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
Looking Through Darkness
Guru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know sometimes I be lookin' through the darkness
Tryin' to find the light
Tryin' to do what's right with all my might
[Mica Paris] (Guru)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Yeah, I'm lookin', lookin' at you)
(I see you lookin' at me; whatcha want to do?)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Here we go; take a walk with me)
(Lookin' through the darkness
Check it out now, now, now, now, now, now)
[Guru]
Now, as I peer through the window of gloom, and everyday living
And all the hardships one faces to make you give in
I dig more intensely, finding greater strength
A lot of heads is empty
I've got a greater rank
Than emcees not aware of situations
That'll force one to understand true stipulations
Thou shalt not bite
Thou shalt not front
Fake it if you want, but for the battles I've come, 'cause I'm...
[Mica Paris] (Guru)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Yeah, I'm lookin' out, lookin' at you)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Lookin' at me; my style is free; do you want to be?)
[Guru]
For me this rap life is real life
I don't have to create some false image to make the crowd get hyped
Too many children get the wrong message from clowns that walk around
Hopelessly lost, thinkin' that they're the boss
They're in a daze, while dope emcees don't get the front page
Me - I try to channel my rage
As I travel through the city regularly
Turning the anger and frustration straight into energy
Yes, you will remember me as the brother who cared
To dare to step up, with his soul bared
But never fearing 'cause I've got instructions
From Him, to go and fight the corruption, so I'm...
[Mica Paris] (Guru)
Lookin' through the darkness
(I've got to look through it, try to, try to find the light)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Uh, maintainin')
[Guru]
My granddaddy always told me to keep the light shining
So as my mic illuminates, you can feel the state that I'm in
Thoroughly immersed in a verse; way more than hardcore
I endure 'cause in myself I'm secure
Delivering syllables and selections with profound perfection
Comin' back like the resurrection
In this session, I'm professin', that those who don't
Hear and understand, never loved me, and so I planned
To take a stand, as one who is firmly focused
Plus I'm mad worthy with words
I rock from East New York all the way to the suburbs
The lightkeeper, knowledge seeker
I switch the stress that's on my mind
Into the voice that rocks your speaker
And I get deeper than the ocean when I'm...
[Mica Paris] (Guru)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Yeah, I'm lookin' through it)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Ain't nothing to it but to do it
Gotta freak it, now let me freak it; check it out)
Lookin' through the darkness
(All my life)
(Lookin' through the darkness
Yeah, ohh yeah)
[Guru]
Yo, I'm so ill, I go ill, when beats with jazz
Fill my need to express myself; like the blues, I can't lose
Weak emcees - they're seekin' refuge
From my barrage; there's no rescue
Then I look through the madness, finding sanity
I'm crazy alert; I never swim in vanity
I do this rap stuff every year
Aiyyo, peace to my fam, especially my man, Premier, as I'm...
[Mica Paris] (Guru)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Yeah, lookin' out to the wilderness)
Lookin' through the darkness
(The jungle, uhh; everybody's got to rumble)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Lookin' through the darkness)
[Mica Paris] (Guru)
Lookin' through the darkness
Lookin' through the darkness
(Got to find my way; doin' my own thing)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Walkin' through the darkness)
Got to find a way
Got to get, got to get it on
(Can you see the light?)
Got to get, got to get, got to get it on
(Peace aight)
Lookin' through the darkness
Lookin' through the darkness
Got to get, got to get, I've got to get it on
Lookin' through the darkness
Got to get, got to get, I've got to get it on
Got to get, got to get, I've got to get it on
The lyrics to Guru's song Looking Through Darkness are about searching for the true path through the struggles of everyday life. The beginning of the song references the darkness that comes with these struggles, and the search for light and the right path to follow despite the obstacles. Guru's verses suggest that he will not compromise his true self to please others or gain success, but instead will remain true to his own beliefs and values. He emphasizes the importance of realness and authenticity in the music world and in life as a whole, and encourages listeners to find their own strength and conviction in the face of adversity.
The chorus sung by Mica Paris emphasizes the idea of "looking through the darkness" to find one's way, and suggests that this is a universal journey that everyone must undertake. The use of repetition in the chorus conveys the idea of perseverance and determination - the act of looking and searching through the darkness is ongoing and requires effort and focus. The second chorus also features a line about "doin' my own thing," which reinforces the notion that the path to light and truth is a personal one that cannot be dictated by others.
Overall, the song reminds listeners that life can be difficult and full of obstacles, but that with strength and perseverance we can find our way through the darkness and find the light.
Line by Line Meaning
You know sometimes I be lookin' through the darkness
I often struggle to find the light amidst difficult times.
