Founded in 1987, Gang Starr built a sizable following in the early 90's, releasing classic albums like Step in the Arena (1991) and Daily Operation (1992). Guru's lyrical style was based on battle rhymes delivered smoothly, modestly, and with sly wit; he typically avoided using overwhelming charisma, focusing instead on his rhyming ability. Over the years he even took on younger rappers, including Jeru the Damaja, as proteges. He is credited, along with DJ Premier, for the executive production of Jeru's debut, The Sun Rises in the East (1994).
In 1993, he released his first solo album, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1. The album featured collaborations with Donald Byrd, N'Dea Davenport, Dee C. Lee, and Roy Ayers, whilst his second LP, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality, featured Ramsey Lewis, Branford Marsalis, and Jamiroquai. The Jazzmatazz albums have been met with mixed reviews, Guru continued with Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: Streetsoul (2000) and Baldhead Slick & Da Click (2001).
Moreover, recent Gang Starr albums have continued to garner Guru critical acclaim. Prominent Boston underground rapper Mr. Lif frequently cites Guru as a major stylistic influence; he appears as a guest with Lif on the Perceptionists' debut album, Black Dialogue (2005).
Besides Gang Starr, his Jazzmatazz and solo albums, Guru collaborated with countless artists since the early 90s. Not only in Hip-Hop, but also with artists from various genres such as pop, electronica/dance, acid jazz, and even brass bands.
His "first proper solo album", in his own words, was Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures (2005), released with the help of producer and new backup MC/producer Solar. The album reached #1 on the college hip-hop charts, but was a failure with both fans and critics. It still managed to sell relatively well for an independent release.
Guru's latest project is the fourth installment in the Jazzmatazz series, entirely produced by Solar. It was released in early June 2007 and received good reviews and comments from fans.
In 2007 Guru was ranked at 45 for the Top 50 MCs of our time: 1987-2007
On February 28th 2010, Guru suffered a severe heart attack and was in a coma. He passed away on April 19, 2010 at the age of 49 after a long battle with cancer.
Theres another artist with the same name:
2. Guru also refers to a Ghanaian hip-hop artist known for his single "LaPaz Toyota" and the song "Akayida" - basis for a azonto dance craze
Down the Backstreets
Guru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down the backstreets down the backstreets
(I'm walkin' down the backstreets)
Down the backstreets down the backstreets
Down the backstreets down the backstreets
(I be walkin' down the backstreets)
Yo here goes some info on my flow and how I move
On the down-low, I travel with my mind to the street
Concrete, like the gravel I'm in deep
So I gotta hit ya from a real perspective
'Cause anyone who's talkin that crap, will surely get his
I'm not the one to act flashy
'Cause man where I be at, we don't have to be classy
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
(I'm walkin' down the backstreets)
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
(I be walkin' down the backstreets)
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
(Walkin' down the backstreets)
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
(I be walkin' down the backstreets)
Check it stupid
While you're out there, on the main streets frontin'
Your game's week, so I'm huntin' you down clown
'Cause you need to learn somethin'
All that bluffin', won't get you nothin' but killed
No mission fulfilled, because there's others who will
Get jealous, hell if they can take clout from you, they'll do it
So that's what I'm about to do, I'll step to it
And strip you of your pride (your pride)
And then I'll stick and I'll rip you up from all sides
Or possibly I'll let you slide, slime
Cause you'll set your own death in just a matter of time
Yeah, and I'll be somewhere on the sidelines, y'know
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
(Walkin' down the backstreets)
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
(I be walkin' down the backstreets)
So when you're lookin' for me, here's where I'll be
I'll be walkin' down the backstreets in your vicinity
'Cause I been out here for a few
So all that you're doin', ain't really nothin' new (nothin' new)
I peeped the way you always perpetrate
You're so phony, you make me wanna regurgitate
Since you're ridin' so high, you're bound to fall
While I stand tall, and you don't get no props at all out here
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
(Walkin' down the backstreets)
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
(I be walkin' down the backstreets)
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
(Walkin' down the backstreets)
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
(It's the backstreets)
Down the backstreets, down the backstreets
Down the backstreets, is a mind state
'Cause I don't have to be a pop star to rhyme great
I've been out here observin' things
So now all fake gangsters and pranksters I'm servin'
You know what I'm sayin? I'm the king
Come down the backstreets where it's dark
I'ma snatch your heart
So get a handle on life and quit livin' so trife
Or else we're gonna have to run up, and SMACK all the weak
Comin' straight from the backstreets
And I'm out, ninety-three, it's all me
The song "Down the Backstreets" by Guru portrays a perspective on life in the streets. Guru talks about his ability to adapt to the roughness of the street life, while focusing on the importance of keeping a low profile to avoid drawing attention. He also addresses the problem of fake people who act phony on the main streets, and how they are eventually bound to fall. Although not overtly stated, the song's message can be interpreted as a call for authenticity in one's actions and behaviors.
