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.
Itz A Set Up
Gang Starr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Upset the set up, the element of surprise
IT'Z A SET UP
It's time to upset the set up
Though they conspire, fake us to make us retire
With the burning desire we make it out of the crossfire
Thoughts are higher, elevating and focused
Primo beats provoke us to meditate like Zen
With the will and the strength, of a million men
While they introspect, where nothing is met
It's been that way for a while so much has come and then went
But I'm confident, a few, are due to redeem
their respective kingdoms, with an abundance of cream
So if I were to scheme, it would be on a realer dream
Like formin effective teams to filter the smokescreens
You totin in jeans, don't even know the true envy
The man I'm pickin apart, and plus they both were friends to me
Past trivial pursuits like East and West coast feuds
Come against me on the mic, many and most will lose
Like most dudes, I love this hip-hop, and this rap stuff
But I don't like the shows, where the ignorant act up
While some'll be rippin it, they be in the crowd wildin
Flippin on kids, for the chains and medallions
Or the kid they don't like, from a beef from way back
And decide that's the night, perfect time for payback
It's wack for the group, plus the others who came
to see a fat ass show, instead there's bullets aflame
While they devise our demise, we grow wise
Upset the set up, the element of surprise
IT'Z A SET UP
It's time to upset the set up
Still waters run deep this is leagues in depth
Quiet as kept they slept we crept
Society puts the squeeze on MC's like iron grips of death
From here on in peace and blessings long cherish your breath
Gifted and Rhyme you now how we do, stay true
Follow through lay down the law, cause it's probable and overdue
All systems overdue, my guns know me
I only hold a few my nigga for only a few hold me
Never forget the ones before me, my momma told me
sacrifice for the ones behind me leadin the seeds
Blind leads, black on black, crime to me
Inclined to refine my creed I eat thinkin lead
Conceive to make the beast bleed, enhance thoughts
like tossed trees 'cross the Earth three-fourths
Let my offspring feed all three, corpus delectis cost me
Lost and found on enemy ground, quoted although
they don't know how we get down at sound speed we breed
Mo more confined to blind greed and self destructive deeds
Heed my freedom war cry, of course I'm N.Y.
Hug my peeps that died, the loved ones alive
Reinforce and fly high as I lie so shall I
from New I to Cali next plateau U.N.I.versal
Unleash the black rain
Show em who in control, electro-magnetic
pull on the hole, ill as toters bang out
Til we sittin on swole the strongest way to grow
The only way I know, Underground Railroad on track
No physical or mental chain can shackle that
The song "Itz A Set Up" by Gang Starr Featuring Hannibal deals with the theme of conspiracies and the need to be aware of the traps that the world may lay for us. The song encourages the listener to rise up and surprise those who are trying to bring them down. The lyrics suggest that despite the schemes and machinations of those in power, the wise will always find a way to triumph. The line "IT'Z A SET UP" serves as a rallying call for resistance and encourages the listener to be proactive and take control of their lives.
The song also touches upon the issue of violence in the hip-hop community. The lyrics criticize the propensity for violence that some fans and artists show at hip-hop shows, where petty disputes can turn into deadly confrontations. The lines "It's wack for the group, plus the others who came to see a fat ass show, instead there's bullets aflame" highlights the tragic consequences of such behavior. The song puts forth the idea that hip-hop can be a force for positive change and that it is up to the fans and artists to make that happen.
Overall, "Itz A Set Up" is a thought-provoking song that challenges its listeners to question the status quo and to be aware of the forces that are working against them.
