Operation: Fuck Solar (again)

Sorry for beating a dead horse, but apparently it isn't dead yet. Our homie YN had a little something to add to our operation and until we see change I don't see why we would stop reporting on it.

Who are you and what have you done with Guru? Seriously, we go from the emotional rollercoaster ride of thinkin' we're gonna lose one of the game's greatest MCs to some sick pathetic soap opera involving a man of no blood or kin relation denying family members the right to see their loved one. Now yes Keith Elam may not wanna reconcile with folks he hasn't been on good terms with for the past seven years but that's his decision not yours. From the outside lookin' in, you seem really shady. And if Guru's nephew claim is true that you signed documents as Keith Elam's brother and your wife as his sister than that's just plain alarming. An abuse of power. Releasing statements to websites and official Twitter accounts in Guru's name when he doesn't appear to be able to speak on his own behalf is also misleading and completely wrong. Be clear: At this point the only thing relevant and important is the status of Guru's health. Nobody gives a fuck about you or 7 Grand. Guru's legacy is Gang Starr. DJ Premier and Guru made classics. You and Guru make crap. And you should get slapped for meddling in family business.

How many blogs, rappers, producers, fans or family members must it take to get a honest update without any Joe Jackson-like opportunist agendas thrown in the mix? --Philaflava

Update on Guru's health

GURU'S HEALTH STATUS IS STABLE, NOT IN COMA; ISSUES OFFICIAL STATEMENT

UPDATE: Guru is diagnosed by his doctors as ailing from Anoxia due to his history of lung problems and asthma. Guru is NOT in coma and he continues to recover. The doctors are hopeful for a full recovery. Thoughts and prayers have been with legendary Hip-Hop emcee Guru since his hospitalization earlier this month due to a heart attack. Solar, the rapper's longtime partner and best friend, said Guru has a history of lung problems and asthma and is slowly recovering. Guru, born Keith Elam, recently disclosed his first statement, assuring the public that he is recuperating, and that his producer Solar will stand as his representative during his recovery. "I am doing fine and I am recovering! I'm weak though," Guru said. "Solar is the only person who has the accurate info on my situation. Any info from anybody else is false. I appreciate your well wishes and all the love!" The producer expressed similar sentiments about the rapper's health status, saying: "Guru is resting and doing well. The doctors say that he will fully recover from his illness. We thank everyone who send prayers our way and we appreciate the outpouring of love from fans around the world!" There are a lot of rumors and false allegations circulating around, but Guru explicitly named Solar his official spokesperson and the hit producer is taking this position very seriously. "Guru has entrusted me to be accurate and truthful in relaying information to the media," Solar said. The producer is in constant contact with Guru's relatives like the MC's father and brother who have visited the legendary rapper numerous times. "When a patient is in such critical conditions it is very common that not everyone is allowed to enter the room, especially when Mr. Keith Elam doesn't want to see certain people," one of Guru's doctors said. Many Hip-Hop artists from around the world sent well wishes to Guru but some people from his past are trying to shed bad light on his partner Solar for his position in this situation. In a previous interview with AllHipHop.com, Guru made it clear that he and his former deejay and some people he used to work with were never that close. "People ask me about [...] all that. We were never all that close. We hooked up in the studio and did great music, but we were never hanging and all that cool. Solar and I, we got tight before we even started doing music." Guru, the sole founder of the world-famous Hip-Hop duo GangStarr, is reluctant to talk about his GangStarr past, especially his ex-DJ who he hasn't spoken to in over 7 years. "That's something I don't want to talk about. I don't want to talk about the past. The past is the past. It is what it is. It was great, but that was then and this is now." said Guru. Doctors have not given any indication as to when Guru might be released, but the rapper is touched by the fan support. "The outpouring of love from around the world has been tremendous," Solar said. "I'm reading some of the best e-mails, texts and Twitters that come in and Guru enjoys them. I think that's what has been helping his recovery and what's got him in there fighting." During what must be an incredibly hard and stressful period in life, keep sending your prayers, thoughts, and wishes to Guru, Solar and his loved ones. In homage to Guru and his outstanding career, his record label 7 Grand Records decided to upload all his classic music videos to the label's official YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/7grandrecords. WEBSITES www.myspace.com/guru7grand www.twitter.com/gurugangstarr www.youtube.com/7grandrecords www.myspace.com/gangstarr Audio File of Solar being Solar

Attn: Bumpy Knuckles - Please Destroy Solar

Okay this shit won't end. Apparently Guru ain't recovering like we had hoped. All the online statements have been bullshit. I don't know how ANYONE can watch these videos and read what has been posted by fellow bloggers, rappers and friends of Guru and still have the nerve to defend Solar. The man is Suge Knighting him and if this continues he'll end up just like Pac did.

I don't know what its going to take but holla at me @bumpyknuckles because I will gladly Paypal you some coin to remove this cancer that is eating away our homie Guru. Every day that passes is just another day of lies, manipulation and greed. Every fan, friend and supporter of the Gang Starr Foundation has to continue to spread the word and continue to pray for Guru. We cannot allow a no-talent hack like Solar do this much damage to a person, the foundation and more importantly the Elam family. He must be removed by any means necessary. Word is bond!





Related:

Solar kills Gang Starr
Exclusive interview with Guru and Solar

Solar (Yoko Ono) kills Gang Starr

Let's all call a spade a spade. No more sugar coating shit and no more politically correctness. Since Solar has been involved in Guru's career not only has Guru slipped into obscurity but now into a coma. Before you dare come to his defense once again check out the video below. Just read a few press releases he's (Solar) given over the past week.

I'm sure we'll get some emails from his publicist and a few trolls defending him in the comment section but everyone we've ever spoken to that has MEANT something to Hip-hop, some of the most respected rappers and producers today seem to share the same opinion--Solar ruined Guru. Now I don't know what bet Guru lost or how much he is in debt to Solar, but clearly Solar has an agenda and way more control over Guru, his music and health than any business partner (or person) ever should.

Nobody can say Guru has made better music with Solar. Nobody can say Guru has been a better person with Solar. Not one person, friend or family will say Guru has been a happier person with Solar.

I'm not out to assassinate Solar and or career, but without Guru not a single person would have even known or cared who he was. We're not talking about MC Solar from France here. I've spoken with some of the greatest industry figures today and they all say the same thing, Solar is an opportunist who has Guru under a spell. Publicists hate him. Fans of Gang Starr weep and now Guru's own family is ex-communicated. Enough is enough.

I pray Guru pulls through, but I also pray this puts an end to all the ridiculous beef between Mr. Elam and Mr. Martin. If one good thing comes out of this besides, it's that we'll we finally see what WE ALL want to, Gang Starr reuniting.

And before you get it twisted there has been NO other blog with the exception of Preems that has showed love and support to both Guru and DJ Premier.

Check out our interview with Guru and Solar from from last year.

Sincerely,

Every hip-hop fan in the world


(AllHipHop News) Revered rapper Guru released a statement to AllHipHop.com today (March 3) as he recovers from surgery after suffering a heart attack over the weekend.

Guru, born Keith Elam, was briefly comatose due to the heart attack. Doctors successfully operated on the 43-year-old MC on Tuesday (March 2).

"I am doing fine and I am recovering! I'm weak though,” Guru told AllHipHop.com in a statement today. “Solar is the only person who has the accurate info on my situation. Any info from anybody else is false! I appreciate your well wishes and all the love!"

Guru and his family are asking for privacy as he recovers and stressed for fans to continue to send prayers, thoughts and love.

His partner Solar echoed Guru’s comments about the need for privacy but told fans the outlook is positive for the rapper.

Additionally, only Solar will have access to Guru and accurate information regarding the status of his health.

"Guru is resting and doing well after his surgery,” Solar told AllHipHop.com. “The doctors say that he will fully recover from his illness. We thank everyone who send prayers our way and we appreciate the outpouring of love from around the world!”

Solar can be reached by contacting a representative for his publicity firm, Yo-Pr.com.

Random VLS Drops: Gang Starr - The ? Remainz

Fresh 320kbps vinyl rip

A1 Suckas Need Bodyguards (Clean)

A2 Suckas Need Bodyguards (Dirty)

A3 Suckas Need Bodyguards (Instrumental)

B1 The ? Remainz (Clean)

B2 The ? Remainz (Dirty)

B3 The ? Remainz (Instrumental)

[Download Full VLS Here] re-upped 4-15-10

Classic b-side winner. The dopest song from Hard To Earn, that wasn't on Hard To Earn.

What could be more fitting on a night like this?

Hope you pull through, Guru.

Peep the video in high quality.

Gang Starr - Suckas Need Bodyguards

Pics jacked from discogs, but the vinyl was ripped by me.

--verge

Guru in a coma?

If anyone has info about this please let us know. We're told his sister Tricia said he is currently in a coma after suffering from cardiac arrest. Our prayers go out to Keith Elam and his family. --Philaflava

Bobby Corridor “Substitution” (2009)

Here's a great new mix from Bobby Corridor using tracks that sampled "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss. Not sure about the video, but here's the original track.



OG Style- Catch ‘Em Slippin’
Great track from a great album, he even says “we’ve been waiting on this break for a long time”. Clever. I always hears “what about the doubters” as “what about the downloads”. Even before they invented them. Double clever.

De La Soul- Potholes in My Lawn
De La also use the drums in Stone Age and Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa (would have been seasonal) but here they use the piano yeah.

The Pharcyde- Ya Mama
Your mum.

Ghostface Killah- Mighty Healthy
Same break and some of the same lyrics as the next track.

Divine Force- Holy War
As interpolated by Ghostface (^this^). The best thing they did. Got this for 20p.

Ultramagnetic MCs- Ego Trippin’
The oldest track on this? Probably. One of the best? Yes.

Frankie Cutlass- Boriquas on the Set
Fat Joe and stuff.

Biz Markie- Cool V’s Tribute to Scratching
Biz is also on De La’s Substitution sampling Stone Age. SIX DEGREES OF KEVIN BACON. Big Daddy Kane’s Just Rhymin’ With Biz uses a bit of Substitution too. As does Looks Like a Job For.

Wu-Tang Clan- Clan in da Front
Rza and the Wu love this break. Because it’s good.

Gang Starr- Code of the Streets
Primo with the substitution break. Also using one of my favourite scratch sounds.

Naughty By Nature- OPP (inst)
As heard in the summer of whenever. Yeah, you know how I roll.

Tony D- Adam’s Nightmare
The beat that Naughty by Nature nicked. Another hip hop legend gone this year.

Public Enemy- Don’t Believe the Hype
Reminds me of a 6th form ice skating trip. Oh how we laughed. PE like the break too.

Gang Starr- Dwyck
Primo again. You know the one. The lemonade one.

Prince Rakeem- Deadly Venoms
Pre-Wu Rza. You disagree with me, fuck you mister.

Def Jef- Black to the Future
He’s Def and his name is Jef. He did some alright tracks.

Nice and Smooth- Skill Trade
Just the piano again. Just little bits though.

Supreme Nyborn- Versatile Extension
Let’s remix it. Booom

EMF- Rough Potential
Not that EMF but ^that^ EMF, Electro Motive Force. Incidentally I saw EMF (that EMF) supporting Boo Ya Tribe many years ago. Big boy riddims.

Schoolly D- Saturday Night
How the fluck did he get so cool. Could have also used Saturday Night Live by Masta Ace which uses large bits of the break, and has Premier on it. KEVIN BACON.

Choice MCs- This is the B-Side
Better than the A-side. Pianos and that.

Public Enemy- Brothers Gonna Work It Out (dub)
They did a track called The B-Side Wins again but this was an A-side. Weird. Could have included Miuzi Weighs a Ton too, if it would mix nice.

BTX- This Jam is Black
Super, a sprightly number from the great Select label.

DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince- Jazzy’s Groove
Final track and cut short before Grover Washington Jr comes in just in case it provoked a facebook group to try to post a mix of shouty rap metal instead.


Go HERE to download the mix. SendSpace link at the bottom.

enjoy,
--dirt_dog

Great Introductions

One of the greatest things about music is discovering new artists. Whether it's the case today, years ago hip-hop was always about helpin' others get on. There was a certain element in the music was more authentic. The chemistry was real and more importantly rappers were motivated by their competitive nature, not potential endorsements. There are tons of memorable debuts such as AZ on "Life's A Bitch," Jay-Z on "Hawaiian Sophie" or 2Pac on D.U.'s "Same Song." For some, careers were made on just one verse.

Below are 7 phenomenal debuts that some might argue contain the greatest ever. We're asking our T.R.O.Y. readers to let us know which debut you feel is the greatest of all-time. You can post your comments as well as vote on which debut from the videos below you feel is the best. --Philaflava

Ultramagnetic MC's - Raise It Up feat. Godfather Don


A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario (Remix) feat. Kid Hood & L.O.N.S.


Gang Starr - I'm The Man feat. Lil Dap & Jeru The Damaja


Organized Konfusion - Fudge Pudge feat. O.C.


Main Source - Live From The BBQ feat. Joe Fatal, Akinyele & Nasty Nas


Dr. Dre - Deep Cover (187) feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg


Lord Finesse - Yes You May (Remix) feat. Big L

Galt MacDermot - Samples

Galt MacDermot is easily one of my favorite soul-jazz pianists/organists of all time. After discovering "Duffer" on a breaks compilation about a decade back, I decided to snatch up whatever I could find. Fortunately, a good portion of his late 60s/early 70s albums and soundtracks had been repressed: "Woman Is Sweeter", "Shapes Of Rhythm", "Cotton Comes To Harlem", etc. Also, Galt released the amazing "Up From The Basement" compilations in early 2000, and both volumes were entirely composed of unreleased tracks, including an alternate version of "Duffer"!

Unfortunately, I had a difficult time tracking down his 1971 masterpiece "The Nucleus". The Chicago-based record store "Dusty Groove Records" was purchasing 'em from Galt's dead stock at a rate of ten per order, and I was always late on the draw. What made it worse is that Dusty Groove wouldn't let you reserve a copy in advance! I'd search ebay and see it going for upwards of $100 (most likely from sellers who purchased numerous copies from Dusty Groove). Eventually, I got fed up with the BS and decided to contact Galt himself. I was able to snatch up three copies of "The Nucleus" at $25 a piece, as well as two copies of his classic "Hair Cuts" LP from 1969 (instrumental renditions). I also purchased a gang of others, including "Ghetto Suite", "Isabel's A Jezebel", "Two Gentlemen Of Verona", "The Karl Marx Play", etc. Suffice to say, I was a very happy man.

Galt's late 60s/early 70s catalog remains largely untapped in terms of sampling potential. Here's a good portion of what's been utilized up to this point (although my cut-off period for all things hip hop related is right around 2001/2002, so you'll have to excuse me for not being familiar with artists that have sampled Galt in recent years).

Galt MacDermot - Samples
1. Galt MacDermot - Golden Apples Part II
2. K-Def - Galt Is Loose (Instrumental)
3. Jay Dee - Mash (Instrumental)
4. Galt MacDermot - Cathedral
5. MF Doom - Pennyroyal (Instrumental)
6. Galt MacDermot - Bedroom
7. Beatnuts - Uncivilized (Instrumental)
8. Galt MacDermot - Stockyard
9. Quasimoto - Return Of The Loop Digga
10. Galt MacDermot - Harlem Medley Pt. I
11. Quasimoto - Discipline 99
12. Galt MacDermot - Coffee Cold
13. J-Live - The Truth
14. Gangstarr - Werdz From The Ghetto Child (Instrumental)
15. Galt MacDermot - Space
16. Busta Rhymes - Woo-Hah (Instrumental
17. Busta Rhymes - Woo-Hah (Worldwide Remix Instrumental)
18. MF Doom - Cinquefoil (Instrumental)
19. Galt MacDermot - Ripped Open By Metal Explosions
20. Artifacts - C'Mon Wit Da Git Down
21. Galt MacDermot - Duffer
22. Galt MacDermot - If Our Love Is Real
http://www.mediafire.com/?kzn1zmemvom

Preview:

Galt MacDermot - Golden Apples Part II


Galt MacDermot - Cathedral


Galt MacDermot - Bedroom


Galt MacDermot - Stockyard


Galt MacDermot - Harlem Medley Pt. I


Galt MacDermot - Coffee Cold


Galt MacDermot - Space


Galt MacDermot - Ripped Open By Metal Explosions


Galt MacDermot - Duffer (Bonus Track)


Galt MacDermot - If Our Love Is Real (Bonus Track)


As a bonus, here is the amazing "Hair Cuts" LP that I purchased from Galt himself back in 2001. I remastered it with click repair.



Galt MacDermot - Hair Cuts (1969)
1. Aquarius
2. Sodomy
3. Donna-Hashish
4. Easy To Be Hard
5. Where Do I Go
6. Don't Put It Down
7. Hare Krishna
8. Good Morning Starshine
9. Let The Sunshine In
http://www.mediafire.com/?fmctmryysxm

Obviously, hit up google for out-of-print Galt records like "The Nucleus", etc. Also, make sure to purchase everything that has been repressed over the past decade. If you're a fan, then you owe it to the man. Hell, I've probably contributed at least $300 to his cause!

--Roy Johnson

Exclusive Interview with Guru (Gang Starr) and Solar

Exclusive Interview with Guru (Gang Starr) and Solar

As you can imagine I was ecstatic to interview Guru, who I feel is one of the the most prominent emcees of our time. He's was part of one of the most influential hip-hop groups ever.

Now I've done interviews with Ghostface Killah, AZ, Cormega, Kurupt and Ras Kass just to name a few, and never have I balked at asking a question. I do these interviews as a fan not a journalist.

Prior to the interview I was informed that Solar would be accompanying Guru on the interview. I had no problem with this, but I was not prepared being that I was under the impression it was just Guru. Not to mention the fact I knew very little about Solar and didn't have ample time to study his work and create some questions for him.

I was also informed that Guru requests no questions about Gang Starr or DJ Premier. Well, when I heard that I thought how am I going to do this interview without bringing up the past? Without a past there is no present. There is no Guru 8.0, there is no fans buying the album or attending their concerts. How could you have an interview with Guru and completely ignore the past?

Every Paul McCartney interview you hear John Lennon is always brought up. Every Scottie Pippen interview you hear Michael Jordan is brought up. You don't think C.L. Smooth gets asked about Pete Rock all the time? The shit goes with the territory and as an artist you have to understand that. We're not talking about an intimate relationship about an ex-wife, this is about a very public and professional relationship that was in our faces, in our tape decks, in our magazines and on our radios for 20+ years. You cannot dismiss that.

Now I understand both their positions about wanting to move forward, but as fans and long time supporters we should be entitled to know what happened, right? How come Guru won't work with DJ Premier? How come there is no more Gang Starr Foundation? What happened to his childhood friend Big Shug who he no longer friendly with? Why has Guru chosen to work exclusively with Solar?

These are very legitimate questions with absolutely no maliciousness behind them. This isn't about hating on their future. This isn't about not supporting Guru and Solar, this is about how did we get to where we are today? Prior to doing this interview I read a few recent Guru and Solar interviews and even saw a clip and it was no secret that when the mention of Gang Starr or Premier happens the interview takes a sharp turn. I didn't want any knee-jerk reactions and I definitely didn't want to agitate either of them, but still I wanted to get my questions in somehow because I felt we deserved some answers.

As loyal and longtime fans, we are the shareholders or their stock. Without us there is no Gang Starr, no Guru, no Solar. That's not to say we are owed an answer to everything but when it becomes public you can't expect the very people who run out the Tuesday to cop your album to simply forget past. My biggest concern with this interview was making it an informative an informative one. I may have failed or succeeded in some eyes but I gave it my best and now you can make the call yourself. Apologizes in advance as you can imagine how hard it is to conduct an interview over the phone, much less with two people answering at will.

Philaflava Interview w/Guru & Solar - Part 1


Philaflava Interview w/Guru & Solar - Part 2



Click here to download the new REMASTERED FULL INTERVIEW (40 minutes)

All in good fun...

Check out the interview in its entirety and make sure you leave your comments and question for both for both Guru and Solar.

And if you've been living under a rock, you missed one of the the most in-depth Gang Starr celebrations ever on the blogosphere. Catch up here - Gang Starr month from April.

Check out Guru & Solar at www.guru7grand.net

Peace,

Jason Gloss
philaflava@philaflava.com

Gang Starr Month: The Readers Respond

Editor's Note: Earlier this month we posed the question "where were you when you first heard a Gang Starr song?" We got a pretty decent flood of responses from around the globe, with readers naming various media outlets (from music video TV shows to to radio to video games) as their introduction to the duo's music. The songs that were mentioned span the entirety of Gang Starr's career, (even the days prior to their first record deal) and it appears that people from a wide range of ages count themselves as fans. All in all, this was a fun interactive piece, and the final product testifies to the group's enduring legacy and undeniable impact. Enjoy.

Video Shows

At RJ's crib, watching the video (Positivity) on Rap City. - Boothe

Rap City (muchmusic canada), saw Just To Get A Rep video. - Anonymous

On some alternative video show that had NitzerEbb, Front 242 and them BLAM Gangstarr with Manifest.. - Cenzi Stiles

5th grade. Living Room. Rap City. Mass Appeal. Epic. - Joshuawun

Just to get a rep, 13-14 years old, video on Yo MTV Raps, jaw dropped. - PAS

1989. I was hanging out at my friend's house watching videos on 'The Box' when the Manifest video came on. The song was so good that instead of going out to play football, we waited an hour until someone else requested it so that we could see it again. From that day on, I went to the record store faithfully twice a week just to buy that cassette as soon as it dropped. I think I still have it somewhere in a box. - Vincent Lopez

Watching TV at my Grandma's house and Manifest came on Pump It Up. - Ominous Red

The song that got me was 'Just To Get A Rep'. I was about 14 and living with my Moms at the time. I got home from school and would watch Ralph McDaniel's Video Music Box religiously. That day that 'Just To Get A Rep' got played, I went bananas. That was the most incredible sample I had ever heard. - Verge

Came home from high school back in 8th or 9th grade, and it was old skool wednesday on Rap City. They played the Mass Appeal video, and i was hooked right after that. that beat is very infectious. i remembered the lyrics to the song about 3-4 time i heard it! this was around late '96 early '97. - Brandan E.

Words That I manifest, 1989, I saw this on videotape because my g-parents refused to get cable, so my uncle's friend used to record Yo! MTV Raps for us. - Andrew Fly

I think I saw "DWYCK" on MTV in '94 – Anonymous

At my godfather's house b/c his daughter used to watch my brother and I after school. His daughter was watching The Box and I think it was Mass Appeal that came on... rediscovered many years later at a smoke and chill party w/ my friends in N. Philly – livininphilly

Rochester, NY. Circa 1989-90. Rap City with Da Mayor..."Manifest" video and the whole Malcolm X motif...classic HIPHOP, dubbed the whole tape from my man when it came out. PEACE – Anonymous

Probably the Just to Get a Rep video on Video Music Box. Shout out to Uncle Ralph! – Adam Rashid

I was watching and taping Yo Mtv Raps! when I heard ' who's gonna take the weight' I was hypnotised by the screeching horns. I recorded it to cassette with a homemade cable from my television to my tapedeck so I could listen to it on my walkman. I also remember renting the step in the arena-cd at the local moviestore. – Pierski76

I was like 9 or 10 watching Rap City at the Crib on Camac st. in Logan and Words I Manifest video came on and I've been a fan since – Phil Wilson

I watched video shows (Video Music Box, Rap City, Yo!) after school every day; and they started playing "Manifest," which I loved. - Werner Von Wallenrod

Watching Video Music Box @ home summer vacation and "Words I Manifest" came on.. Great times - brooklynsidv

Radio

That would be 1987 ... WRBB radio. – Dart Adams

i was in high school when i first heard words i manifest a buddy taped the song off of whpk here in chicago - Anonymous

Used to hear "Here Is The Proof" all the time on KZSU, didnt know it was the G to the A-N-G, so technically the first time I heard a song and knew it was them was when I saw the "Words I Manifest" video on a Saturday morning episode of Yo! Raps. – bottomlesspedro

I think the first time I heard of Gang Starr was on P-Fine's show way down in the 80s side of the dial (can't even remember the station anymore but best believe I still got the tapes to prove it!) and the song was the original mix of Manifest! that joint was crazy! – rhartworks

I was a DJ at radio station KZSC in Santa Cruz CA in '89 when the Words I Manifest 12" arrived. A big moment. - nachmann

Other

I heard "Above the Clouds" at my local megamart. I scanned "Moment of Truth" into the machine, crossed my fingers that the system wouldn't recognize the explicit lyrics sticker and deny this 14 year-old entry, and skipped to the song with Inspectah Deck." - Tom Doggett

I had finished my 3rd symester of community college and was at a party. I had taken the prom queen from the graduating class that year to a party. We ended up hooking up at this house party and ended up pushing in my regaurds in the master bedroom of the house. After all was said and done, my friend mentioned earlier put the cd 'moment of truth' in and skipped to 'jfk 2 lax'. I could hear it through the bedroom walls got up and went out to grab a beer only to forget i left homegirl in the bedroom and never came back. - randomkage

Honestly.. I dont know for sure. Gang Starr is honestly an act that crept into my pores and become as synonomous to me as hip-hop itself at some point. - restless _43

Well, I won't get much cred for this one, but the first GangStarr song I really paid attention to was "Right Where You Stand." I was about 12 when it came out and just getting into good rap music. - Anonymous

I heard Gang Starr for the first time playing streetball with some friends, one of whom brought the boombox and CD. The song was Above The Clouds, and I got instantly hooked by Gurus and Decks verses and this irresistible beat so much that it distracted me from the game. - Anonymous

I was working as a public defender in the South Bronx the birthplace of hip hop!! - Matt

Seventh grade, while playing "Thrasher: Skate & Destroy" on my PlayStation. That game had the dopest soundtrack of any I've ever played; that's the first I also heard Tribe, EPMD, Ultramag, Bam, etc...but "Just To Get A Rep" was the song that really resonated with me. - Echo Leader

Um, I was probably in my dorm room at Duke freshman year, downloading whatever crap on Kazaa RapReviews.com said was classic. - tray

i heard about gang starr in a video game i used to play as a kid haha.i believe it was dave mirra pro bmx. i dont rememeber if the cut was mass appeal or moment of truth. it was like 98 or 99. either way i was hooked.... still am - BYL

"Manifest" off a friends single when it came out...I was hooked on that freaking loop...have rarely complained about a Primo beat and I actually salivate when I hear a new one...best hip hop producer period. – DJ Seen?

I was in my friends basement stacked with hip hop cassettes. He had just picked up Daily Operation a couple days before and put it in his tape player. – tk burton

Just before they got signed...I used to chill with most of them...lil dap (group home), jeru tha damaja...those were the days.... Urban Jibaro

DJ 3rd Rail - Gang Starr Megamix

DJ 3rd Rail is one of the dopest hip hop DJs to ever come out of Chicago. In the late 90s, he released a classic Gang Starr Foundation mixtape. Here is the tape rip. Make sure to check out the audio samples!

Side A
1. Alongwaytogo
2. Lovesick
3. To Be A Champion
4. Positivity
5. Suckas Need Bodyguards
6. 2 Deep
7. Mass Appeal
8. Credit Is Due
9. Step In The Arena
10. I'm The Man

Side B
1. Speak Ya Clout
2. You Know My Steez
3. Up Against The Wall
4. Da Bitchez
5. Total Wreck
6. Take It Personal
7. Dwyck
8. Paper Thin
9. Doe In Advance
10. So Wassup
11. Not Your Average

Preview:

Side A


Side B


Download both sides in one mediafire folder:
http://www.mediafire.com/?yylz1gdy30x

--Roy Johnson

Guru “Jazzmatazz Live! (2001)”

Have you ever been digging through a box of cd's only to find something better than what you were originally searching for? Clearly, that happened to me over the weekend when I found this one. Here is Guru's Jazzmatazz Live! at Radiomafia, Belford, France on September 27th, 2001. He's on tour promoting his Jazzmatazz Streetsoul (volume 3) album. I think this was recorded from the radio as there is a French introduction, but an absolutely perfect listening experience.

Download

enjoy,

-- dirt_dog

Gang Starr “Transmusicales, Rennes, France (2003)”

Here's one just for fun. It's Gang Starr on their Ownerz Tour making a stop at the Transmusicales Festival in 2003 (tagged as 12-05-2003). I have a feeling that this 24 minute performance was recorded straight from the radio as there are a few small voiceovers, but doesn't interfere and the quality is superb (although there is some slight static noise at the beginning of track 9). Here's a link to some really nice pictures from the set. And I threw together a quick cover for those (like me) that have to have an image when listening to any audio on their iPod.

Download

enjoy,

-- dirt_dog

Gang Starr - Non-Album Tracks Volume 7

Here is the final installment of the Gang Starr Non-Album Tracks Series. What we have here is a phenomenal soundboard recording from a '98 show that they did in Amsterdam. As far as I know, Gang Starr doesn't have any other live bootlegs in circulation, which is a god damn shame. Grateful Dead got like 20,000 of 'em, but we only get one from a legendary hip hop act like Gang Starr? What a crock of shit, huh? Anyway, enjoy the concert, and make sure to check for all of the previous volumes.

Gang Starr - Non-Album Tracks Volume 7
1. DJ Premier In Deep Concentration
2. Manifest
3. No More Mr. Nice Guy
4. Code Of The Streets
5. Code Of The Streets (Continued)
6. Work
7. Royalty
8. Above The Clouds
9. The Militia
10. Crush
11. F.A.L.A.
12. Just To Get A Rep
13. Take It Personal
14. Dwyck
http://www.mediafire.com/?fzfqoddf1jm

Preview:

DJ Premier In Deep Concentration


Manifest


No More Mr. Nice Guy


--Roy Johnson

Gang Starr - Non-Album Tracks Volume 6

Here is installment #6 of the Gang Starr Non-Album Tracks Series. I wanted to save all of the oddities and live material for last. Stay tuned for Volume 7, which is an outstanding soundboard from a '98 concert in Amsterdam.

Gang Starr - Non-Album Tracks Volume 6
1. Red Alert Chant
2. Dwyck (Spinbad Blend)
3. Code Of The Streets (Thunderstorm Mix)
4. Mass Appeal (Thunderstorm Mix)
5. Manifest (Jazzy Jeff Mix)
6. You Know My Steez (Spinbad Mix)
7. Dwyck (Jay Dee Blend)
8. Dwyck (Yo! MTV Raps)
9. Dwyck (In Living Color)
10. Reality Check (Skit)
11. Tony Touch Freestyle
12. Doo Wop Freestyle
13. Funkmaster Flex Freestyle
14. Mass Appeal (Arsenio Hall Show)
15. Ex Girl To The Next Girl (Uptown Comedy Club)
16. Slammin' Magazine Interview
17. Just To Get A Rep (Madlib Remix)
18. Full Clip (Live)
http://www.mediafire.com/?lvmwrt0y4yd

Preview:

Dwyck (Spinbad Blend)


Code Of The Streets (Thunderstorm Mix)


Mass Appeal (Thunderstorm Mix)


You Know My Steez (Spinbad Mix)


Tony Touch Freestyle


--Roy Johnson

Gang Starr - Non-Album Tracks Volume 5

Here is installment #5 of the Gang Starr Non-Album Tracks Series. This volume contains Guru guest appearances from between the years of 1995 and 2000. Stay tuned for volumes 6 & 7.

