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
Respect The Architect
Guru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"So, respect the architect."
"So, respect the architect."
"So, respect the architect as I begin to build."
[Bahamadia]
I'm mystical; don't be deceived by the visual
Visible preference is pure; patent it back to metaphors
Analyze my memoirs, runnin' on eight, four poetic meter
Soarin' way beyond
Iambic pentameter or juvenile flam
Unsyncopated soul, piercin' earlobes and egos
My vocals read these thoughts - am I hardcore?
To the grain
[Guru]
Lame-game, plain-Jane emcees can't approach these
I shake chumps like fleas; I hold the keys
To drive you, guide you, provide you
With the real joints; ahem, I clear my throat of phlegm
The architect, selecting the blueprints
To rid the game of nuisance
Sucker reducin' with the fusion
Rhymes solid like cement in my musical solution
Stackin' concrete flows; look out below
"So, respect the architect."
"So, respect the architect as I begin to build."
[Guru]
Rhymes get all up in your grill like freckles
Most emcees couldn't see me with bifocal spectacles
There's no protectin' you; with realness, I'm wreckin' you
I'm beggin' you - take a look into the cipher
You're dirt on my windshield, so I'm turnin' on my wipers
And I can see clearly now
No other rapper is near me
And all you perpetrators shall fear me now
[Bahamadia]
Never flip folklores, only realness
Coincide with the rhythm like I did with Total Wreck
Respect the architect in this division
Rhymes written to be hittin' like anti-proton collisions
Rap newest edition, bringin' the feminine in renditions
In rare form, defined as optimal for my pedigrees
In skill three like three-sixty degrees as in well-rounded
Leavin' the competition dumb-founded
For when I catch wreck, I astound
"So, respect the architect."
"So, respect the architect."
"So, respect the architect."
"So respect the architect... as I begin to build."
[Guru]
Floor to ceiling, constantly building
With power to construct towers of rap cream, kid; what?
Dreamin' you're lyrical, physical, mystical?
Your concept's mediocre, plus you're way too typical withcha
Corny delivery and crazy, whack voice
Mad corny image; that's why I give you jitters
It figures I'd have to dust you off the scene
Like a wiseguy, with my New York lean
[Bahamadia]
Lines that I supply fortify the nuclei of mindstate
From state to state, universal, be the orals that I create
Top notch and on lock like Sentry; opponents could never tempt me
Samplin' my style like an Akai S-950, and still can't get with me
While I spread this verbal plague like bubonic
Conductin' phonics like the Philharmonics
I make in measured melody; kids praise me like the crucifix
So place Bahamad' amongst your top ten of emcees
"So, respect the architect."
"So, respect the architect."
"So, respect the architect."
"So respect the architect... as I begin to build."
[Guru]
Yeah, neverending, knah I'm sayin? Always buildin'
My homegirl Bahamadia in the hidouse, yeah, yeah
And of course, my man the legend
Ramsey Lewis
So respect the architect, knah I'm sayin?
One love
"Respect the Architect" is a collaboration between Guru and Bahamadia. This song is all about respecting the art and craft of rap that requires skills, creativity, and hard work, comparing it to the architectural process. The song opens and closes with the repeated line "So, respect the architect" implying that the rap artists and architects both build something, which requires admiration from people. In between, both the artists put forth their skills and musical flow to showcase why they deserve the respect they're asking for.
Bahamadia talks about how she's unique, mystical, and not to be deceived by her physical appearance. She uses metaphors and poetic meters to describe her style to highlight her lyrical skills, which are beyond the levels of an ordinary rapper. Likewise, Guru puts down other rappers who have poor delivery, corny concepts, and mediocre lyrics. He claims that instead, he creates actual lyrical concepts, holding the keys, guiding, and providing the real hip-hop music to the fans.
The repeated line "So, respect the architect as I begin to build" further establishes how rapping and architecture share this sense of creativity, skill, and dedication to the art form. Both need a strong foundation to make something unique and exceptional. Respect is needed for something that's great, and rappers are architects of their own unique style, which is worthy of admiration.
