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
Young Ladies
Guru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, this is the real vibes, okay?
To all the man and the 'oman dem out there
This the word
The original jazz and the reggae vibe
Yeah, watch this
[Big Shug]
[Patra]
Yeah, this is Patra, the Queen of the Dancehall
Teamin' up with Guru, of course
[Big Shug]
Young ladies, fly ladies, young ladies in the house
[Patra]
Bad, bad by law, you no say you're da numba one
Trust me
Watch dis!
[Guru]
Come on, take a ride with the lyrical five foot eight
And three-quarter warrior; I saw you pass me in the corridor
P.O.W. - the eye to eye contact was all that
I dug your little steelo; fine, you dug mine
You want my digits? I'm with it (take it)
You could ring me up whenever; whatever's clever (One time)
[Big Shug]
Stroll your way; you know you want me (Bo!)
So bring your game over here to the bar
You know you want to sit and hang with the star
Maybe get a new house, and a brand, new, car! (a-hah-hah)
But the price ain't right
'Cause I ain't your size, baby, and I ain't your type
[Kool Keith]
Check it
Your honey's fly, but she wants me; I'm all that
She's perpetratin' like she never even heard the record
Or saw the video, or heard the loudspeakers
You got the TV; your whole family did see me
[Big Shug]
Young ladies, fly ladies, young ladies in the house
[Kool Keith]
Cool Keith in the house with Shug and Guru
Primetime jazz and limousines gettin' to you
[Big Shug]
Young ladies, fly ladies, young ladies in the house
[Patra]
Okay, check dis, baby, way up top 'bove
[Guru]
Baby, you look good in that dress
Let's get out of here and take it back to my rest
I don't think I'm bein' too forward
Would I like to break out right now? Yeah, I sure would (ah-hah)
I dig the way you be lookin' at me
Dig your confidence; you want me, it's evident (trust me)
[Big Shug]
My man told me that you like me
You want to write me, 'cause you heard I have a wifey
But I'm on some mo' straight up stuff
I get witchu and probably spend a little while
Somewhere in the park after dark
Incognito; that's how I flow
[Kool Keith]
Well, I'm here for you
Are you there? Where?
Takin' peeks, and sneakin' winks; whatever brotherman thinks
You on a mission for famous people in position
Holdin' in your love, admirin' what I'm doin
Gettin' through in time and time
She follows us backstage, yeah
[Patra]
First day, guess what Guru said to me?
Dark and lovely, how could you be?
It is right for me
Because, whiny, whiny, me whiny sexy
All de man - dem just-a rush me
[Guru]
Check it out
The time is right; you hold me tight (my love)
In the twilight, away from the spotlight
We can explore mysteries that last all night (trust me)
Nobody has to know but us
Honey, you know I'm the man
Baby, for you I got big plans (eh, eh)
[Big Shug]
You say I'm just a lonely man (no more)
But tomorrow I'll be your king; the ruffneck swing
You know me from my name on the streets
You want to be with me; it's easy to see
Since you kissed me on the cheek
Now you want to be my everyday freak (hah hah!)
[Kool Keith]
Lookin' at me, my man and him, my man and him
Champagne pop; don't waste time; you can get with him (meow)
We got some drinks; you lookin' at the fine wine
Eye contact is on; all I see is sihlouette
Sheer plastic; freaky so fantastic (it's like dat)
I want to touch it, see if it's real
True at heart, I want to see how you really feel
Take off your mask and reveal...
[Patra]
Tell dem come wind
Only if you can make her feel fine
Y'know, because,
Eyes are watchin' me
Every single step I take
Eyes are watchin' me
They are countin' my mistake, jump!
Him up, and now dey flip the script 'pon cha chill
Steppin' to you like medicated thrills
Dey can not wait; come in from it his eyes
Anything not lay ya to smile ya analyze, Bo!
I was born in a ruff neighborhood
Steppin' up in light, now it feels good
No one is gonna stop me, no matta what dem say
An' if I'm da rockin', then I must DJ, 'cause
Eyes are watchin' me
Every single step I take
Eyes are watchin' me
They are countin' Guru mista-ake
Eyes are watchin' me
True me nice, and me love come wind
And me both love mashin'
Eyes are watchin' me
They love Queen Patra, 'cause I earn it an'
Guru and all-stars, ya large, in a dance
And the stars of reggae music, they large!
The original niceness
And Patra never the one to front, okay?
The lyrics to Guru's song "Young Ladies" feature verses from several artists, including Kool Keith, Big Shug, and Patra. The song is about courting and seducing women, with each verse describing a different approach to winning over the object of the artist's affection. Patra's verse, for example, talks about being a strong and confident woman who is pursued by men, while Guru's verse focuses on building a strong emotional connection with the woman he desires. The song has a jazzy and reggae-inspired vibe, with a prominent bassline and horns.