Tryin' to find the light
Attempting to discover the positive in a negative situation.
Tryin' to do what's right with all my might
Putting forth significant effort to make ethical decisions.
Lookin' through the darkness
Continuing to search for hope despite a dark outlook.
Now, as I peer through the window of gloom, and everyday living
As I observe the challenging aspects of daily life.
And all the hardships one faces to make you give in
The difficult circumstances that can result in a sense of defeat.
I dig more intensely, finding greater strength
I strive to push through obstacles and grow stronger as a result.
A lot of heads is empty
Many people lack a deeper understanding of life's challenges.
I've got a greater rank
I possess a higher level of insight or enlightenment.
Than emcees not aware of situations
I have more understanding than rappers who do not recognize the difficulties of life.
That'll force one to understand true stipulations
The circumstances that lead someone to truly comprehend reality.
Thou shalt not bite
Do not copy or steal from others.
Thou shalt not front
Do not pretend to be someone you are not.
Fake it if you want, but for the battles I've come, 'cause I'm...
Others may choose to pretend, but I have faced and overcome real challenges.
For me this rap life is real life
I take my profession as a rapper seriously.
I don't have to create some false image to make the crowd get hyped
I do not have to pretend to be anything I am not to gain attention from my audience.
Too many children get the wrong message from clowns that walk around
Many young people receive harmful messages from rappers who do not offer positive guidance.
Hopelessly lost, thinkin' that they're the boss
Feeling lost and misguided, but still believing they are in control.
They're in a daze, while dope emcees don't get the front page
Less talented rappers often receive more recognition and success than those who truly excel.
Me - I try to channel my rage
I work to direct my anger and frustration into something productive.
As I travel through the city regularly
As I move through life on a consistent basis.
Turning the anger and frustration straight into energy
Transforming negative emotions into positive motivation.
Yes, you will remember me as the brother who cared
I hope to be remembered for my compassion and concern for others.
To dare to step up, with his soul bared
To bravely express oneself, revealing their true self.
But never fearing 'cause I've got instructions
Despite challenges, I remain unafraid because of my guidance or inspiration.
From Him, to go and fight the corruption, so I'm...
I feel directed by a higher power to combat societal problems.
My granddaddy always told me to keep the light shining
My grandfather encouraged me to always promote positivity.
So as my mic illuminates, you can feel the state that I'm in
My music helps to convey the current state of my emotions and perspective.
Thoroughly immersed in a verse; way more than hardcore
Fully absorbed in my rhymes, beyond the surface-level aspects of rap music.
I endure 'cause in myself I'm secure
I am able to persevere because I am confident in myself and my abilities.
Comin' back like the resurrection
Returning and becoming stronger, akin to a religious resurrection.
In this session, I'm professin', that those who don't
During this performance, I am proclaiming that those who do not understand or appreciate my music do not truly care about me.
Hear and understand, never loved me, and so I planned
Those who do not comprehend my art do not genuinely care for me, leading me to take action.
To take a stand, as one who is firmly focused
To stand up for what I believe in and strongly advocate for my beliefs.
Plus I'm mad worthy with words
I am highly skilled with rap lyrics.
I rock from East New York all the way to the suburbs
I am popular and successful in both urban and suburban areas.
The lightkeeper, knowledge seeker
I aim to promote positivity and learning.
I switch the stress that's on my mind
I redirect the negative thoughts on my mind.
Into the voice that rocks your speaker
Transforming mental stress into powerful rap lyrics.
Yo, I'm so ill, I go ill, when beats with jazz
I am especially talented when rapping over jazz beats.
Fill my need to express myself; like the blues, I can't lose
Rap satisfies my desire for self-expression, similar to the effect of the blues genre.
Weak emcees - they're seekin' refuge
Less talented rappers are trying to escape or hide from scrutiny.
From my barrage; there's no rescue
They cannot find a way to deflect or escape from my strong, direct lyrics.
Then I look through the madness, finding sanity
Despite chaotic circumstances, I am able to maintain a sense of clarity.
I'm crazy alert; I never swim in vanity
I remain alert and attentive, avoiding a sense of arrogant self-importance.
I do this rap stuff every year
I am consistently active in the rap industry.
Aiyyo, peace to my fam, especially my man, Premier, as I'm...
Sending a shout-out to my family and my colleague Premier during this notable performance.
Got to find a way
I must discover a solution, path, or opportunity.
Got to get, got to get it on
I must take action and pursue success.
Can you see the light?
Asking whether others can recognize positive possibilities or opportunities within their lives.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DERRICK R L HARRIS, KEITH ELAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind