Guru (1961-2010)
Born: Keith Elam
Repped: Roxbury, MA
Cause of death: Cancer
Albums: Jazzmatazz Vol. 1 (1993); Ill Kid Records (VA, 1995), Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality (1995), Jazzmatazz Vol. 3: Streetsoul (2000), Baldhead Slick & Da Click (2001), Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures (2005), Jazzmatazz Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back To The Future (2007), Guru 8.0: Lost and Found (2009)
Best known for: His work with DJ Premier as Gang Starr
“He used to get upset about so much stuff when we were dealing with the label all the time. We both would be upset. But I would take the calls because when he was upset he would flip, where you might not be able to handle him when he’s wilding out. With me, although I had a temper, I was much calmer about it. But I always remember whenever I would tell him, “Yo Guru, don’t worry about it, they are going to take care of it,” he would be happy as fuck. He would be like, “Yo, let’s go out for a drink.” He was the go-out king. That was his routine. He was definitely a celebratory guy. Anyone from our era knows that Guru was in every club and every bar and every spot. He could go all night, all day. And he would never be tired! - DJ Premier