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
Hall of Fame
Guru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
dog ruizi, my man Solar on the track. I'm about
to hit one out the park baby. Peep this
[Chorus]
You need to put me in the hall of fame
I'm worldwide, a legend in this game. Check the resume
You could put me in the hall of fame
[Verse 1]
Peep my groundwork, check how it's masterfully laid
Composition when written gets classically made
Start with a concept then collect the beat
Sit and write the bomb shit and rep the streets
Respect my state of mind, I never waste a line
Suckers are featherweight, while I'm heavyweight with mine
I caught more war scars than others profess to
Don't ask me to kick no rap, ask me to bless you
It's special, just like a brand new three-eighty
Have you thrash your CD, 'cause man your forgaize
Or you could catch me with the gods building
You can catch me on the mic, spitting juice to all the god's children
If I sold out, I could've sold millions
But in a minute, I'm about to hold billions
'Cause after the charade, and after the parade
Niggaz got to pay homage, to the master of this trade
[Chorus x2]
[Verse 2]
My lineage is large, my pilgreamage was hard
But I held down my square, my images of God
I hit the corner like I'm real familiar
I get up on ya like a wise guy will be familiar
And all the haters want to throw me off, bitches want to blow me of
Got die-hard fans, like I'm holy cross
See I'ma put you in your place
Niggaz be shook when they see a crook With triggers in their face
The triple OG's is back in his rest
Scheming on the way, to kill a demon is his quest
I'm planning all the way, got cannons all the way
Got a boat load of artillery, landing on the bay
I never really cared about critical acclaim
Still I never let a punk, try to ridicule my name
And after all the hatin' and all of the debatin'
Niggaz will run to the stage, to see the master conversatin'
[Chorus x2]
[Verse 3]
I'm like a one-man army, You little bums can't harm me
And don't try to send no little holocs to charm me
The hall of famer with my microphone flamer
The baller trainer with my monotone banger
I travel light years mentally
Essentially I'm wise, as if I've been here for centuries
And after the charade, and after the parade
Niggaz got to pay homage, to the master of this trade
[Chorus x2]
Audience ovations
In Guru's song "Hall of Fame," he exudes confidence in his abilities and demands recognition for his achievements by stating that he deserves a spot in the hall of fame. The chorus is repeated twice throughout the song, emphasizing Guru's desire to be recognized for his contributions to the rap game. He asserts his impressive resume and speaks about his distinctive style, showcasing how meticulously he crafts his rhymes. Guru raps about the hurdles he faced in his career and how he managed to overcome them through his dedication.
In the first verse, Guru highlights his skill as a lyricist and boasts about his intelligence while embracing his "war scars." He further claims to be different from other rappers who are "featherweight," while he is a heavyweight, a true master of the trade. Guru mentions fellow gods, implying that his talent comes from a higher power, but it is evident that he has worked hard to achieve his recognition. In the second verse, Guru warns his haters, communicates that he will always fight back, and that his fans will always be loyal to him. He is confident that he can overcome any obstacle because he has earned his stripes. The final verse reinforces the theme of the song, with Guru saying that he is a one-man army, and no one can bring him down. He emphasizes that he is a leader and a trailblazer, paving the way for others in the rap industry to follow.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea, it's the Baldhead SLick ya heard, aka dog ruizi, my man Solar on the track. I'm about to hit one out the park baby. Peep this
Introducing himself as Baldhead Slick aka dog ruizi, Guru boasts about his skills and announces that he is about to present an exceptional performance.
[Chorus] You need to put me in the hall of fame I'm worldwide, a legend in this game. Check the resume You could put me in the hall of fame I'm worldwide, a legend in this, Check the resume [x2]
In the chorus, Guru demands to be inducted into the hall of fame, calling himself 'worldwide' and a 'legend' in the industry while inviting others to 'check his resume.'
Peep my groundwork, check how it's masterfully laid Composition when written gets classically made Start with a concept then collect the beat Sit and write the bomb shit and rep the streets Respect my state of mind, I never waste a line Suckers are featherweight, while I'm heavyweight with mine I caught more war scars than others profess to Don't ask me to kick no rap, ask me to bless you It's special, just like a brand new three-eighty Have you thrash your CD, 'cause man your forgaize Or you could catch me with the gods building You can catch me on the mic, spitting juice to all the god's children If I sold out, I could've sold millions But in a minute, I'm about to hold billions 'Cause after the charade, and after the parade Niggaz got to pay homage, to the master of this trade
Guru claims that his work is meticulously laid out and built upon a solid foundation. His confidence is evident as he compares his heavyweight status to the 'featherweight' rappers. He describes his process of starting with a concept and crafting the beat before putting his soul into the rap. He jabs at rappers that "sold out," but also asserts that he's about to make billions. He believes that even if people don't appreciate his work at first, they will eventually acknowledge him as a master of the industry after the 'charade' is over.
[Chorus x2]
The chorus repeats.
My lineage is large, my pilgreamage was hard But I held down my square, my images of God I hit the corner like I'm real familiar I get up on ya like a wise guy will be familiar And all the haters want to throw me off, bitches want to blow me of Got die-hard fans, like I'm holy cross See I'ma put you in your place Niggaz be shook when they see a crook With triggers in their face The triple OG's is back in his rest Scheming on the way, to kill a demon is his quest I'm planning all the way, got cannons all the way Got a boat load of artillery, landing on the bay I never really cared about critical acclaim Still I never let a punk, try to ridicule my name And after all the hatin' and all of the debatin' Niggaz will run to the stage, to see the master conversatin'
In the second verse, Guru boasts about his heritage and how hard he has worked to get to where he is. He asserts his ability to handle himself in any situation, stereotyping haters as women and himself as the holy cross. He furthers his persona as a tough guy with weapons galore and emphasizes that he doesn't care much for critics. He concludes stating that, despite the hate and criticism, people will still come to see him perform as if he was conversing with a higher power.
[Chorus x2]
The chorus repeats.
I'm like a one-man army, You little bums can't harm me And don't try to send no little holocs to charm me The hall of famer with my microphone flamer The baller trainer with my monotone banger I travel light years mentally Essentially I'm wise, as if I've been here for centuries And after the charade, and after the parade Niggaz got to pay homage, to the master of this trade
In the final verse, Guru declares himself to be invincible and boasts his ability to withstand anyone's attacks. He describes himself as the 'hall of famer' with a powerful microphone and a monotone beat that trains 'ballers.' He argues that he is wiser than anyone, having experienced centuries worth of wisdom. He ends the song saying that people will eventually recognize and pay tribute to the master of the industry.
[Chorus x2]
The chorus repeats one last time.
Audience ovations
There are no meaningful lyrics to this line, it is simply an outro to the song.
Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Royal Vibes
Masterpiece . RIP GURU
bob
Guru U will Alwayz be in my Hall of Fame homie. Remember seeing u few times, In the Barbershop in Brklyn, at The Beez store on west 8th st, etc & U always had positive things to say. How many people tell other kids & people to 'Go to school, get a good education, have fun but stay out of Trouble', Not many. Most people strive out of negativity. U strive out of Positivity & other peoples successes. I do to, & take your Wise Lessons with Me in My & My Sons path of Life! RIP Big brother Guru! #Desciple #5Percenter #BkNyc #SBDcrewwww!!!!
David Rodriguez Jr
I can recite most of this too; production is on point
Rachendra Pyakurel
RIP man.
Ralph H
gross