So far, it’s been a tragic year for hip hop. First Nujabes, and now Guru of Gang Starr.
The 43-year-old hip hop legend passed away on Monday after succumbing to a long battle with cancer. After his surgery last February, I was hoping that he’d hang on for a while longer. I remember my sigh of relief after learning that the rumors of his death two months ago (mostly via Twitter, go figure) were untrue.
Thinking back on those particular tweets (“RIP Guru”, Gang Starr videos, classic Guru lines), all of this seems pretty surreal. Today I saw those same 140 characters, only I didn’t have a verified source to tell me it was just Twitter gossip. “So he really did pass away?” Yeah, he did. CNN, MTV, and a million other mourning fans made that all too clear.
Now that Guru is gone, I can pay my final respects to one of the greatest voices in Hip Hop. One that, even in an ever-evolving culture, will never go unheard. “Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal,” your name lives on.
R.I.P. Keith Elam aka Guru (July 17, 1966 – April 19, 2010)
– Abet Speaks
Kids, never sell your souls for “Mass Appeal.”
abetspeaks.com 
What made Guru such an influential lyricist in my opinion wasn’t just his monotone style or his jazz influence; it was the fact that he demanded substance and originality if you claimed to be an emcee. His disregarded for the status quo in Hip Hop suggest that you come correct as an emcee. That passion for Hip Hop’s progression, skill and innovation will be missed. Hip Hop lost an artist that genuinely expressed himself with soul and used a mic to do so. Music in general suffers without artist like Guru. His music will remain an influence on me and Hip Hop. Rest in power above the clouds and Do What Ya Can Kids.
“…it was the fact that he demanded substance and originality if you claimed to be an emcee.” Word up. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Glad I’ve finally found seomtihng I agree with!
Abet, this was my ringtone for about a month. I was just listening to this a minute ago too. Nice choice!