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.
Just To Get A Rep
Gang Starr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stick up kids is out to tax
Stick up kids is out to tax
And this is how the story goes
Brothers are amused by others brother's reps
But the thing they know best is where the gun is kept
'Cause in the night, you'll feel fright
Want to do a dance or two
'Cause he could maybe bust you for self or with a crew
No matter if you or your brother's a star
He could pop you and jet without a getaway car
And some might say that he's a dummy
But he's sticking you and taking all your money
It's a daily operation
He might be loose in the park or lurking at the train station
Mad brothers know his name
So he thinks he got a little fame
From the stick-up game
And while we're blaming society
He's at a party with his man
They got their eye on the gold chain
That the next man's wearing
It looks big but they ain't staring
Just thinking of a way and when to get the brother
They'll be long gone before the kid recovers
And back around the way, he'll have the chain on his neck
Claimin' respect, just to get a rep
Stick up kids is out to tax
Stick up kids is out to tax
Stick up kids is out to tax
And this, and this is how the story goes
Ten brothers in a circle
Had the kid trapped, the one with the hood, he said, "We'll hurt you
If you don't run all you jewels and pay
Give up the Rolex watch or you won't see another day"
See, they were on the attack
And one said, "Yo, you want to make this to a homicide rap?
Make it fast so we can be on our way
Kick in the rings and everything, ok?"
The kid was nervous and flinching
And little shorty with the 3-8, yo, he was inchin'
Closer and closer, put the gun to his head
Shorty was down to catch a body instead
Money was scared so he panicked
Took off his link and his rings and ran frantic
But shorty said, "Nah" pulled the trigger and stepped
It was nothing, he did it just to get a rep
Stick up kids is out to tax
Stick up kids is out to tax
Stick up kids is out to tax
And this is, this-this, this is how the story goes
The rep grows bigger, now he's known for his trigger finger
Rolling with troops of his sons like a gansta figure
He's near the peak of his crazy career
His posse's a nightmare, mack and jewels and crazy gear
But as we know, the things we do come back
And shorty's not peeping, others are scheming to counteract
'Cause the kid that got shot didn't perish, so
He pulls up in a Jeep with tinted windows
Too late, shorty was caught in the midst
His time ran out, his number came up, and that's it
You know the rest, so don't front, the plan has been upset
Some brothers gotta go out just to get a rep
“Just To Get A Rep” by Gang Starr is a song about stick-up kids and the lengths they go to establish their reputations. The lyrics describe how these stick-up kids believe that having a reputation is essential to their survival, and they will rob, steal, and even kill to earn one.
The first verse sets the tone for the song and highlights the dangers of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The lyrics describe how these stick-up kids are always lurking, waiting for an opportunity to rob someone. They prey on people who are unaware of their surroundings, and they are not afraid to use violence when necessary.
The second verse tells the story of a young man who falls victim to the stick-up kids. The lyrics describe how a group of ten stick-up kids corner the young man and threaten to hurt him unless he gives up his valuables. The young man, scared for his life, hands over his Rolex watch, and his rings, and runs away.
The final verse describes how the young man ultimately gets his revenge on the stick-up kids. The lyrics describe how he tracks down the stick-up kid responsible for robbing him and kills him. The song ends with the chorus reminding listeners that some people will do anything, even kill, just to get a reputation.
Overall, “Just To Get A Rep” sheds light on a dangerous and often overlooked aspect of inner-city life. It highlights the desperate measures that some people will go to establish reputations and how those actions can have deadly consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Stick up kids is out to tax
There are criminals who steal from others to gain power and reputation
And this is how the story goes
This is the common reality of life on the streets
Brothers are amused by others brother's reps
Gangsters are impressed by the reputation of other gangsters
But the thing they know best is where the gun is kept
They are aware of where criminals store their weapons
'Cause in the night, you'll feel fright
When it's dark, fear sets in
And at the sight of a four-fifth, I guess you just might
When seeing a .45 caliber gun, one is likely to panic
Want to do a dance or two
They may try to escape or plead for mercy
'Cause he could maybe bust you for self or with a crew
The criminal could rob the victim alone or with a group
No matter if you or your brother's a star
The criminal doesn't care if the victim is famous or not
He could pop you and jet without a getaway car
He can shoot and leave the scene quickly without a vehicle
And some might say that he's a dummy
Some people may think the criminal is foolish
But he's sticking you and taking all your money
Regardless, he's committing the robbery and taking all of the victim's money
It's a daily operation
Robberies happen frequently
He might be loose in the park or lurking at the train station
The criminal could attack in public places
Mad brothers know his name
Many gangsters know who the criminal is
So he thinks he got a little fame
The criminal believes he has gained some level of respect from his reputation
From the stick-up game
From his history of robbing people
And while we're blaming society
As a society, we are trying to find solutions for crime
He's at a party with his man
The criminal is socializing with his peers
They got their eye on the gold chain
They are eyeing the jewelry of the guests at the party
That the next man's wearing
One of the guests has a chain that they want to steal
It looks big but they ain't staring
They are pretending not to notice the jewelry
Just thinking of a way and when to get the brother
They are discussing how and when to steal the chain
They'll be long gone before the kid recovers
They plan to escape before the victim realizes they have been robbed
And back around the way, he'll have the chain on his neck
The criminal will wear the stolen jewelry around their neck
Claimin' respect, just to get a rep
The criminal is using this robbery to gain more reputation and respect from his peers
Ten brothers in a circle
A group of ten gangsters surround the victim
Had the kid trapped, the one with the hood, he said, "We'll hurt you
The leader of the group threatens the victim
If you don't run all you jewels and pay
If the victim doesn't give up all of his valuables and money
Give up the Rolex watch or you won't see another day"
The victim is told to give up his Rolex or face murder
See, they were on the attack
The gangsters were acting aggressively towards the victim
And one said, "Yo, you want to make this to a homicide rap?
One of the gangsters suggests killing the victim and risking a murder charge
Make it fast so we can be on our way
They want to rob and leave the scene quickly
Kick in the rings and everything, ok?"
They want the victim to give up everything valuable
The kid was nervous and flinching
The victim was scared and jumpy
And little shorty with the 3-8, yo, he was inchin'
One of the gangsters was getting closer with his gun
Closer and closer, put the gun to his head
The gangster puts his gun to the victim's head
Shorty was down to catch a body instead
The gangster was willing to kill the victim if necessary
Money was scared so he panicked
The victim was frightened and acted irrationally
Took off his link and his rings and ran frantic
The victim took off his jewelry and ran away in a state of panic
But shorty said, "Nah" pulled the trigger and stepped
The gangster decides to kill the victim and does so
It was nothing, he did it just to get a rep
The gangster killed the victim for his reputation
The rep grows bigger, now he's known for his trigger finger
The gangster's reputation for killing people grows
Rolling with troops of his sons like a gansta figure
He is now a respected gangster with a posse of followers
He's near the peak of his crazy career
He is at the top of his criminal career
His posse's a nightmare, mack and jewels and crazy gear
His followers are intimidating and wear flashy clothing and jewelry
But as we know, the things we do come back
What goes around comes back around
And shorty's not peeping, others are scheming to counteract
Other people are plotting to bring the gangster down
'Cause the kid that got shot didn't perish, so
The victim didn't die from his gunshot wounds
He pulls up in a Jeep with tinted windows
The victim comes back with a car that conceals his identity
Too late, shorty was caught in the midst
The gangster is already in trouble before realizing that the victim has returned
His time ran out, his number came up, and that's it
The gangster's luck has run out
You know the rest, so don't front, the plan has been upset
The plan to become a respected gangster has failed
Some brothers gotta go out just to get a rep
Some gangsters believe they need to commit crimes to reach a certain level of respect in their community
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Chris E. Martin, Keith Elam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RecklessBones
I don’t care what anybody says, this is one of the greatest hip ho tunes ever be created. It’s got the funk, soul, sound, feel, lyrics, story and moral the lot, the epitome of 90s hip hop.
@Mxllaxx
Periodt❗️❗️❗️
@vikctorrkreedd6418
True.
@christianmccollum1028
Listen to KoolG Rap & DJ Polo's "Streets Of New York" It follows the same criteria.
@MrLionheart1974
Agreed🙏🏾👌🏾🤘🏾
@waynellewellyn
Even TODAY it's relevant.
@supremeclientele83
When you hear the names Guru and Premier you pay respect
@cim8097
Word is born
@ajamocampbell9143
Facts
@djjunerockles4730
Yes Indeed