Gang Starr - Non-Album Tracks Volume 5
1. House Of Pain - Fed Up (Remix)
2. Ini Kamoze - Who Goes There
3. Buckshot Lefonque - Black Monday
4. EZD - For Da Love
5. M.O.P. - Salute II
6. N'Dea Davenport - Bring It On (Remix)
7. Afu Ra - Trilogy Of Terror
8. Everlast - Guru
9. Group Home - The Legacy
10. Group Home - Be Like That
11. AG - Weed Scented
12. Choclair - Bear Witness
13. D.B.D. - Unknown Song
14. Masta Ace - Conflict
15. Masta Ace - Conflict (Remix)
16. Masta Ace - Conflict (Illmind Remix)
17. D-Flame - Universal
18. D-Flame - Universal (Remix)
http://www.mediafire.com/?towezk4mro4

Preview:

House Of Pain - Fed Up (Remix)


EZD - For Da Love


Buckshot Lefonque - Black Monday


--Roy Johnson

Gang Starr - Non-Album Tracks Volume 4

Here is installment #4. This volume contains Guru guest appearances from between the years of 1991 and 1995.

Gang Starr - Non-Album Tracks Volume 4
1. Nice N Smooth - Down The Line
2. Slam Slam - Free Your Feelings (Remix)
3. Dream Warriors - I Lost My Ignorance (Premier Remix)
4. Dream Warriors - I Lost My Ignorance (Tim Bran Remix)
5. Heavy D & The Boyz - Buncha Niggas
6. Brand New Heavies - It's Gettin' Hectic
7. Neneh Cherry - Sassy
8. Cutthroats - Stop Lookin' At Me
9. De La Soul - Patti Dooke
10. Nefertiti - No Nonsense
11. Digable Planets - Borough Check
12. Donald Byrd - Time Is Moving On
13. DJ Krush - B-Boy Mastermind
14. DJ Krush - Most Wanted Man
15. DJ Honda - What You Expected (Original)
16. DJ Honda - What You Expected
17. Group Home - Serious Rap Shit
http://www.mediafire.com/?wnnmdydmzwd

Preview:

Dream Warriors - I Lost My Ignorance (Premier Remix)


DJ Krush - B-Boy Mastermind


DJ Honda - What You Expected (Original)


DJ Honda - What You Expected


Group Home - Serious Rap Shit


--Roy Johnson

Gang Starr - The VHS Video Collection

After recently hitting readers up with Gang Starr's DVD Video Collection, the T.RO.Y. Blog is proud to present you, with the quickness, the rare missing Gang Starr Videos from the original DVD Collection post. Friendly reader The Big Sleep(Big L Rarities/Affliates Blog) & T.R.O.Y. forum's Icon(His First Post) were kind enough to bring us hi-quality VHS rips from the remaining missing videos(except one) in a really short time(Only Few Hours After The Post)! The only video that remains missing in hi-quality is "Gotta Get Over". You can find it on youtube but the video is not in sync and in really bad quality... Again, if you have it feel free to send us a comment.

Enjoy,

Videos
Words I Manifest (1989)

Positivity (1989)

Jazz Thing (1990)

Who's Gonna Take The Weight (1990)

Love Sick(1991)

Take A Rest (1991)

Gotta Get Over (1992) - Unavailable

Suckas Need Bodyguard (1994)

Previews







































-- Thomas V

Note: If you have some problems watching the videos, it might be because of codec problems. Visit Free-Codecs.com for more information. You can also try using a new media player like Media Player Classic or VLC.

Gang Starr - Non-Album Tracks Volume 3

Here is installment #3 of the Gang Starr Non-Album Tracks Series. With the exception of "Doe In Advance", all of these tracks were recorded in between the years of 1997 and 2000.

Gang Starr - Non-Album Tracks Volume 3
1. Doe In Advance (Original)
2. Doe In Advance
3. I'm Not Superman
4. So Wassup
5. You Know My Steez (Dobie Remix)
6. You Know My Steez (T.M.A.A.L. Remix)
7. You Know My Steez (K. Gee Street Remix)
8. The Piece Maker w/ Tony Touch
9. Tongue Of Terror
10. All 4 Tha Ca$h
11. Full Clip
12. Full Clip Remix w/ Sticky Fingaz
13. 1/2 & 1/2 w. M.O.P.
14. The Militia w/ Freddie Foxx & Big Shug (Pete Rock Remix)
15. The Militia w/ Rakim & W.C. (Remix)
16. Discipline w/ Total
17. Soul
18. Play That Beat '99
19. Brooklyn Trooper (J-Love Mixtape Version)
http://www.mediafire.com/?myym0y2nizj

Preview:

Doe In Advance (Original)


I'm Not Superman


So Wassup


You Know My Steez (Dobie Remix)


All 4 Tha Ca$h


--Roy Johnson