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Gang Starr

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Brooklyn NY, United States (1987 – present)

Gang Starr is an influential American hip-hop duo, composed of rapper Guru (Backronym for Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal, real name Keith Elam) and DJ Premier (real name Chris Martin). Premier originally from Houston and Guru from Boston, but they are now based in and represent Brooklyn, New York, epitomizing the New York City hip-hop sound. The entirety of Gang Starr’s catalog, especially Step In The Arena (1991) ,Daily Operation (1992), and the uber classic Hard To Earn (1994) are well-respected among critics and hip-hop heads alike. Though these titles helped establish the duo as one of New Yorks foremost hip hop acts during the early to mid 90’s it was their 1998 album Moment of Truth that would prove to be their most influential record to date. Despite their legendary status, this was also their only album to sell gold.

Their track “Jazz Thang”, featured on the soundtrack to Spike Lee’s film Mo’ Better Blues, helped establish the sound of jazz rap, although they themselves consider their sound solely straight hardcore hip hop.

The group was founded in 1987 with Guru, DJ 1,2 B Down, Mike Dee and various producers, such as Donald D, J.V. Johnson or DJ Mark The 45 King. In 1987 and 1988 they released three 12” vinyl singles on the legendary Wild Pitch label, and in 1989 Guru and DJ Premier (then working under the name Waxmaster C) met for the first time. In the same year they released their first single “Words I Manifest” and went on working together as a group for six albums, a 2 CD “greatest hits” compilation and numerous singles and soundtrack contributions.

Tagged as:

hip-hop, rap, hip hop, underground hip-hop, new york
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1	Work full track	864
2	Mass Appeal full track	753
3	You Know My Steez full track	737
4	Moment of Truth full track	658
5	Full Clip full track	603
6	Just to Get a Rep full track	523
7	Code of the Streets full track	502
8	Step in the Arena full track	390
9	Take It Personal full track	340
10	Ex Girl to Next Girl	324
11	JFK 2 LAX full track	322
12	Above The Clouds	285
13	Skills full track	263
14	Now You're Mine full track	257
15	Soliloquy of Chaos full track	252

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nesti_iszam wrote:
yesterday afternoon

fuck me... im too high and write bullshits... gang starr best duo of course, but no best group %-)

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nesti_iszam wrote:
yesterday afternoon

yep G.N.G. aka Gang Starr is best , perhaps too three 6 ,mobb deep, wu tang or Cunninlynguists... don't know.. Preem + Guru were fucking awesome duo and I honestly miss them

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ShrapGhost wrote:
Wednesday morning

love mass appeal.

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coffeeandpigs wrote:
Tuesday afternoon

I've been a massive fan of Moment Of Truth and Hard To Earn for years now. I've only just listened to Step Into The Arena, but my god, thats some smooth jazz-hop.

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dgk3188 wrote:
Monday morning

I SELF LORD AND MASTER

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Flesh-n-Bone wrote:
Sunday morning

Gang Starr, the best duo ever!

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Igorkote wrote:
last week

favourite group! охуеннО!

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thetevinguy wrote:
last week

Between gang starr and black star, they are the best duos i can think of in hip-hop history.

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degalife wrote:
last week

Primo beats are kind an ID of NY style.

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E47 wrote:
last week

Never made a bad track.

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antlv wrote:
last week

Gang Starr <33333333333

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yummydodgerdog wrote:
last month

DJ Premier...His Spins Make em DIZZY "FULL TALENT"

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ilkkaaa wrote:
last month

The very best.

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lllmatlc wrote:
last month

Gang Starr the best duo ever, no doubt. [2]

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riigo wrote:
last month

for being "underground" this is the most formulaic bullshit ive ever heard

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Ziencio wrote:
last month

One of the best duo in rap history, hope they'll reunite and records some good joints. :]

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Enzzoz wrote:
last month

Gang Starr the best duo ever, no doubt.

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mr_frizo wrote:
last month

What up, what up??!! Just joined the community and wanted to invite you to enjoy some of my tunes.. My favorites are "Havin My Baby" and "Last Night" so if YOU like em, add them to your library and playlists.. My albums are available on my website, http://www.mrfrizo.com Hope ya like my music, and watch out for more, Stay in touch..

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Jani90 wrote:
last month

Who can even say that gang starr is mainstream? o_O

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Bry86 wrote:
last month

We like Gang Starr! ---> http://www.lastfm.es/group/Across+110th+street

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