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
False Prophets
Guru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Listen how I kiss it, watch the storm begin
Harsh winds and never coming, down pouring
Cats be faking jacks, don't know what they're down for
The seven and a half combine over the front line
The ten percenters, promoting slander with the airtime
Bear in mind jewels be the tools of the trade
They placed him on pedestals, named him the hottest
A dawn with riches, women and gold objects
They spoke confederate and not to the people
Trying to numb off thought like shots from a needle
I peep these cocksuckas, their ways and actions
The center of attention, the main attraction
If they were authentic, you think the fame would trap 'em
Now cypher, they all up in the game just acting
The worst thing for them is when one does emerge
Who exposes that fake shit and rattles their nerves
A lot of niggaz switch sides 'cause it's convenient
They fronting like they down for the hood but they don't mean it
I seen it, suckas with their hidden agendas
Turning their backs to the streets while they're living in splendor
And this right here is no small topic
Trickery is in the air, so beware of the false prophets
Bars are sick, I spit flem in the form of gems
Listen how I kiss it, watch the storm begin
Harsh winds, and never coming, down pouring
Cats be faking jacks, don't know what they're down for
The seven and a half combine, over the front line
The ten percenters, promoting slander with the airtime
Bear in mind jewels be the tools of the trade
Sharp veins, heavenly praise and dues are paid
As they laugh and smile, and sip on their drinks
They disgust me, they can get spit on an ink
I sit and I think how determined they make me
Demonic rap clowns from the PJ's, they hate me
Greedy as hell, always showing fake love
Scared of the real ones, even worse, they fake thugs
Somebody gave 'em money and a platform to kick it from
They speak real well, but I still don't get it, son
Eventually they doomed to fall
And they should get no space to breathe, no room at all
From a long time ago up to this very moment
They been twisting the truth, now I'm their opponent
They take the people's trust and misuse it for power
I'm 'bout to pull the plug and refuse these cowards
And this right here is no small topic
Trickery is in the air, so beware of the false prophets
Bars are sick, I spit flem in the form of gems
Listen how I kiss it, watch the storm begin
Harsh winds, and never coming, down pouring
Cats be faking jacks, don't know what they're down for
The seven and a half combine, over the front line
The ten percenters, promoting slander with the airtime
Bear in mind jewels be the tools of the trade
Sharp veins, heavenly praise and dues are paid
In "False Prophets," by Guru, the rapper uses his lyrics to discuss the prevalence of fake people and "false prophets" in the music industry. He starts by stating that his bars are sick and that he spits flem in the form of gems. He then goes on to criticize those who claim to be down for the hood, but are actually faking jacks and don't know what they're down for. Guru also talks about how the seven and a half combine, and how the ten percenters promote slander with the airtime.
Guru then goes on to describe how false prophets are placed on pedestals and named the hottest. They speak confederate and not to the people and try to numb thought like shots from a needle. The rapper exposes their hidden agendas, and how they turn their backs on the streets while living in splendor. He warns the audience that there is a lot of trickery in the air, and they should beware of the false prophets.
Guru's "False Prophets" is a thought-provoking and eye-opening song that delves deep into the negative aspects of the music industry. It highlights the fake people who are only out there for their own fame and fortune rather than genuinely caring about the art or the people they represent. The song urges the listener to be wary of people who try to take advantage of them, and to stay true to their own beliefs and ideals.
Line by Line Meaning
Bars are sick, I spit flem in the form of gems
I rap so well that I turn mucus into something valuable
Listen how I kiss it, watch the storm begin
Hear my rhymes and prepare for a lyrical storm
Harsh winds, and never coming, down pouring
The negative consequences of fake prophets are here to stay
Cats be faking jacks, don't know what they're down for
People pretend to be something they are not and are being dishonest with their intentions
The seven and a half combine, over the front line
The elite few control the masses
The ten percenters, promoting slander with the airtime
The wealthy use their influence to spread lies and manipulate the public
Bear in mind jewels be the tools of the trade
Words and knowledge are the currency for success in this industry
Sharp veins, heavenly praise and dues are paid
Great effort and talent leads to success, but there is always a price to pay
They placed him on pedestals, named him the hottest
False prophets are praised and raised to positions of power without deserving it
A dawn with riches, women and gold objects
They use their wealth to gain more power and influence
They spoke confederate and not to the people
False prophets use coded language to manipulate and mislead
Trying to numb off thought like shots from a needle
They want people to stop thinking for themselves and follow blindly
I peep these cocksuckas, their ways and actions
I see through their lies and deceitful behavior
The center of attention, the main attraction
False prophets crave attention and fame above everything else
If they were authentic, you think the fame would trap 'em
True artists use fame for good, not as a trap that leads to more greed and deception
Now cypher, they all up in the game just acting
False prophets are only pretending to be something they are not
The worst thing for them is when one does emerge
False prophets fear being exposed for their lies and manipulation
Who exposes that fake shit and rattles their nerves
Those who reveal the truth about false prophets make them uncomfortable and anxious
A lot of niggaz switch sides 'cause it's convenient
Many people change their true identity to fit in with the powerful and wealthy
They fronting like they down for the hood but they don't mean it
False prophets pretend to care about their community to gain power, but they don't truly care
I seen it, suckas with their hidden agendas
I have witnessed false prophets with secret motives and goals
Turning their backs to the streets while they're living in splendor
False prophets ignore the problems of their community and focus on their own wealth and success
And this right here is no small topic
This issue of false prophets is serious and important
Trickery is in the air, so beware of the false prophets
False prophets are all around and use manipulation and lies to deceive the public
Writer(s): John Mosher, Richard Elam Copyright: 7 Large Music
Contributed by Eva T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.