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
Step in the Arena 2
Guru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
"Police sirens"
[Doo Wop]
Once you step in the arena, cheater
YOu gon' see what the fuck *I said* Listen up, *I said*
A whole lot of things on the minds of most of my mens
But they shy, so may I
Say things that currently, common thugs wondering
Like If I made a hot beat, could I fuck Lil' Kim
Why did Ron Artest flip on the fans
But ain't do shit to Ben Wallace, knowledge
Do the one son, who is son
Ay yo Guru *Peace Wop* stop playing
There's a certain sucker, imposter, rocking your name
It's kind of lame, it's kind of strange
When they know GangStarr, go back far
Rap's throwback, splat, hold that dawg
Engineer that ass back to ass-cap dawg
So you could fine-tune your membership card
[Guru]
Why don't you step in the arena, cheater
You gon' see what the fuck *I said* listen up *I said*
Got a whole lot of things on my mind I want to spit, I ain't shy
*I said*, so may I *I said*
Does this idiot here, have any fucking idea
How many mics I've touched in my illustrious career
Got mass appeal, to get a rep, I grab the steel
Code of the street, and not they have to kneel
Before the bling era, NYC had it locked
Have we forgot *I said*, I'll blow your spot *I said*
I'm from the days of when Big and Pac used to be tight
Known to get loose with a mic, I'm used to the fight
Listen, I ain't your average meat-rapper
I'm well acquanted with beats
So of course we keep clappers
Forget the politics and who's supposed to be nice
I represent what a MC's supposed to be like
[Doo Wop]
Hennessy was a popular drink and it still is
My name is Wop, considered one of the illest
Mixtape inovador, spit plus kill a fader
Never did a bid, but the kid know how to spit a razor
Born in east LA, but the Bronx raised me up
What you want *I said* *I said*
We could get it crunk, cracking or popping
This is Wop, and what, the hole locked
[Guru]
I could see clearly now, the rain is gone
Solar supplying tracks we getting famous on
Bodies got laid out once the bangers rung
But they still want to play, knowing the game is done
One over, we bring the slaughter like fluff waters
Boy it's deadly *I said* You not ready *I said*
I put in work like a factory
Have you losing your faculties
You heard me *I said* you not worthy
[Doo Wop]
Once you step in the arena, cheater
YOu gon' see what the fuck *I said* Listen up, *I said*
A whole lot of things on the minds of most of my mens
But they shy, so may I
Say things that currently, common thugs wondering
Why did Ron Artest flip on the fans
But ain't do shit to Ben Wallace, knowledge
Do the one son, who is son
Ay yo Guru *Peace Wop* stop playing
There's a certain sucker, imposter, rocking your name
It's kind of lame, it's kind of strange
When they know GangStarr, go back far
Rap's throwback, splat, hold that dawg
Engineer that ass back to ass-cap dawg
So you could fine-tune your membership card
[Guru]
Why don't you step in the arena, cheater
You gon' see what the fuck *I said* listen up *I said*
Got a whole lot of things on my mind I want to spit, I ain't shy
*I said*, so may I *I said*
Does this idiot here, have any fucking idea
How many mics I've touched in my illustrious career
Got mass appeal, to get a rep, I grab the steel
Code of the street, and not they have to kneel
Before the bling era, NYC had it locked
Have we forgot *I said*, I'll blow your spot *I said*
I'm from the days of when Big and Pac used to be tight
Known to get loose with a mic, I'm used to the fight
Listen, I ain't your average meat-rapper
I'm well acquanted with beats
So of course we keep clappers
Forget the politics and who's supposed to be nice
I represent what a MC's supposed to be like
[Doo Wop]
Hennessy was a popular drink and it still is
My name is Wop, considered one of the illest
Mixtape inovador, spit plus kill a fader
Never did a bid, but the kid know how to spit a razor
Born in east LA, but the Bronx raised me up
What you want *I said* *I said*
We could get it crunk, cracking or popping
This is Wop, and what, the hole locked
[Guru]
I could see clearly now, the rain is gone
Solar supplying tracks we getting famous on
Bodies got laid out once the bangers rung
But they still want to play, knowing the game is done
One over, we bring the slaughter like fluff waters
Boy it's deadly *I said* You not ready *I said*
I put in work like a factory
Have you losing your faculties
You heard me *I said* you not worthy
The song "Step in the Arena 2" by Guru begins with a sample of police sirens, which sets the tone for the song that discusses the ins and outs of the hip-hop world. The lyrics of the song reveal the artists' perspectives on different aspects of the industry, such as the desire for fame and the need to prove oneself through skills on the mic. Guru addresses the idea that one has to prove themselves to be a true MC in the game, using his own experience as a well-established rapper.
The lyrics also touch on various topics such as Lil' Kim's sexuality, the Ron Artest and Ben Wallace incident, and the importance of knowing the history of rap. Overall, the song seems to be a call to action for anyone who wants to make it in the hip-hop industry; to step up to the challenge and prove themselves through their lyrical abilities.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: CHRIS E. MARTIN, KEITH ELAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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D Sleeps
wow, thank you for that info, about Guru setting it straight about himself and his name, i listened to the song a few time but wouldn't you know it, it just hit me. Dope track, dope vocals, guru with his battle stylistic verses off the chain, big ups for the vid peace!
GregTheMack
wtf 7 grand records have done with a classic song...guru's genius raps diserve good beats from preemo like in the old times...R.I.P. guru
ksolo03
ALWYAS LOVE THIS TRUE MC and his DJ, well Nuff said REAL HIP HOP FOREVER
Mr.Ripper
I liked how Solar called out Ron Artest for flippin' on the fans and not on Ben Wallace. That was cold
John Cooney
Mr.Ripper that was Doo Wop
highpower5
thats the legendary dj doo wop! a legend in the game! (early in the game with mixtapes n shit!)
John Johnathan
thats just me man. i love how in this song the lyrics catch you by suprise
intense34
The sample is off the hook. It really "fits" the beat.
Freeman Walid
that's guru from 89 to 2009 20 years of legacy
distanct
I hate to state this, since Guru IS one of my all time favorite emcees, but his lyrical growth hit a snag after Moment of Truth. The Ownerz was a let down bc the big headed side of Guru appeared more often. Cutting to the bottom line, his rhymes don't excite as they had in the past. Take for example the original "Step In The Arena" cd, where the patterns are more intricate and the diction is more expansive & specific. I look at him now and want to say, Stop living in the past brotha.