Gang Starr

Gang Starr was an East Coast hip hop duo consisting of the late MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their unique style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop, helping to pioneer the New York hip hop sound. Founded in 1985 by Keith Elam (then known as Keithy E. The Guru) and DJ 1,2 B-Down (also known as Mike Dee), Gang Starr released several successful singles and albums throughout their career.

After splitting in 1989, Guru continued under the name Gang Starr and teamed up with DJ Premier (then known as Waxmaster C). Together, they released their first single "Words I Manifest" along with the album No More Mr. Nice Guy in 1989. Their catalog includes highly respected albums such as Step in the Arena (1991), Daily Operation (1992), Hard to Earn (1994), and Moment of Truth (1998).

Gang Starr's influence on the music industry is evident through their collaborations with various producers and their track "Jazz Thing," which was featured on Spike Lee's film Mo' Better Blues soundtrack. With a fusion of jazz and hip hop, Gang Starr left a lasting impact on the genre.