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R.I.P. Guru (1966-2010)

Don Notz — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:21:02 +0000

Legendary rapper Guru has lost his battle with cancer, according to the DJ Premier blog.

The blog, approved by Premier who produced Gang Starr’s classic albums with Guru, has posted the following statement. It can’t be ignored that the comments in relation to DJ Premier on said statement are either really sad, or really fishy, depending on what view you want to take, but we’re going to let those parties knowledgeable of the situation sort that out and simply take a moment to appreciate one of hip-hop’s all time greatest:

“Guru has passed away yesterday morning (April 19) after a long battle with cancer.”

According to Solar, Guru suffered from the malicious illness for over a year and after numerous special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed, the legendary MC succumbed to the disease. Guru always tried to keep this harrowing diagnosis in private but in early 2010 he had to admit himself to hospital due to serious effects caused by the disease.

Since the onset of illness, Guru tried to live a “normal” life as an influential and outstanding musician, loving father, family man, and best friend. Doctors encouraged Guru to think positive that the cancer can be arrested and that a full recovery is possible but several special treatments including hard hitting chemotherapies failed.

While in hospital with terminal cancer, Guru wrote a letter, which was provided by Solar, to his fans addressing his illness, his shining music career, his family and loved ones.

“I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options. I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting,” read the official Guru statement.

“My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody’s feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.”

The statement reads on, “I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do! As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life.”

…

Guru’s longtime partner, Solar, issues an official statement about the lost of the legendary MC which you can read below:

“The world has lost one of the best MCs and Hip-Hop icons of all time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru! Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it but tragically this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius. For the fans that reached out with love and support, I can’t tell you how much that meant to Guru and myself. Guru prepared this letter [read above] while he was in the hospital for the fans. I hope now that Guru has moved on to a better place! Guru is a great Black American Hero and should always be remembered as such and he is much more that just a Hip-Hop icon — he has changed the world for the better. I salute my fallen brother Guru! He will be missed tremendously!” Solar stated.”

TEK CDR Interview

Charley Brown — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:25:36 +0000

TEK of Smif-N-Wessun sat down with Shine Travis of CDR Radio for a hip hop interview. In the interview TEK speaks on his upcoming solo album, 24K Smoke, and the upcoming Smif-N-Wessun album produced entirely by Pete Rock.

R.I.P. Roc Raida (1972 – 2009)

Charley Brown — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 21:28:01 +0000

Another hip hop icon has passed away, and way too soon at that. Rest In Paradise Roc Raida… you will surely be missed, though I know you’re gonna get things poppin’ in Heaven. Here’s the official statement from his family, which gives insight into his unexpected death.

“Anthony Williams p/k to the world as The Legendary Grandmaster Roc Raida has passed away unexpectedly today September 19 2009. He is survived by his wife, three lovely daughters, mother and friends. Raida was recently in an mixed martial arts accident, something that he has been practicing for several years. Although he had under gone two surgeries with great success, was released to an inpatient physical therapy facility and was in great spirits the past few days. This morning he started to have complications and passed. The family asks for privacy at this time.” (via HipHopDX)

I think its important that the world remembers him for his excellence, and with that said, check the videos below of Roc Raida.

KRS-One and Buckshot Survival Skills Album Release Show

Charley Brown — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:41:33 +0000

Last night marked the album release for Buckshot and KRS-One‘s Survival Skills. To celebrate the album release, Buckshot and KRS-One, and a large number of guests came out to SOBs in NYC. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend the show and be backstage. This video is a brief glimpse of what went down… though pardon my video editing skills. They suck for lack of better terms. I’ll be posting footage of individual performances throughout the day.

Let me just say that the Survival Skills album release show was a great night for hip hop. Despite the initial problem of the guestlist being nowhere to be found, resulting in myself and my brother waiting outside for over an hour til they got it right, it was an incredible event.

Who was in the building? Well, let’s see… Kid Capri, Funkmaster Flex, DJ Premier, Busy Bee, TEK of Smif-N-Wessun, Sean Price, Rock of Heltah Skeltah, Pharoahe Monch, Skyzoo, Torae, Statik Selektah, Dan Green, Melanie Fiona, Immortal Technique, Taiger, and so many more!

But on the real, check the footage!

Skyzoo – Saving Our Grace Episode #3 – The Hope

Charley Brown — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:06:23 +0000

Skyzoo is back with episode #3 of his Saving Our Grace series. I love this promotional web series because Skyzoo is not only doing something incredibly different, but also empowering. The Salvation drops September 29, 2009, and yeah, there’s a little advertisement at the end, but the focus is on the people for each segment. Shouts to Skyzoo for thinking outside the box, and doing something different than the same old ego driven nonsense that I see in half the promotional videos that come out before albums.

Donny Goines – BET’s The Deal “Certified Fresh” Feature

Charley Brown — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:01:51 +0000

Serious props to Donny Goines. His buzz continues to grow thanks in part to his work ethic. BET’s The Deal featured him on their Certified Fresh segment. Check out the video.

Skyzoo – Saving Our Grace Episode 2: The Faith

Charley Brown — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:25:05 +0000

Skyzoo is back with the second episode of Saving Our Grace. Episode 2 is titled The Faith. I like where Skyzoo is going with this series. Skyzoo’s The Salvation is in stores September 29, 2009.

The Big L Story Documentary Trailer – Star Struck (First Draft)

Charley Brown — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:06:07 +0000

Big L was one of the greatest, end of story. I wasn’t aware that this was in the works, but I’m glad somebody is doing a documentary. This clip is from Jewlz, the director of Street Struck: The Big L Story and is just a teaser trailer of Dangerzone Films’ new documentary. Props to The T.R.O.Y. blog.

Rakim – The Seventh Seal Album Cover

Charley Brown — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:45:50 +0000

Well, reality is starting to set in. Here’s the album cover for Rakim’s The Seventh Seal. October 20, 2009… September and October are going to leave me broke with the number of incredible releases coming out in hip hop music. The Seventh Seal album cover looks epic and yes, divine-like… enough said.

Raekwon – Promo Concert Live From The Rooftop of EMI Records

Charley Brown — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:00:09 +0000

Dallas Penn provides more footage from Raekwon‘s Promo Concert, which took place on the Rooftop of EMI/Capitol Records. During the concert, Raekwon performed some of the classics, and some new joints from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2. This album can’t come soon enough. If only Nas had come through with a verse, but regardless, as Raekwon said, its his show. September 8, 2009… buy two copies.