Line by Line Meaning
While they devise our demise, we grow wise
As our enemies plan our downfall, we become more knowledgeable and alert
Upset the set up, the element of surprise
We need to disrupt their plans and catch them off guard
IT'Z A SET UP
We are being set up
It's time to upset the set up
We need to take action to stop their plan
Though they conspire, fake us to make us retire
Our enemies are plotting against us to force us to retire
With the burning desire we make it out of the crossfire
But we have an intense motivation to succeed despite their attempts to stop us
Thoughts are higher, elevating and focused
Our minds are becoming more enlightened and purposeful
while the path is narrow, for those like us
Our journey is difficult and challenging, but we are prepared for it
Primo beats provoke us to meditate like Zen
The music of DJ Premier inspires us to reflect and focus like meditation
With the will and the strength, of a million men
We have the determination and power of an entire army
While they introspect, where nothing is met
Our enemies are examining themselves and finding nothing of value
It's been that way for a while so much has come and then went
Their situation has remained stagnant for a long time, and they have failed numerous times
But I'm confident, a few, are due to redeem
However, I believe that some of them have the potential to improve their situation
their respective kingdoms, with an abundance of cream
They can reclaim their power and wealth if they make the right choices
So if I were to scheme, it would be on a realer dream
If I were to plot, it would be based on a more realistic and transformative goal
Like forming effective teams to filter the smokescreens
For example, creating alliances to cut through the deception and lies
You totin in jeans, don't even know the true envy
Some people are carrying weapons due to envy or jealousy without fully understanding the situation
The man I'm pickin apart, and plus they both were friends to me
I am criticizing someone who I used to be friends with
Past trivial pursuits like East and West coast feuds
Arguments over petty things like regional pride are not important
Come against me on the mic, many and most will lose
If they challenge me in a rap battle or competition, they are likely to fail
Like most dudes, I love this hip-hop, and this rap stuff
I am like most people who are passionate about hip-hop and rap music
But I don't like the shows, where the ignorant act up
However, I do not enjoy concerts or events where people behave in foolish, violent ways
While some'll be rippin it, they be in the crowd wildin
While some are performing well, others in the audience are acting crazy and out of control
Flippin on kids, for the chains and medallions
They are fighting over material possessions like jewelry and accessories
Or the kid they don't like, from a beef from way back
They are attacking someone they have a grudge against from a long time ago
And decide that's the night, perfect time for payback
They see this as an opportunity to get revenge
It's wack for the group, plus the others who came
This behavior is not only bad for the performers, but for the other attendees as well
to see a fat ass show, instead there's bullets aflame
People came to see a great concert, but instead there is violence and gunfire
Still waters run deep this is leagues in depth
The underlying problems and issues run deep and are complex
Quiet as kept they slept we crept
Our enemies were unaware while we approached them quietly
Society puts the squeeze on MC's like iron grips of death
The larger society is putting a lot of pressure and stress on rappers and musicians
From here on in peace and blessings long cherish your breath
We need to appreciate our lives and be grateful for every moment
Gifted and Rhyme you now how we do, stay true
We are talented at rapping and we need to remain authentic and genuine
Follow through lay down the law, cause it's probable and overdue
We need to follow through with our plans and take charge, as it is necessary and has been delayed
All systems overdue, my guns know me
Everything has been waiting too long, but my weapons are always ready
I only hold a few my nigga for only a few hold me
I only trust a select few people, and only they can trust me too
Never forget the ones before me, my momma told me
I have to remember those who came before me and what they taught me, as my mother advised
sacrifice for the ones behind me leading the seeds
I need to make sacrifices to help those who come after me and guide the younger generations
Blind leads, black on black, crime to me
I do not believe in blindly following others, especially if it leads to violence between people of the same race
Inclined to refine my creed I eat thinkin lead
I am motivated to improve my own beliefs and values while also serving as an example to others
Conceive to make the beast bleed, enhance thoughts
My goal is to weaken the enemy and elevate my own ideas
like tossed trees 'cross the Earth three-fourths
My ideas will spread far and wide like trees cast across three-fourths of the globe
Let my offspring feed all three, corpus delectis cost me
I want future generations to benefit from my ideas and work, even if it costs me greatly
Lost and found on enemy ground, quoted although
I have experienced a lot of difficulty and loss, but I am still fighting on the enemy's turf
they don't know how we get down at sound speed we breed
Our enemies underestimate our abilities, as we are constantly evolving and improving
Mo more confined to blind greed and self destructive deeds
We will no longer be held back by selfishness and actions that harm us
Heed my freedom war cry, of course I'm N.Y.
Pay attention to my call for freedom and justice, as I am from New York
Hug my peeps that died, the loved ones alive
I make sure to embrace those who have passed away and appreciate those who are still with me
Reinforce and fly high as I lie so shall I
I am striving to become stronger and more successful, and will continue to do so even after I die
from New I to Cali next plateau U.N.I.versal
I am reaching for the next level of success, from New York to California and beyond
Unleash the black rain
I am ready to unleash my power and energy
Show em who in control, electro-magnetic
I am going to demonstrate who is really in charge, using powerful and mysterious forces
pull on the hole, ill as toters bang out
I will use my strength and skill to pull myself out of difficult situations with ease
Til we sittin on swole the strongest way to grow
We will continue to become physically, mentally, and financially powerful, as that is the best way to succeed
The only way I know, Underground Railroad on track
I will continue on this path, which is like an underground railroad leading to freedom
No physical or mental chain can shackle that
Nothing can stop or bind me from achieving my goals
Lyrics © MILLENIAL EXPEDITION MUSIC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KEITH ELAM, SIDNEY JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER E MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dufunitus
on Rite Where U Stand
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