The lyrics show a strong sense of self-confidence and determination, with lines like "I'm not the one to act flashy" and "I'll be somewhere on the sidelines, y'know". By emphasizing his humility and willingness to learn from the streets, Guru allows his audience to connect with him on a personal level. The usage of the repeated chorus "Down the backstreets" reinforces the idea of the dark, hidden aspects of life in the streets and suggests that there are many layers to how people conduct themselves.
Overall, "Down the Backstreets" is a powerful expression of Guru's streetwise perspective, with its deep yet accessible message that conveys a sense of authenticity and steeliness. The song remains an enduring commentary on the challenges and difficulties of navigating city life.
Line by Line Meaning
Down the backstreets down the backstreets
I am walking in the lower-class areas where things are gritty and real
Down the backstreets down the backstreets
I am walking in the lower-class areas where things are gritty and real
(I'm walkin' down the backstreets)
I am walking in the lower-class areas where things are gritty and real
Down the backstreets down the backstreets
I am walking in the lower-class areas where things are gritty and real
Down the backstreets down the backstreets
I am walking in the lower-class areas where things are gritty and real
(I be walkin' down the backstreets)
I am walking in the lower-class areas where things are gritty and real
Yo here goes some info on my flow and how I move
Let me give you some insight into my style and how I operate
To a def groove, I keep my rep smooth
I maintain my reputation and flow effortlessly to a good beat
On the down-low, I travel with my mind to the street
I have a deep connection to the gritty reality of life in the streets, even if I am not physically present there all the time
Concrete, like the gravel I'm in deep
I am immersed in the hard and rough aspects of life
So I gotta hit ya from a real perspective
I am going to give you a perspective that is truthful and unfiltered
'Cause anyone who's talkin that crap, will surely get his
I will not tolerate anyone who is full of BS and will put them in their place
I'm not the one to act flashy
I do not put on airs or put too much emphasis on material wealth or status
'Cause man where I be at, we don't have to be classy
Where I come from, people do not measure their worth by superficial things such as being classy or stylish
Check it stupid
Listen carefully, foolish person
While you're out there, on the main streets frontin'
You are trying to act cool and impressive on the main streets
Your game's week, so I'm huntin' you down clown
Your facade is weak, so I will expose you for the fraud that you are
'Cause you need to learn somethin'
You need to be taught a lesson about authenticity and honesty
All that bluffin', won't get you nothin' but killed
All your lies will only lead to your downfall
No mission fulfilled, because there's others who will
You will not succeed in your goals, as there are others who are more suited to achieve them
Get jealous, hell if they can take clout from you, they'll do it
Others will get jealous of your perceived success and try to diminish it for their own gain
So that's what I'm about to do, I'll step to it
I am about to confront and challenge you
And strip you of your pride (your pride)
I will take away your false sense of self-worth
And then I'll stick and I'll rip you up from all sides
I will expose all of your lies and deceit
Or possibly I'll let you slide, slime
I might give you a pass this time, you sneaky person
Cause you'll set your own death in just a matter of time
Your own actions will lead to your inevitable downfall and demise
Yeah, and I'll be somewhere on the sidelines, y'know
I will be watching from afar as you face the consequences of your actions
So when you're lookin' for me, here's where I'll be
If you want to find me, you will have to look in the gritty and real areas of the backstreets
I'll be walkin' down the backstreets in your vicinity
I will be walking in the lower-class areas close to where you are
'Cause I been out here for a few
I have been immersed in these rough areas for a while now
So all that you're doin', ain't really nothin' new (nothin' new)
Your fake and showy behavior is not impressive or unique
I peeped the way you always perpetrate
I have observed how you always try to portray yourself as something you are not
You're so phony, you make me wanna regurgitate
Your phoniness and fakeness disgust me
Since you're ridin' so high, you're bound to fall
Your false sense of superiority will ultimately lead to your downfall
While I stand tall, and you don't get no props at all out here
I remain grounded and authentic, while you garner no respect from the real people in these areas
Down the backstreets, is a mind state
Walking in the backstreets is not just a physical action, it is a state of mind
'Cause I don't have to be a pop star to rhyme great
I do not need to be a mainstream celebrity to be a great rapper
I've been out here observin' things
I have been paying attention to the world around me in these real areas
So now all fake gangsters and pranksters I'm servin'
I am now calling out and challenging all the fake and phony people, especially those who claim to be gangsters or tough guys
You know what I'm sayin? I'm the king
I am confident in my ability to dominate and succeed in these areas
Come down the backstreets where it's dark
Join me in the real and gritty areas where things are not glamorized or sanitized
I'ma snatch your heart
I will challenge you and expose your true self
So get a handle on life and quit livin' so trife
Get your act together and stop living a rough and dangerous life
Or else we're gonna have to run up, and SMACK all the weak
If you do not shape up, the strong and authentic people will have to confront and challenge you
Comin' straight from the backstreets
This authentic and real attitude comes directly from the gritty areas in which I walk
And I'm out, ninety-three, it's all me
I am ending my message and asserting my confidence and independence as both a rapper and a person
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Keith Elam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind