Gang Starr

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Brooklyn NY, United States (1987 – 2005)

Gang Starr was an influential American duo, composed of late 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 were based in and represented 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 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 Thing”, featured on the soundtrack to Spike Lee’s film Mo’ Better Blues, helped establish the sound of jazz-hop, 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.
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  • IxCLuTcH

    The Beasley, I know what you mean The earlier albums had to grow on me at first.

    8 days ago

  • G0dL0vesUgly

    vv I kinda feel you on Daily Operation, thats one of my favorite albums by them, but Hard to Earn and Step in the Arena are both as fuck!

    8 days ago

  • TheBeasley

    I love Gang Stars latter work like Moment Of Truth & The Ownerz, but I can't come to like their earlier albums. I know their earlier work are praised due to heavenly production by Premo et cetera, but there's a distinctive difference productionwise between say "Step in the Arena" and "Moment of Truth". MoT has a much cleaner, smooth sound that I prefer, even though I've heard some people say this was the beginning of the decline of Premo. Hell, I don't know...

    14 days ago

  • MrRez

    HEY! CHECK RUSSIAN "BEASTIE-STYLE" PUNKY OLD-SCHOOL HIP-HOP BAND ЛЕЙТЕНАНТ КОЛОМБО http://www.lastfm.ru/music/Лейтенант+Коломбо

    18 days ago

  • HenryCharlesB

    RIP

    23 days ago

  • Mihhu

    http://www.lastfm.pl/music/Gang+Starr/+images/77158596

    last month

  • kankick

    BEST HIP HOP GROUP

    last month

  • BarneyJWY

    RIP Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal [2]

    last month
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