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.
in memory of...
Gang Starr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to Gang Starr's "In Memory Of..." are a poignant reflection on the transience of life and the importance of preserving the memory of those who have passed away. The opening line, "I'm not sure about any of these names," suggests a sense of disorientation and confusion as the singer reflects on the many individuals who have left an indelible mark on their lives.
As the song unfolds, Gang Starr pays tribute to a range of figures from various fields who have died prematurely, including musicians like Jam Master Jay and Big L, actors like Christopher Reeve and Heath Ledger, and even victims of tragic accidents like Aaliyah and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. Through this diverse array of references, Gang Starr emphasizes the universality of loss and the profound impact that these individuals had on their respective fields.
Ultimately, "In Memory Of..." is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing our memories of those who are no longer with us. Through its somber lyrics and poignant imagery, the song captures the grief and sadness that accompanies loss, while also celebrating the enduring legacy of those who have left a lasting impression on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not sure about any of these names
I am uncertain of the validity of the names associated with the deceased individuals
Seems like so long ago, time moves so fast
It appears to have been a lengthy duration since their deaths due to the rapidness of time
Things have changed, we've been rearranged
Many modifications have occurred and we have been forced to adapt to them
Since the day they went away, nothing's quite the same
Ever since they departed, life has not been identical to before
No looking back, but it's hard to move on
Although we cannot change the past, it is challenging to proceed forward
We reminisce and try to hold on
We look back on cherished memories and attempt to maintain them
How do you show that you miss somebody?
What methods can you employ to show that you long for someone's presence?
Do you give them a call, do you write a song?
Should you call them or write a song in their honor to express your emotions?
Paint a picture of love that we had?
Can you create a visual representation of the love that was shared between you and the deceased?
I wonder how they're livin' in the heavens?
I ponder how the deceased individuals are faring in the afterlife
I hope they're getting all of their questions answered and all of their 70 virgins
I desire for them to acquire knowledge and satisfaction in the afterlife as described in certain religions
It takes more than flowers to ease the pain
Offering only flowers is insufficient to alleviate the grief felt by those who mourn
The worst part is when it's over and they're gone again
The most difficult aspect is realizing that the deceased are truly gone and will not return
All you have is memories under the sun, it's like an endless cycle that begun
All that remains are recollections beneath the sun, it appears to be a never-ending cycle that has commenced
We gotta raise our kids, we gotta give them some love
It is essential to nurture and care for our offspring by showing them affection and compassion
Make sure they know what they're doing and who they can trust
We must assist them in navigating through life responsibly and to help them determine trustworthy individuals
Don't assume they know what it was like, we gotta show them we really cared
We should not presume that our children understand what it was like and must demonstrate how much we genuinely cared
'Cause once we're dead and gone they'll still hold us up in the air
Because even after we pass away, our children will continue to hold onto our memory with significance
Contributed by Alexis V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dufunitus
on Rite Where U Stand
This is Real Hip Hop music at it's finest it's a catalog of street knowledge & wisdom to revolutionize our minds above this Totalitarian System of dystopia