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
Where's Our Money?!
Guru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, heh-heh, it's time y'all..
It's yours truly in the house, you know me
Baldhead Slick, that's right
That nigga who been puttin it down for years
Spittin fire
That's right, holdin it down in the streets
Fuck the industry bullshit
Spittin nothin but pure facts,
Plus I got my clip with me this time
And we aimin at your head punk
Ill Kid Records, New Milliennium duckets
Snatchin the cheese from right under you rats noses
[samples]
(Ladies and gentlemen!)
"You know and I know, I might drop a verse"
"When the mic's within my reach, I don't mean to preach"
"When the mic's within my reach..."
(Ladies and gentlemen!)
"When the mic's within my reach" "I'm nice like that"
[Guru]
Don't base my whole life on loot, but money sure helps
I keep it tight like army boots, to ensure wealth
I meet suckers everyday that rhyme, they say they rhyme
Most of them, corny as hell, won't get paid a dime
Alotta these punks, they all sound the same
They all sound lame, fakin like they down with the game
Against me they'll fail, I'm like the black Frankie Hale
I leave 'em slumped, and they body dumped over the rail
Show me respect, then cut me a fat check
You little niggaz are like virgins, you haven't had ass yet
Wet behind the ears while I been spittin darts for years
Don't make me embarass you in front of your so-called peers
Them fools gassed you in the first place, dirtface
Cocksucker thought you had wins got suck in the worst place
And that's when I, attack your fears
Cuz I'm a real racketeer, get my money and bring it back here
[Chorus]
It's me little homey, Gangsta B
Head Slick poppin off and it's thanks to me
Have the check in the mail to the bank for me
Flagrant chief, cuz that's how my behavior be
It's me gettin stocks and bonds, runnin with lots of dons
Don't buy the chain if you can't cop the charm
Me and my peeps carry lots of arms
Where's our money? Where's our money?
[samples]
(Ladies and gentlemen!)
"You know and I know, I might drop a verse"
"When the mic's within my reach, I don't mean to preach"
"When the mic's within my reach..."
(Ladies and gentlemen!)
"When the mic's within my reach" "I'm nice like that"
[Guru]
For the dough, I'll lay you out with no remorse
You'll get tossed, legs and limbs lost, just for tryna floss
I don't give a fuck if you think you're the man
You think I give a damn? You better think of a plan
I come through, like gangbusters to bang and crush ya
Cuz the fake cats that you hang with are suckas
One phone call, death to you all
Picture me scuffin up my new kicks or shoes in a brawl
Any problem with the law, I'll beat the case for real
Beat you in the face with steel, leave you so you can't taste or feel
For the cash, I'll take you out and your whole staff
Have you lookin funny as hell, but I won't laugh
It's gettin overcrowded in this rap game, so I slap lames
Who kick phony lip, with their wack names
I'm so and so, I'm this and that
You get dissed and smacked, while I counterfeit your stacks
[Chorus]
[samples]
(Ladies and gentlemen!)
"You know and I know, I might drop a verse"
"When the mic's within my reach, I don't mean to preach"
"When the mic's within my reach..."
(Ladies and gentlemen!)
"When the mic's within my reach" "I'm nice like that..."
The song "Where's Our Money?!" by Guru is about the rapper's frustration with the music industry and his insistence on getting paid for his work. The first verse in particular emphasizes his disdain for those who compromise their artistic integrity for money, contrasting himself as someone who stays true to his roots. He also asserts his dominance in the rap game and his willingness to do whatever it takes to protect his business interests. The chorus repeats the song's central question, "where's our money?", indicating that this is a common issue among hip-hop artists.
The song contains several samples, including the line "when the mic's within my reach, I'm nice like that" which appears multiple times throughout the track. This quote is from the song "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" by jazz rap group Digable Planets, released in 1992. Another sample used is from the song "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, which plays the line "it's like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder how I keep from going under". These samples add to the overall theme of the song, which is about the struggle of being a rapper and the financial pressures that come with the industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't base my whole life on loot, but money sure helps
Money isn't everything, but it certainly makes life easier
I keep it tight like army boots, to ensure wealth
I'm careful with my money and investments to ensure financial security
Most of them, corny as hell, won't get paid a dime
Many aspiring rappers are untalented and won't make money off their music
They all sound lame, fakin like they down with the game
Many rappers sound unoriginal and try too hard to sound like they're part of the rap scene
Wet behind the ears while I been spittin darts for years
I'm a seasoned rapper with years of experience, unlike many of these young newcomers
Them fools gassed you in the first place, dirtface
Your friends hyped you up to be something you're not, and that's why you failed
For the dough, I'll lay you out with no remorse
I'll do whatever it takes to get my hands on money, even if it means violence
Picture me scuffin up my new kicks or shoes in a brawl
I'm too cool and expensive to ruin my shoes by getting into a fight
You get dissed and smacked, while I counterfeit your stacks
I'll insult and physically harm you while also duplicating your money
Where's our money? Where's our money?
I demand to know where my money is and won't stop until I get it
Contributed by Jasmine R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@steviemc9502
It was a pleasure to see you do your thing at the classic grand in glasgow
RIP guru
@lethalassassin1754
This single track could end anyone at once. What’s better is he can back everything he claims because he was real.
@otmblond7187
GIFTED UNLIMITED RHYMES UNIVERSAL.....R.I.P
@reginaldpeters5142
guru. in a class all my himself. a major legacy.
@Stralle92
Big respect from SERBIA!
@cmdeeqtee7057
Bring It Back
@ThaRapture1
LEGEND.
@lorenzokirbiano
deadly