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
Who's There
Guru Lyrics
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shelter
About pain and heartache, ain't nothing you can tell her
The case worker says that she should find a job
But does this worker know what kind of jobs that there are?
Degrading things like cleaning up people's vomit
For a little bit of dough, and plus your brain gets nothing from
it
I'm smarter than that this girl thinks to herself
I'm worth more than that, she thinks to herself
She pours a drink for herself while she stares out the window
This guy says he got work for her, maybe she should go to him yo
The money's good, and plus he'll dress her up nice
She left her baby's daddy cuz he beat her up twice
She don't really like sex
But she hates welfare checks
And where there's money, that's where she thinks there's respect
And what's this girl's purpose? Will she self-destruct?
When this sisters about to go down, who's there to help her up?
who's there for me?
[Guru]
These distraught thoughts of a young man in a rooming house
This messed up life, this poverty, he could do without
But what options does he have when all hope is gone?
A brother gotta eat, plus all the Henny and all the smoke is
gone
All it takes is one quick stick
Gotta fill his belly now, which vic should he pick?
He does his dirt all by his lonely, forget his homies
He doesn't fell like splitting any loot, them suckas be acting
phony
So much potential but all gone to waste
Now he lurks in night, with a loaded gun on his waist
Too late for this lost soul, his life's in a chokehold
Mentality is weak, and doing crime is all he knows
Never caring who he hurts, as long as he's taking money
Forget an education, and legal ways of making money
And what's this kid's purpose? Will he self-destruct?
When a brother's about to go down, who's there to help him up?
(Les Nubians singing Chorus)
[Guru]
Who's there for my people on the streets? (Who's there? Who's
there?)
Who's there for my people who got nothing to eat? (Who's there?
Who's there?)
They build more prisons, and close down schools
Who's there to teach the children the golden rules?(Who's there?
Who's there?)
Who's there for my people in the streets?(Who's there? Who's
there?)
Who's there for my people who got nothing to eat?(Who's there?
Who's there?)
They break our family, neglect the elderly
Who's there to bring a cure? Where's the remedy?(Who's there?
Who's there?)
(Les Nubians signing)
The lyrics of this song by Guru Les Nubians explore the struggles of people facing poverty and limited options for survival. The first verse describes a single mother living in a homeless shelter, feeling trapped by the degrading jobs offered to her by a case worker. She contemplates taking a job offered by a man that pays well but may require her to compromise her values by engaging in sex work. The chorus repeats the question "who's there" with increasing urgency, asking who is there to help those on the street, who is there to teach children, and who is there to bring a cure for the broken family and neglect of the elderly.
The second verse focuses on a young man in a rooming house, feeling lost and turning to crime to survive. He has given up on education and legal means of making money and is entrenched in a cycle of violence and poverty. The song ends with the refrain of "who's there" echoing through the chorus, emphasizing the need for systemic change and support for those struggling in poverty.
The song provides a powerful commentary on the effects of systemic inequality and the need for greater social support systems to break cycles of poverty and violence. The lyrics demonstrate a deep empathy for those facing difficult circumstances, while also highlighting the need for broader societal change to address the root causes of poverty and neglect.
Line by Line Meaning
These distraught thoughts of a single mother in a homeless shelter
A single mother is in a homeless shelter with a lot of distress and negative thoughts.
About pain and heartache, ain't nothing you can tell her
The woman is experiencing pain and heartache, and no one can offer solace or comfort.
The case worker says that she should find a job
Someone suggests that she should start working.
But does this worker know what kind of jobs that there are?
The mother doubts the knowledge of the case worker regarding the available jobs.
Degrading things like cleaning up people's vomit
The work she could get might not be decent and could involve undignified activities such as cleaning vomit.
For a little bit of dough, and plus your brain gets nothing from it
Despite the low pay, the job might not offer any intellectual stimulation or career growth.
I'm smarter than that this girl thinks to herself
The woman believes she's intelligent enough to get better work and not compromise herself.
I'm worth more than that, she thinks to herself
She has a high regard for herself and believes she needs to find work that reflects her value.
She pours a drink for herself while she stares out the window
The woman is self-medicating and contemplating her situation alone.
This guy says he got work for her, maybe she should go to him yo
A man outside the shelter approaches her with a possible job opportunity.
The money's good, and plus he'll dress her up nice
The job, the income, and the possibility of receiving some stylish dressing appeal to her.
She left her baby's daddy cuz he beat her up twice
She had to leave the father of her baby as he abused her on two occasions.
She don't really like sex
She is not interested in the sexual aspect of this job.
But she hates welfare checks
She doesn't want to rely on welfare checks for her survival.
And where there's money, that's where she thinks there's respect
She feels that she will gain respect if she can support herself and her child on her own.
And what's this girl's purpose? Will she self-destruct?
The song questions this woman's future and whether she will end up self-destructing.
When this sisters about to go down, who's there to help her up?
The song highlights the need for someone to come forward and help this woman when she's in trouble.
These distraught thoughts of a young man in a rooming house
The song shifts focus to a young man in a rooming house with similar struggles and negative thoughts.
This messed up life, this poverty, he could do without
The young man feels that his poverty-stricken life is overwhelming and doesn't want to deal with it anymore.
But what options does he have when all hope is gone?
Despite his will, the young man's situation seems hopeless.
A brother gotta eat, plus all the Henny and all the smoke is gone
The young man needs to eat, and he has spent all his money on alcohol and cigarettes.
All it takes is one quick stick
The young man is willing to commit a crime to get money.
Gotta fill his belly now, which vic should he pick?
He is scavenging and trying to determine the best person to rob and get some money to eat.
He does his dirt all by his lonely, forget his homies
He has no one to trust and is working alone as his friends seem unreliable.
He doesn't fell like splitting any loot, them suckas be acting phony
He is frustrated with the behavior of his friends and feels they are not trustworthy enough to share his earnings with.
So much potential but all gone to waste
The young man had potential, but his situation and choices have led him to waste his potentials.
Now he lurks in night, with a loaded gun on his waist
The young man goes around with a gun on him and often robs people in the dark of the night.
Too late for this lost soul, his life's in a chokehold
It is too late for him to turn his life around, and he is stuck in a dangerous situation.
Mentality is weak, and doing crime is all he knows
His mentality is weak and can only resort to crime to survive.
Never caring who he hurts, as long as he's taking money
He is not concerned about hurting criminals since his primary motivation is to get money.
Forget an education, and legal ways of making money
The young man has given up on education and opportunities to make money legally and opted to pursue crime.
Who's there for my people on the streets? (Who's there? Who's there?)
The song is questioning if there's anyone willing to help the underprivileged people on the street.
They build more prisons, and close down schools
The government's priorities are incarcerating people instead of educating them.
Who's there to teach the children the golden rules? (Who's there? Who's there?)
There's a lack of quality education to instill morals and education in children from underprivileged backgrounds.
They break our family, neglect the elderly
The government is responsible for the dissolution of families and ill-treatment of the elderly.
Who's there to bring a cure? Where's the remedy? (Who's there? Who's there?)
The song is asking who the solution is to these social issues affecting people who come from economically weaker backgrounds.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHAUN MATTHEW VERREAULT, EARL ALGUZAR PEREIRA, SAFWAN YASIR JAVED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind