Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Gangstarr does work



Gang Starr
Hip Hop at its finest and then some



                This article both pays homage to and honors one of the greatest hip hip groups in music, Gang Starr. The group Gang Starr was started in 1985 by Keith Elam (aka Guru) and  DJ 1, 2 B-Down with various producers working with them. Guru (which stands for Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal) and the group relesed three 12” vinly records in the years of 1987-88. However, in 1989 the group would have an unfortunate split up leaving Guru as the only remaining member of Gang Starr. Guru would soon have a little change of luck as Christopher Martin (aka DJ Premier) sent him a beat tape and Guru was diggin the beat. DJ Premier who is considered one of the most amazing hip hop producers ever is known for his scratches and well orchestrated samples. Guru and DJ Premier would soon revive the group Gang Starr and release there first single “Words I manifest”. Gang Starr also released there debut album “No More Mr. Nice Guy” which included many noteworthy tracks like “Manifest”, “Positivity”, “Gotch U” and “Jazz Music”. Guru delivered incredible lyricsm followed through by DJ Premiers excellent scratches and samples.

            The second studio album from Gang Starr “Step In the Arena” included many notewrthy tracks including "Who's Gonna Take the Weight", “Just to Get a Rep” and “Step in the Arena”. Following that was Gang Starr’s third studio album “Daily Operation” which includes many great tracks like  "2 Deep", "Take Two and Pass”, "Take it Personal” and "Ex Girl to the Next Girl”. The fourth Studio album to come out “Hard to Earn” included lyrically and sonically amazing tracks like "Mass Appeal", "DWYCK" and  "Code of the Streets". To follow up all of those amazing albums would come the fan favorite and fifth studio album “Moment of Truth”. Moment of Truth by far is a masterpiece and includes a plethora of phenomenal tracks including "You Know My Steez",  and the self titled track “Moment of Truth”. I remember bumping tunes like Work and Moment of Truth and just vibing with them and relating with the tracks. The sixth and final studio album “The Ownerz” included hit tracks like "Skills", "Rite Where U Stand", "Nice Girl, Wrong Place" and "Same Team, No Games".

            DJ Premier and Guru eventually went separate ways after the sixth studio album. Guru went on to release many solo albums including the “Jazzmatazz” series. Guru would also take up a bit of acting as he had many cameos in Movies as well as did voice overs including some for the popular video game series “Grand Theft Auto”. DJ Premier would go on to continue to produce beats for many artist including Nas, Xzibit and Common etc.  A compilation album titled “Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr” included many of the hits from the previous albums as well as three new tracks including the self titled track "Full Clip", "Discipline" and "All 4 tha Ca$h". There were many other Gang Starr tracks appearing on soundtracks including the track “Battle” which appeared on the soundtrack for the movie “8 mile”. Many fans wanted to see a Gang Starr reunion sadly this would never be as we lost another hip hop legend. Keith “Guru” Elam died April 19, 2010 at the age of 48  from cancer. This sent the nation as well as the community of hip hop heads in a state of shock as we lost another hip hop legend. Guru will always be remembered as one of the greatest emcees to touch the game. DJ Premier produced a tribute mix in honor of Guru and many people post videos of Gang Starr on there Facebook’s and Twitter’s in honor of the late Guru and his music will always get rotation from the hip hop community. Take a second to check out one of the greatest hip hop groups ever if you haven’t yet and soak in the influence, the movement and the culture that Gang Starr presented to the music world.

You must sit back, take time and respect what real hip hop is. If you have never heard of Gangstarr take time out of your day and put on a track you will see why a lot of artists  and hip hop heads nationwide have shown love. it’s not only because of their music it’s also because of  their demeanor and passion to show relevance in the streets and what it takes to get out , whether it be working at a factory or being a basketball star be the best at what every you do,. Their message was very clear they enjoyed making music and they  got people to hear it.  like I say if you don’t know who Gangstarr is  and you’re a rapper you should just put the Mic down lol because Without knowledge you have no power and without power you have not accomplished anything. But on another Note another favorite song of mine   is called Work here is a verse check it out!


Here is the Link for the song Work 


  
What kind of work do you do?
Uhh...
("Boy what is it you want to do when you grow up?)
Aiyyo I'm gonna be on ti dop that's all my eyes can see
Victory is mine yeah surprisingly
I've been laying waiting for your next mistake
I put in work and watch my status escalate
Now I'ma start collecting props connection plots
networkin like a conference cause the nonsense is yet to stop
 Jakes shake me down, haters wanna take me down
Break me down, CLAP all they heard was the sound
Yo I scoped it out, I took your weak dream and choked it out
Your bitch don't really got no ass, she just poked it out
on the deelow, I'm sayin, you versus me though?
We can do this shit right here, in front of your people
See time is money kid, and BS walks
And to me, it's funny kid when you meet heads talk
I see Feds stalk, they wanna dig up the dirt
Son is it me they hawk, cause I be puttin in work Son?
Aiyyo I'm gonna be on ti-dop, that's all my eyes can see
Victory is mine, yeah surprisingly
I've been laying, waiting for your next mistake
I put in work, and watch my status escalate
You cornballs get stonewalled, blackballed I own y'all
The veteran, runnin my plan I'm the better man
Crazy raw, doin my job like the mob
Blazin y'all, and disappear in in the fog
or a mist, and chicks can't resist what I kick
They be beggin for attention or some more of the dillznick
Word up baby, someone may have to get hurt up baby
Shit is mad shady, but I got to get the gravy
Platinum respect like the force of a tech
keep you hittin the deck, feelin heat in your chest
Bangin your thoughts with the hot onslaught
A kid got shot on the spot for goin where he should not
Viciously, I make history, instantly
Those other lame ass loser ass niggaz, they can't fuck with me
I'm doin my thing now, to lamp later on
Paid in the shade, with some fly gators on
But now I'm grimy as they get, mud on my pants and shirt
I bet you niggaz out here know, I be puttin in work
Aiyyo I'm gonna be on ti-dop, that's all my eyes can see
Victory is mine, yeah surprisingly
I've been laying, waiting for your next mistake
I put in work, and watch my status escalate
Hip hop is a movement Not a Trend !

A Good interview check it out 



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