Keith Elam (July 17, 1961[1] – April 19, 2010),[2][3] better known by his stage name Guru, was an American emcee and member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts.[4] The name Guru is a backronym that stands for Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal and the less-often used God is Universal; he is the Ruler Universal, which are both references to the teachings of the Nation of Gods and Earths. He is also known for lending his voice for 8-Ball in Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.
Biography
[edit] Early years

Keith Elam was born in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. His father, Harry, was a judge and his mother, Barbara, was the co-director of libraries in the Boston public school system. He attended Noble and Greenough in Dedham, Massachusetts for high school. [5] Elam graduated in business administration from Morehouse College in Atlanta[6] and took graduate classes in the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. He later dropped out to pursue a rap career. Elam worked briefly as a social worker.[5]
[edit] Musical career

Keith Elam began his rap career under the pseudonym, MC Keithy E, but later changed name to Guru.[5] He founded Gang Starr in 1987. The group initially released three records, produced by DJ Mark the 45 King, on the Wild Pitch Records record label but these records received little attention.[6][7] After a change in line-up, the group now consisting of rapper Elam and DJ Premier, Gang Starr released their first LP No More Mr. Nice Guy on Wild Pitch Records; they achieved a sizable following and released six critically acclaimed and influential albums from 1989 to 2003.[5] Two albums, Moment of Truth (1998) and compilation Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr (1999) were certified gold in the United States by the RIAA.[5] Gang Starr made "archetypal East Coast rap" with Guru's rapping described as sharp eyed but anti-ostentatious.[5][6]

In 1993, Elam released the first in a series of four solo albums while still a member of Gang Starr. Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 featured collaborations with Donald Byrd, N'Dea Davenport, MC Solaar and Roy Ayers and received positive reviews.[8] His second solo LP, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality, featured Chaka Khan, Ramsey Lewis, Branford Marsalis and Jamiroquai. The third installment was released in 2000, but received less positive reviews.[9]

Speaking of the background to the Jazzmatazz project, Elam told Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul: "Back around '93 - when I first came up with the 'Jazzmatazz' concept - I was noticing how a lot of cats were digging in the crates and sampling jazz breaks to make hip hop records. But, while I thought that was cool, I wanted to take it to the next level and actually create a new genre, by getting the actual dudes we were sampling into the studio to jam over hip hop beats with some of the top voclaists of the time. You know, the whole thing was experimental, but I knew it was an idea that would spawn some historic music."[10]

Elam's first solo album not a part the Jazzmatazz series, Baldhead Slick & da Click was released in 2001 to poor reviews.[11] The album reached #22 in the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop album charts. The "seventh chapter in the book of Guru", Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures, was released in 2005 on Elam's record label, 7 Grand Records. The album was produced entirely by labelmate, Solar. It reached #54 on the Billboard R&B albums charts and received mixed reviews.[12]

Elam's final releases were the fourth installment in the Jazzmatazz series, again with production entirely by Solar, released in June 2007, and Guru 8.0: Lost And Found, released May 19, 2009 (also in collaboration with Solar). A Gang Starr reunion album was planned but will never be released due to Guru's death.[13]

Death

On February 28, 2010, Guru went into cardiac arrest and, following surgery, fell into a coma.[14][15] It was claimed that Guru had briefly awakened from his coma[16] but died on April 19, 2010, at the age of 48, from cancer.[17] Elam was survived by his parents, three siblings and a son, Keith Casim.[5]

Solar claimed that Guru had awakened from his coma[18] though DJ Premier and members of the rapper's family stated that he never regained consciousness from his coma.[19] Guru's family claimed that Solar prevented them from contact with Guru during the latter's final illness.[20] The validity of the death-bed letter has been challenged by Guru's family.[21]

DJ Premier produced a tribute mix to Guru[22] and has released a public letter[23] along with Guru's sister Patricia Elam.[24] Harry J. Elam, Guru's older brother, wrote a personal memoir in remembrance of his brother, Keith “Guru” Elam, published in The Boston Globe on April 23, 2010.[25]

