Characteristically late and after everything’s already been said, I offer a tribute to Guru at Pop & Hiss. Rather than generalize about his greatness, the article highlights ten of Keithy E’s best moments on wax, conveniently ignoring Baldhead Slick & Da Click. Yes, “JFK 2 Lax” and/or “Above the Clouds,” and/or your favorite Gang Starr song deserve inclusion, but 1,500 words is enough. Few rappers ever boasted as appropriate of a name as Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal — the tragic conclusion of his life should not and will not overshadow the immense wisdom and righteousness he offered in his prime.
If the mark of a great entertainer is that they could make a reading of the phone book interesting, “In Memory Of,” validates the acclaim lavished on Guru during his life and after-death. He not only makes a Yizkor Service compelling, but he makes it haunting and emotionally resonant. Had he not been a rapper, he could’ve been a rabbi dispensing proverbs — though I’m unsure if rabbi’s are allowed to be “in the club, with three bitches doing rub-a-dub.” There has been discussion in certain Internet backwaters that bloggers have not given Guru his proper due. I do not believe this to be true. I have never met a hip-hop fan in real life who didn’t hold Guru in the highest esteem. Even my friends that wore khaki’s liked him. Like baggy slacks, he was crazy hip-hop. And he will be missed. –Weiss
Download:
MP3: Matthew Africa – Gang Starr Mix (One MP3)
ZIP: Matthew Africa – Gang Starr Mix (Left-Click, As Individual Tracks)
