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 to the Backstreets
Guru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
featuring Lonnie Liston Smith *
* featured artists on this album were jazz musicians
[Guru]
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
to a def groove, I keep my rep smooth
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
(In your 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
YouknowhatI'msayin? 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 featuring Lonnie Liston Smith talks about the artist's perspective as he walks the backstreets. The lyrics highlight the need for authenticity and staying true to oneself. Guru's flow is smooth and focused on the reality of life on the streets. He emphasizes the importance of being mindful of one's surroundings and not trying to put up a front, as it can lead to unnecessary danger.
In the song, Guru talks about the need to stay low-key and not act flashy, for where he is from, there's no need to be classy. He goes on to stress that all the bluffing will eventually lead to one's downfall, and anyone who tries to take clout from you will do so if given the opportunity. Guru declares that he will strip anyone of their pride and leave them with nothing if they act phony. He emphasizes the dangers of living life with a fake persona and the need to stay away from such behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
Down the backstreets down the backstreets
Walking away from the main streets
Down the backstreets down the backstreets (I'm walkin down the backstreets)
Reinforcing the first line, stating that he's currently walking down the back streets
Yo here goes some info on my flow and how I move to a def groove, I keep my rep smooth
Introducing himself and his flow, stating that he keeps things smooth and on a good beat
On the down-low, I travel with my mind to the street, Concrete, like the gravel I'm in deep
Moving on the lower streets, keeping his mind on those streets enjoying himself, and embracing the bare path of the street
So I gotta hit ya from a real perspective, Cause anyone who's talkin that crap, will surely get his
Explains that he's speaking from a real place while calling out others who talk a big game
I'm not the one to act flashy, Cause man where I be at, we don't have to be classy
Not someone who wants to show off or be rich, stating that where he's coming from, there's no need to present oneself as rich or elegant
Check it stupid, While you're out there, on the main streets frontin, Your game's week, so I'm huntin you down clown
Calling out someone who's acting and faking it out on the main streets, stating that he will find this fake clown and put them in place
Cause you need to learn somethin, All that bluffin, won't get you nothin but killed
Directly stating to the fake clown that they need to learn before they get hurt, bluffing will only lead to consequences
No mission fulfilled, because there's others who will get jealous, hell if they can take clout from you, they'll do it
Reflecting on the fact that others will only get jealous and want what they have instead of finding their own success
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
Describing how he'll bring down the fake clown, by stripping them of their pride and calling them out, but possibly he'll let them off easier or maybe not at all
Cause you'll set your own death in just a matter of time
Warning that if the fake clown continues the path they're on, it will lead to their downfall eventually
Yeah, and I'll be somewhere on the sidelines, y'know
Pacing himself while keeping an eye on the situation, reminding himself that he's not in a rush
So when you're lookin for me, here's where I'll be, I'll be walkin down the backstreets in your vicinity
Telling the fake clown that where he resides is in the backstreets, so if they want trouble, they'll be able to find him there
Cause I been out here for a few, So all that you're doin, ain't really nothin new (nothin new)
Being on the backstreets for a while now and seeing what's happening, stating that the fake clown is just repeating what's already happened before
I peeped the way you always perpetrate, You're so phony, you make me wanna regurgitate
Noting the fake clown's fakeness, and that it disgusts him
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
The fake clown is on their high horse, and when they fall, Guru will be standing tall, stating that the backstreets don't award props for fake people
Down the backstreets, is a mind state, Cause I don't have to be a pop star to rhyme great
The backstreets are more of a perception, stating that he doesn't have to be a pop star to be a good rapper
I've been out here observin things, So now all fake gangsters and pranksters I'm servin
Observing his surroundings and stating that he's going to bring down the fake gangsters and pranksters he's seen
YouknowhatI'msayin? I'm the king, Come down the backstreets where it's dark, I'ma snatch your heart
Asserting himself as royalty stating he will take down anyone who comes his way, especially in the darkness and will take their heart
So get a handle on life and quit livin so trife
Advice to others to take control of their lives and leave the troubles behind
Or else we're gonna have to run up, and SMACK all the weak, Comin straight from the backstreets
Warning that if things don't change those from the backstreets will come and put them in their place
And I'm out, ninety-three, it's all me
Leaving a note that he's out and that in 1993, it's just him keeping things running
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEITH ELAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind