Gang Starr are one of the few acts from that 90's crossover period in hip-hop history that were worth anything. And the first edition of Guru's solo project 'Jazzmatazz' is a bona fide classic. I met him briefly when I DJd at a Gang Starr show in The Garage in '95. He was pleasant enough if a bit arrogant, to be expected I s'pose. Still, he signed my copy of 'Jazzmatazz Vol 1' with 'Much Peace'.
The word 'on the street' is that it was HIV related. There's been all sorts of innuendo in the last few months about his relationship with Super Producer Solar, Hip Hop's 'first gay couple' but if that's true they were most defineately in the closet. Solar prevented any of Guru's family from visiting him or getting updates on his health since he had a heart attack in Feb. He had full Power of Attorney which must say something. Much more to play out in the story I'm sure but for now it's just a shame that such a talented guy has been lost at just 43.
