ah yeah, gusto"
Exclamation confirming and celebrating his passion, style and talent
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Real Shock Joe
Big up...mad props for preserving these gems!!!
William Walton
The Real Shock Joe word up! This never gets old
Vicente B
Timeless music. Guru one of a kind
Skeptinen
@ENOCHwithaGLOCK first he fell into a coma (I think after a heart attack), like 2 weeks before he died.. some people say he woke up from the coma, but then his condition got worse and he died of cancer. very sad, still cant believe it happened.. RIP GURU, A TRUE LEGEND !
Eddie Soul
I caught back on the day about late '86 early '87 on the DnA Hank Love at the time Guru was unknown up and comin'...Not knowin' he would really blow the fuck up 2 or 3 years later...
bookieplow
produced by The 45 King
Michael Wallace
Dope
Tony Sims
It's funny how much he had a hand in, I think my entire introduction to hip hop could be boiled down to Mark, Marley, Ced Gee, and Paul C. Edit: and Bomb Squad.. and..
Skeptinen
@spitzmilliondollaman nicee, i guarantee there's alot of fans man! peace, appreciate it.
Matthew Churchill
reading about the 45 king on Wikipedia brought me here