Guru (July 17, 1961 – April 19, 2010) was one half of the legendary hip hop… Read Full Bio ↴Guru (July 17, 1961 – April 19, 2010) was one half of the legendary hip hop duo Gang Starr and an accomplished solo artist. Guru, an acronym for Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal, originally began his hip hop career in Boston but due to lack of local support moved to New York where Gang Starr then blew up. Guru was well known for his smooth voice; socially conscious and hardcore lyrics; and an effortless, confident delivery.
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
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
LOST SOUL
Guru Lyrics
Doing it in the house like this
Going out to the lost souls
Doing this for you and yours
Comin' straight to you from the Guru and the crew
To the lost souls
I hope you find your way someday
That's why I sit, and I pray
For the lost souls
I hope you find your way someday
That's why I sit, and I pray
Sometimes I wonder why
Some people can't see what's beyond the naked eye
So therefore I must fortify
Techniques of communication
For beyond what is considered to be
Normal conversation
So I need some proper 'ticipation
Am I giving what you need?
Yes, true indeed
As greed grows like weed
Many bad seeds start to contaminate the crop
I think that needs to stop hops
Brothers are slain over respect and clout
While their mothers are trying to figure out
What's it all about
But when you give up on self, that's when you lost
'Cause you're playing with your life
Like it's a coin toss
No doubt I release a form of speech
Relative to urban outreach
Transmitted messages to each true listener
Rhymes divine but rough
Like the skin on blisters
'Cause the truth hurts
Plus I got no time for runnin' around, chasin' skirts
So, see, my sound is a corrector
A profound lecture
Quality texture
That's because of what I see
A lot of emcees are gassed like hellium
Word up, G
A lot of people in general are straight up no good
Makes me want to shoot 'em
Aiyo, maybe I should
But instead I parlay
Maintain self control
And say a prayer for the lost souls
Get up, stand up
Come on, stand up for your right
One, two
I go to new heights with my insight
Whipping my mic tight
With the height of a scholar
Equipped with the gift to make crazy dollars
But that ain't the whole
See my heart is in it
That's the only way one could even attempt to win it
Dj spin it while others critique
But the science makes 'em weak
Check the words that I speak
See, it's ridiculous for us
Not to discuss
The real issues
Like all you phonies
And why I dis you
Dismiss you as a lost soul
If you don't watch where you step
You can become indirect
And you know that you will lose your soul
And if you truly want to lose
Until there's nothing to choose
Then you know that you will lose your soul
To the lost soul
I hope you find your way someday
So I sit, and I pray
For the lost soul
I hope you find your way someday
Lose it
You can lose it
You can lose it
You can lose your soul
To the lost soul
Hope you find your way
I hope you find your way someday
Going out to the lost souls
Doing this for you and yours
Comin' straight to you from the Guru and the crew
To the lost souls
I hope you find your way someday
That's why I sit, and I pray
For the lost souls
I hope you find your way someday
Sometimes I wonder why
Some people can't see what's beyond the naked eye
So therefore I must fortify
Techniques of communication
For beyond what is considered to be
Normal conversation
So I need some proper 'ticipation
Am I giving what you need?
Yes, true indeed
As greed grows like weed
Many bad seeds start to contaminate the crop
I think that needs to stop hops
Brothers are slain over respect and clout
While their mothers are trying to figure out
What's it all about
But when you give up on self, that's when you lost
'Cause you're playing with your life
Like it's a coin toss
No doubt I release a form of speech
Relative to urban outreach
Transmitted messages to each true listener
Rhymes divine but rough
Like the skin on blisters
'Cause the truth hurts
Plus I got no time for runnin' around, chasin' skirts
So, see, my sound is a corrector
A profound lecture
Quality texture
That's because of what I see
A lot of emcees are gassed like hellium
Word up, G
A lot of people in general are straight up no good
Makes me want to shoot 'em
Aiyo, maybe I should
But instead I parlay
Maintain self control
And say a prayer for the lost souls
Get up, stand up
Come on, stand up for your right
One, two
I go to new heights with my insight
Whipping my mic tight
With the height of a scholar
Equipped with the gift to make crazy dollars
But that ain't the whole
See my heart is in it
That's the only way one could even attempt to win it
Dj spin it while others critique
But the science makes 'em weak
Check the words that I speak
See, it's ridiculous for us
Not to discuss
The real issues
Like all you phonies
And why I dis you
Dismiss you as a lost soul
If you don't watch where you step
You can become indirect
And you know that you will lose your soul
And if you truly want to lose
Until there's nothing to choose
Then you know that you will lose your soul
To the lost soul
I hope you find your way someday
So I sit, and I pray
For the lost soul
I hope you find your way someday
Lose it
You can lose it
You can lose it
You can lose your soul
To the lost soul
Hope you find your way
I hope you find your way someday
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carlos Manuel Bess, Keith Elam, Jason Kay, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found