Line by Line Meaning
So, respect the architect.
The architect is the one who constructs masterpieces and should always be respected.
I'm mystical; don't be deceived by the visual
I have a hidden power and should not be judged by my physical appearance.
Visible preference is pure; patent it back to metaphors
My style is unique and full of metaphors that are pure and genuine.
Greetin' 'em Illa del style wild
I am greeting everyone with a wild, Illa del style.
Analyze my memoirs, runnin' on eight, four poetic meter
My memoirs are analyzed with an eight-four poetic meter, showcasing my poetic skills.
Soarin' way beyond Iambic pentameter or juvenile flam
I am way beyond the basic Iambic pentameter or juvenile flow style of rapping.
Unsyncopated soul, piercin' earlobes and egos
My unsyncopated soulful style is unique and can pierce through people's earlobes and egos.
My vocals read these thoughts - am I hardcore? To the grain
My vocals can express my thoughts and showcase whether I am a hardcore rapper or not.
Lame-game, plain-Jane emcees can't approach these
Basic, non-original emcees cannot compare to my skills.
I shake chumps like fleas; I hold the keys
I can easily defeat unworthy rappers and hold the key to the game.
To drive you, guide you, provide you with the real joints; ahem, I clear my throat of phlegm
I can guide and provide the other rappers with the real essence of rap and clear my throat to express it.
The architect, selecting the blueprints to rid the game of nuisance
As the architect, I am selecting the blueprints to get rid of the nuisance and create something extraordinary in the game.
Rhymes solid like cement in my musical solution
My rhymes are solid, like cement, in my musical solution that has a profound effect on people.
Rhymes get all up in your grill like freckles
My rhymes can get all up in someone's face like freckles.
Most emcees couldn't see me with bifocal spectacles
Majority of emcees cannot match or compare to my skills even with bifocal spectacles.
There's no protectin' you; with realness, I'm wreckin' you
There is no way to protect oneself from my real and powerful lyrics that can wreck the opponent.
Never flip folklores, only realness
I never change the originality and only present the real essence of rap.
Coincide with the rhythm like I did with Total Wreck
I can coincide with the rhythm of any song and present my skills, like I did in Total Wreck.
Lines that I supply fortify the nuclei of mindstate
My lines strengthen the cores of people's mindstate.
From state to state, universal, be the orals that I create
My orals can reach a universal level that can be expressed from state to state.
Top notch and on lock like Sentry; opponents could never tempt me
My skills are top-notch and locked like Sentry, making it impossible for opponents to tempt me.
Lines written to be hittin' like anti-proton collisions
My lines are written to hit hard like anti-proton collisions.
Rap newest edition, bringin' the feminine in renditions
I am the newest edition of rap, bringing the feminine side to renditions.
In rare form, defined as optimal for my pedigrees
I am in my rare form, which is considered optimal for my pedigrees.
Leavin' the competition dumb-founded
I am leaving the competition stunned and speechless.
Floor to ceiling, constantly building
I am constantly building and improving my skills from the floor to ceiling.
With power to construct towers of rap cream, kid; what?
I have the power to build and create rap masterpieces that can reach a pinnacle level.
Dreamin' you're lyrical, physical, mystical?
Are you dreaming of having a lyrical, physical or mystical skill like mine?
Your concept's mediocre, plus you're way too typical withcha
Your concept is basic, and you are just following the typical trend, which is not unique.
Corny delivery and crazy, whack voice
Your voice and delivery are corny and whack, which is not impressive.
Mad corny image; that's why I give you jitters
Your image is corny, which is making you nervous.
It figures I'd have to dust you off the scene like a wiseguy, with my New York lean
It is expected that I would have to remove you from the rap scene gracefully and cleverly with my New York style.
And of course, my man the legend Ramsey Lewis
Ramsey Lewis, a legend in music, is also present.
One love
Sending love and respect to everyone.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network, CTM Publishing
Written by: KEITH ELAM, ANTONIA REED, ANTHONY BEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind