Gang Starr
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| Gang Starr | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Genre(s) | Hip hop |
| Years active | 1987 - Present |
| Label(s) | Wild Pitch Chrysalis Noo Trybe Records Virgin |
| Associated acts | Gang Starr Foundation |
| Members | |
| Guru DJ Premier |
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- Gangstar redirects here. For the video game, see Gangstar: Crime City.
Gang Starr is an influential East Coast rap group that consists of Guru and DJ Premier. The group is known mainly for their unique style, which combines elements of New York swing jazz and hip hop. Despite the fact that neither member is from New York City, many consider[who?] Gang Starr a pillar in the New York hip hop community.
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[edit] Background
The group was founded in 1986 by Guru (then known as Keithy E. The Guru), DJ 1,2 B Down, Mike Dee and various producers, such as Donald D, J.V. Johnson or DJ Mark the 45 King helping out. In 1987 and 1988, Gang Starr released three 12" vinyl singles on the legendary Wild Pitch label.
In 1989, the group split and the only member willing to continue under the name Gang Starr was Guru. He soon got in touch with DJ Premier (then known as Waxmaster C) who sent him a beat tape which Guru apparently liked. He invited DJ Premier to join the newly founded group and in the same year they released their first single "Words I Manifest". With that line up, Gang Starr went on working together for six albums, a 2CD "greatest hits" compilation and numerous singles and soundtrack contributions. Another compilation was released after the group's departure from Virgin.
During their career Gang Starr helped pioneer the New York City hip hop sound. The entirety of Gang Starr's catalog, especially Step in the Arena (1991), Daily Operation (1992) and Moment of Truth (1998) are well-respected among critics and hip hop heads alike. Their track "Jazz Thing", featured on the soundtrack to Spike Lee's film Mo' Better Blues, helped establish the sound of jazz rap.
[edit] Gang Starr Foundation
Both members of Gang Starr have deep roots in the New York hip hop scene, despite hailing from Boston, Massachusetts (Guru) and Houston, Texas [Originally From New York] (DJ Premier), and have each worked with countless artists.
The Gang Starr Foundation was a loose collective comprised of various members that have worked closely with the group, through either Guru's now defunct Ill Kid label, DJ Premier's production work or the management company that Gang Starr was represented by, Empire Management. The founding member was Vikar.
[edit] Current status
The group's current status is unknown. It is unconfirmed whether it still exists or if it has broken up. Instead of issuing a press release, both members have made often contrary statements on their own in various print, radio, TV and online magazine interviews.
On September 1, 2005, Guru has revealed in an interview with the hip hop online magazine sohh.com that the group doesn't exist anymore, but that it has ended instead of breaking up. [1]This has finally cleared up the rumors that came up first on the European Gang Starr tour in 2003/2004 when DJ Premier suddenly went back to the US and Guru continued touring under the group's name with another DJ. However, in an December 21, 2005 interview [2] with the online magazine allhiphop.com, DJ Premier has denied that Gang Starr is history; he said it's rather a long break than a real break up. In a more recent interview [3] from April 20, 2006, with the online magazine hoodstars.net, Guru has stated he would not work with his previous partners anymore. In a newer interview [4] he stated that Gang Starr has reached the peak and that he is out of the project. To add even more to the confusion, DJ Premier said in a November 21st, 2006 interview with the XXL Online Magazine "If I confirm it, then it’s official. If I don’t confirm it, then we still together." On September 21, 2007, he also told Red Bull Music Academy; "If Guru wants to do it I’m down, it’s really up to him. He’s the one that said we should pause for a minute and if that’s how he feels fine by me. If he calls me tomorrow and says I’m ready to start, I’m ready."[5]
[edit] Discography
- No More Mr. Nice Guy
- Released: 1989
- Billboard 200 chart position: -
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: 83
- U.S. Sales: 53,000[6]
- Singles: "Words I Manifest"/"DJ Premier In Deep Concentration"/"Here's The Proof", "Positivity"/"No More Mr. Nice Guy (Remix)"
- Step in the Arena
- Released: January 15, 1991
- Billboard 200 chart position: 121
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: 19
- U.S. Sales: 287,000[7]
- Singles: "Just To Get A Rep"/"Who's Gonna Take The Weight?", "Love Sick"/"What You Want This Time?"/"Credit Is Due", "Step In The Arena"/"Check The Technique (Remix)"/"Credit Is Due"
- Mass Appeal: Best of Gang Starr
- Released: December 26, 2006
- Billboard 200 chart position:
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position:
- Singles:
[edit] Trivia
Many of Gang Starr's most famous songs have been featured on several games. The first was "Just To Get A Rep" on Thrasher: Skate and Destroy, "Mass Appeal" on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, "Moment of Truth" on Dave Mirra's Freestyle BMX 2, "B.Y.S" on Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, "Now You're Mine" on Skate, and the most recent "Who's Gonna Take The Weight" on Grand Theft Auto: IV
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Guru Version 7.0 | Featurette | SOHH.com /
- ^ http://www.allhiphop.com/features/?ID=1275
- ^ Website Unavailable - UltraWebsiteHosting.com
- ^ http://www.allhiphop.com/features/?ID=1426
- ^ XXLmag.com | Hip-Hop On A Higher Level | » DJ Premier Remedy
- ^ UKMIX - Forums - View topic - SoundScan Era - USA's Best Selling Artists and Albums
- ^ UKMIX - Forums - View topic - SoundScan Era - USA's Best Selling Artists and Albums
- ^ UKMIX - Forums - View topic - SoundScan Era - USA's Best Selling Artists and Albums
- ^ UKMIX - Forums - View topic - SoundScan Era - USA's Best Selling Artists and Albums
- ^ UKMIX - Forums - View topic - SoundScan Era - USA's Best Selling Artists and Albums
[edit] External links
- Year Round Records DJ Premier's label site
- Guru - Who he's worked with + discography
- DJ Premier - Who he's worked with + discography
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