I made a post like this about a month ago.. and then when I found out that the “death of Guru” was a rumor started by twitter heads, I withdrew the post but kept the content there as an artifact. Today, I was once again awaken to the news of his death but this time without thought, I knew it was real. Guru has become over the years a staple voice in hip hop, whose music transcends time, generations and life.
Death is inevitable, and beautiful when you lived long enough to see things, feel things and experience what the universe has to offer. It is still beautiful to have died and left so much valuables for the world to search and find. As with Michael Jackson and the other greats that have passed along into what I do not know of yet, there will be a common base of artifacts for generations who need a quick introduction on the template, blueprint and characteristics of said genre. For me Guru wasn’t just a hip hop artist, he brought tradition to life, he was positive, humble and never wished to be different than that. Death on the other hand immediately gives off a negative connotation because of the life that is taken away, I see it as the opposite although the suffering & pain is alleviated through death, I always hope that it was never there to begin with. That is.. it is.. so now we must carry on with the celebration of life without being upset and saddened by the death.
Today I listened to a tribute from Mister Cee, a proclaimed hip hop DJ from New York’s Hot97 radio station. The reason I chose this tribute above all else was due to the fact that he appreciates Guru’s life without the red tape, structure or mechanics, meaning he really just put it down the way HE wants to put it down for the tri – state and the world to enjoy.
Update: Dj Premier tribute mix: peep the purposeful start of the mix and the scratched words.
Below is one of my favorite Gangstarr tunes:
