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Gang Starr
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
Gang Starr was an American hip hop duo, made up of the rapper Guru from Boston and the producer DJ Premier from Houston. The name already existed: the first group was formed at Morehouse College by three friends from Boston, Guru, Big Shug and DJ Suave D. After a first and a second split, only Guru remained. He invited DJ Premier, who was then still called Waxmaster C, to move to Brooklyn. In 1989 their first single Words I Manifest appeared, together with the album No More Mr. Nice Guy.
Music and breakthrough
In 1990 the group signed to Chrysalis, which offered the duo a great deal of artistic freedom and worldwide distribution. Step in the Arena followed, then Daily Operation in 1992, Hard to Earn in 1994 and Moment of Truth in 1998. Among their best-known songs are Mass Appeal, Take It Personal, Full Clip and Above the Clouds. Jazz Thing was on the soundtrack of Spike Lee's Mo' Better Blues, and Battle on that of 8 Mile.
Influence
Gang Starr is regarded as one of the pioneers of jazz rap in the golden age of hip hop and helped shape the hardcore New York hip hop sound. The duo had a fixed division of labour: Premier made the music, Guru rapped. At the end of 2002 Premier returned to the United States, and in 2019 one more album appeared, One of the Best Yet.
Listening
Step in the Arena · Gang Starr, 1991Apple Music ↗
Discography
Studio albums
- 1989No More Mr. Nice Guy
- 1990Step in the Arena
- 1992Daily Operation
- 1994Hard to Earn
- 1998Moment of Truth
- 2003The Ownerz
- 2019One of the Best Yet
In School of Rock
The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.
- After Hours: Session 4NL Reader
Mentioned in other articles
- Jazz rap Genre
Gang Starr, with the rapper Guru and the producer DJ Premier, made Jazz Thing in 1990 for the film Mo' Better Blues.