Guest appearances

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

* 1990: "Jazz Thing" (from the soundtrack of Mo' Better Blues)
* 1991: "Qui Semé Le Vent Recolte Le Tempo (Gang Starr Remix)" (from a MC Solaar 12" single)
* 1992: "It's Getting Hectic" (from the Brand New Heavies album Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1)
* 1993: "Patti Dooke" (from De La Soul album Buhloone Mindstate)
* 1993: "Season For Change" (from the Ronny Jordan album The Quiet Revolution)
* 1993: "Listen (Guru Remix)" (from a Urban Species 12" single)
* 1994: "Borough Check" (from the Digable Planets album Blowout Comb)
* 1994: "I've Lost My Ignorance" (from the Dream Warriors album Subliminal Simulation)
* 1994: "Black Monday" (from the Buckshot LeFonque single "Another Day")
* 1995: "B-Boy Mastermind" (from the DJ Krush album Krush) – This appears on the Japanese import only.
* 1995: "Serious Rap Shit" (from the Group Home album Livin' Proof)
* 1996: "Fed Up (Remix)" (from House of Pain album Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again)
* 1996: "Listen Here" (from The New Groove: The Blue Note Remix Project)
* 1999: "NY Niggaz" (from the Sway & King Tech album This or That)
* 1999: "Bare Witness" (from the Choclair album Ice Cold)
* 1999: "Whatever Happened to Gus" (Word to the Drums mix) (from the Medeski Martin & Wood album Combustication Remix EP)
* 2001: "Worst Comes to Worst" (from the Dilated Peoples album Expansion Team)
* 2002: "Karma" (from the Adam F 12" single also featuring Carl Thomas)
* 2003: "Condor (Espionage)" (from the DJ Cam album Soulshine)
* 2003: "Knowledge of Self" (from the BT album Emotional Technology)
* 2005: 5 songs from the Big Shug album Never Say Die
* 2006: "Junk" (from the Ferry Corsten album L.E.F.)
* 2007: "Major Game" (from the Domingo album The Most Underrated)
* 2008: "Watucamehere 4" (from the Downsyde album All City)

http://www.gurusjazzmatazz.net/

Making of video, from the upcoming Single debut Gs Up. Zulu King Entertainment releases yet again a new project. MCBEE feat AK-Swift, Harv Dent & exclusive appearance by Gravy Mavis. Produced by Jeeve Ducornet , (Crystal Ship Music / Wheres My Cut Productions) Los Angeles. C.A. USA. http://www.jeeve.us Vocal arrangement and tracking by MCBEE for (Zulu King Entertainment). Dieburg Germany http://www.zulukingent.com Video Production by Eric "Eazy E" Baier Lost in Mind Productions Bad Soden, Frankfurt Germany Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/EazyE1982 Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/eric_b1982

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LGWa56KTL8&feature=autofb

THE INFINITY LESSONS
This has been given to you for a reason.
Open your hearts to embrace the pull of the Universal tide. The bridge has been built. Now is the time for us to cross into the next dimension of Togetherness that the New Age has brought.
Don't fight what you can feel.
Every One of Us is truly a divine creation, each unique in nature, the result of a spark from the Fire in the heart of God. The Age of Aquarius is truly here. This is a time for our self identity to be revealed. We are all divine beings. After 26,000 years, as enough of Humanity reaches this realization, an effect is created on all human beings. The Force of Truth is pressing on us. The Force has cracked the dam, which restrains Human consciousness and has allowed an unstoppable flowing energy to be released.
This Force of Truth is gaining more momentum every day, as more people feel it's effects.
Don't fight the flow. Let it carry you to our true destiny, Unity.
The illusion of separateness is the dam that blocks the stream of consciousness. Overcome the illusion; expand your circle of compassion.
Love One Another
As the circle expands, our collective consciousness grows, bringing us to ever-higher realizations of divinity.
As we are individually aligned with our true nature, the whole of humanity is strengthened, By focusing on your own development you serve all of humanity.
At different times in history, certain fully realized beings have come to teach us by. Revealing different parts of the plan for the development of humanity as a 'Whole. These teachings have all focused on the universal truths, and have taught about the power of Love. Do unto others, as you would have them do to you.
Multiplied and exponential growth...as more and more of us discover the truth inside.
The New World is Inside You.
Zulu Kings brings forth the vision that we may all exist in harmony. We celebrate our divine nature, and appreciate
Our individual contributions to the good of the group...
This is the true nature of the Age of Aquarius. Through coming together with music and dance, We Unite.
Since the beginning of time people have danced as a way of communing with the higher power. People have danced in prayer, for fertility, to help their crops grow, to communicate with spirits, and to celebrate Life.
Dancing is a meditative way for many of us to experience visions of Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect, and transmits these Visions to humanity
As we align our mind, body and spirit we become aware of the natural pull to that which is right. "Thought" is replaced with "Feel".
We are all like stars in the constellations above; we exist in relationship to each other. In the galaxy of human consciousness no one is alone. We all live together.
Be as one Spirit, one Soul, leaves of one tree, flowers of one garden, waves of one ocean.
Be Who You Are,
The Truth is inside

www.zulunation.com

Find out all the Upcoming "HYPE" under 411! It will keep you informed with all 5 Elements in your area.