Overall, "Young Ladies" speaks to the different ways that men and women approach romance and courtship. While some of the verses are more explicitly sexual or aggressive, others focus on building an emotional connection or simply enjoying each other's company. The lyrics also emphasize the importance of physical attraction and chemistry, with many of the artists describing the physical attributes of the women they desire.
Line by Line Meaning
Young ladies, fly ladies, young ladies in the house
Addressing all the young and fly ladies present in the house
Yeah, this is Patra, the Queen of the Dancehall
Introducing the artist Patra and her title as the Queen of the Dancehall
Bad, bad by law, you no say you're da numba one
Confidently referring to oneself as the number one in a playful manner
Come on, take a ride with the lyrical five foot eight / And three-quarter warrior; I saw you pass me in the corridor / P.O.W. - the eye to eye contact was all that / I dug your little steelo; fine, you dug mine / You want my digits? I'm with it (take it) / You could ring me up whenever; whatever's clever (One time)
Expressing a desire to get to know a lady who caught the eye in passing and confidently offering digits and a willingness to connect
Stroll your way; you know you want me (Bo!) / So bring your game over here to the bar / You know you want to sit and hang with the star / Maybe get a new house, and a brand, new, car! (a-hah-hah) / But the price ain't right / 'Cause I ain't your size, baby, and I ain't your type
Encouraging a lady to come over and spend time with a star but asserting that price is an issue, as they are not a fit as per her preferences
Your honey's fly, but she wants me; I'm all that / She's perpetratin' like she never even heard the record / Or saw the video, or heard the loudspeakers / You got the TV; your whole family did see me / Cool Keith in the house with Shug and Guru / Primetime jazz and limousines gettin' to you / Okay, check dis, baby, way up top 'bove / Baby, you look good in that dress / Let's get out of here and take it back to my rest / I don't think I'm bein' too forward / Would I like to break out right now? Yeah, I sure would (ah-hah) / I dig the way you be lookin' at me / Dig your confidence; you want me, it's evident (trust me) / My man told me that you like me / You want to write me, 'cause you heard I have a wifey / But I'm on some mo' straight up stuff / I get witchu and probably spend a little while / Somewhere in the park after dark / Incognito; that's how I flow
Acknowledging a lady's attraction towards him and proposing an escape to a more private location after admiring her look in a dress, reassuring her that he is available and interested as well
Well, I'm here for you / Are you there? Where? / Takin' peeks, and sneakin' winks; whatever brotherman thinks / You on a mission for famous people in position / Holdin' in your love, admirin' what I'm doin / Gettin' through in time and time / She follows us backstage, yeah
Catering to a lady's needs, observing her behavior towards him and surmising that she may be following him backstage
First day, guess what Guru said to me? / Dark and lovely, how could you be? / It is right for me / Because, whiny, whiny, me whiny sexy / All de man - dem just-a rush me / Check it out
Recalling what Guru said about her on the first day and expressing how men rush towards her because she is 'whiny sexy'
The time is right; you hold me tight (my love) / In the twilight, away from the spotlight / We can explore mysteries that last all night (trust me) / Nobody has to know but us / Honey, you know I'm the man / Baby, for you I got big plans (eh, eh) / You say I'm just a lonely man (no more) / But tomorrow I'll be your king; the ruffneck swing / You know me from my name on the streets / You want to be with me; it's easy to see / Since you kissed me on the cheek / Now you want to be my everyday freak (hah hah!) / Lookin' at me, my man and him, my man and him / Champagne pop; don't waste time; you can get with him (meow) / We got some drinks; you lookin' at the fine wine / Eye contact is on; all I see is sihlouette / Sheer plastic; freaky so fantastic (it's like dat) / I want to touch it, see if it's real / True at heart, I want to see how you really feel / Take off your mask and reveal...
Indicating that it's the right moment to explore and spend some quality time together, asserting his manliness and 'royal' status to woo the lady, preparing to get up close and personal, taking off the masks and revealing true selves
Tell dem come wind / Only if you can make her feel fine / Y'know, because, / Eyes are watchin' me / Every single step I take / They are countin' my mistake, jump! / Him up, and now dey flip the script 'pon cha chill / Steppin' to you like medicated thrills / Dey can not wait; come in from it his eyes / Anything not lay ya to smile ya analyze, Bo! / I was born in a ruff neighborhood / Steppin' up in light, now it feels good / No one is gonna stop me, no matta what dem say / An' if I'm da rockin', then I must DJ, 'cause / They are countin' Guru mista-ake / True me nice, and me love come wind / And me both love mashin' / They love Queen Patra, 'cause I earn it an' / Guru and all-stars, ya large, in a dance / And the stars of reggae music, they large! / The original niceness / And Patra never the one to front, okay?
Encouraging someone to approach and pursue the lady only if capable of pleasing her and importantly stating that they believe in following their convictions and not letting their background hold them back, being confident and aware of their status, and asserting that they are authentic in every way
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KEITH ELAM, CARY GUY, DOROTHY PATRA SMITH, KEITH MATHEW THORNTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind