Gang Starr was an influential American hip-hop duo, composed of late rapper… Read Full Bio ↴Gang Starr was an influential American hip-hop duo, composed of late rapper Guru (Backronym for Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal, real name Keith Elam) and DJ Premier (real name Chris Martin). Premier originally from Houston and Guru from Boston, but they were based in and represented Brooklyn, New York, epitomizing the New York City hip-hop sound. The entirety of Gang Starr's catalog, especially Step In The Arena (1991) ,Daily Operation (1992), and Hard To Earn (1994) are well-respected among critics and hip-hop heads alike. Though these titles helped establish the duo as one of New Yorks foremost hip hop acts during the early to mid 90's it was their 1998 album Moment of Truth that would prove to be their most influential record to date. Despite their legendary status, this was also their only album to sell gold.
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.
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.
Zonin'
Gang Starr Lyrics
Instrumental
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Nelson Valente Sánchez Ventura
{*inhaling and coughing*}
[Premier] Yo, you alright man? .. You zonin?
{*scratched: "I.. I speak that.."*}
[Premier] what's the deal?
{*scratched: "I speak that re-real shit, just listen"*}
[Verse One: Guru]
Yo I pop your lid, I got to live
I ain't tall but I can show y'all what a problem is
I like to zone, I'm nice with chrome
I keep a vast stash of Magnums cause I like to bone
I play the game, I stay the same
But I can switch styles, pick files, I'm like gravy train
Shot the witness, got the bitches
Still in the streets with my heat about to shock the business
I handle biz, I cancel kids
Just like Allen I'mma show 'em what "The Answer" is
I'm after props, I spaz a lot
And yo I'm deadin all the bullshit 'til my casket drops
You know me boy, you owe me boy
You wanna end up in my trunk dyin slowly boy?
I'm confident, I'm on some shit
Cause I been knowin already you was on the dick
I'm zonin
[Hook: DJ Premier scratching - repeat 2X]
"Down with the Foundation"
"Step into my zone, mad rhymes'll stifle ya" -> Guru
"No time for games cause I'm, all grown up" -> DMX
"I speak that re-real shit, just listen"
[Verse Two: Guru]
It's conspiracy, you hearin me? That's why I get love
And still got others fearin me
You never know, who's next to blow
And since it's me, I'mma stash me some extra dough
Got extra flow, chicks give me sex and dough
Need I, mention P.I. player let me know
I'm down with dis, I founded this
So you should recognize the true authentic sound of this
The golden voice, holdin toys
But not playin, Guru and Preem', we like the golden boys
The chain and star, I'm angry pah
Cause you fucks ain't wanna give us what we aimin for
You stupid son, I shoot my gun
From the heart fool, you know that's where this music from
Protect your dome, respect the throne
This is Guru and Premier, and you can bet it's on
I'm zonin
[Hook]
Lane G
Rest in piece to one of the goats of hip-hop. He's severely underrated. He spit some of the most angelic gangsta shit ever. Angelic shit in general he repped. Respect.
Bad Gamer
Wish he could have gotten his flowers while he was here, he ran while the rest of the game was walking.
My Mom's Phone
@Bad Gamer so true
Steve Stugots
Gang Starr’s music will forever be timeless. RIP to the legend Guru.
Rune K1ng Th0r
What I love about this track is that it sets a tone. In most cases GURU tries to speak life into his lyrics. He has spoken of crime, robbery, guns on previous standout tracks. But, this track is an outlier due to it being their last album together. He shows extreme dexterity with how he plays with his sentence structure and his bars. His name should not be taken lightly. RIP GURU.
Shawn Isom
Well said bruh!!
Cosmic Moor
TRUE Indeed.
Zach Quesada
Fureal most unaware it stands for Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal
Harvich Sambo
Rune K1ng Th0r most definitely!! Peace!!
Venis peguero
Real unique style made Guru one of the legendary artists of hip hop, Of all time, combined with another one of the best producers, and DJs on the beats.