Whenever hip-hop loses one of its pioneerssome will morn and other will celebrate his life. Either wayRest In Peace to Guru.
Pioneering New York rapper Guru has died – and controversy is brewing over a letter he supposedly wrote on his deathbed. The 43-year-old Gang Starr founder, whose real name is Keith Elam, died after a long battle with cancer, his collaborator Solar said.
Guru’s death came almost two months after he suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized in New York. He reportedly fell into a coma after surgery. "The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all time," Solar said.
"Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle. This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it, but tragically, this did not happen. The cancer took him."
Solar also released a letter purportedly written by Guru on his deathbed – dissing his former Gang Starr partner DJ Premier. Guru, who had a falling out with DJ Premier over contract disputes several years ago, said he didn’t want him to participate in any event marking his death.
"I had nothing to do with him in life for over seven years and want nothing to do with him in death," the letter states. The hip-hop world was abuzz about the letter, with some questioning whether Guru really wrote it. Solar had no direct comment on the note.
"All the evil that lurks around you will leave," he said in a radio-show tribute to his ex-partner. Guru’s promoter, Kal Denninger, said the celebrated rapper gave the letter to Solar to issue to his fans.
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