There are some musical legends that are of monumental influence, yet still manage to fly under the radar of commercial popularity. Throughout the late 80’s and 90’s Gang Starr was a staple of Hip Hop culture. With Guru on the mic, and DJ Premier commanding the boards like a titan, the crew blazed trails of authentic street music for over 15 years. Yet, somehow in this day and age , they are often left out of conversations regarding Hip Hop’s illest crews. In my humble opinion, anyone who doesn’t recognize Gang Starr is not a true head.
Last weekend, Guru had a cardiac arrest and as a result fell into a coma. Twitter lit up almost instantaneously with updates and prayers for the suffering legend. Many of us began dropping quotes, song titles, and other Gang Starr trivia as a way to remind ourselves of the crew’s true greatness. It felt good. I hadn’t thought about some of these songs for over 10 years. It was then that I decided to dedicate the show to the crew, in the hope that the positive energy would aid in Guru’s recovery. Indeed, prayer is powerful and thoughts are things. This is a quick overview of one of the most prodigious groups that Hip Hop has ever known. Sit back, burn one and enjoy…Gang Starr y’all. The Real. Hip Hop.
1. 24-7-365-Gang Starr
2. Curtains- Little Brother
3. Criminology 2.5- Meth, Rae & Ghost
4. Lizz-Raekwon
5. Premo- Gang Starr
6. Soliloquy of Chaos-Gang Starr
7. Code of the Streets-Gang Starr
8. Manifest- Gang Starr
9. Take 2 and Pass-Gang Starr
10. Suckas Need Bodyguards-Gang Starr
11. Premo-Gang Starr
12. The Planet- Gang Starr
13. Royalty-Gang Starr
14. Mostly the Voice-Gang Starr
15. You Know My Steez-Gang Starr
16. DJ Premier is in Deep Concentration-Gang Starr
17. Above the Clouds-Gang Starr ft. Inspektah Deck
18. I’m the Man-Gang Starr ft. Lil Dap & Jeru
19. Moment of Truth-Gang Starr
Guru of the legendary rap group Gang Starr is presently in a coma as a result of complications from experiencing cardiac arrest over the weekend. My prayers go out to the brother, sending light and guidance that God will pull him thru this tumultuous time. The first time I heard Gang Starr was when they dropped “Manifest”. DJ Premier flipped Charlie Parker’s “Night in Tunisia”, and Guru dropped knowledge with calm precision, after that song, I was hooked. The crew was one of the first to soulfully fuse jazz and hip hop with a perfect balance of booming melodics. Having released 8 LP’s, they are sure to go down in the hall of fame. Please spread the word, and send good energy to the bredren that he may pull thru this challenge successfully. Give thanks…peace…
Oh the joys of traveling. I speak of incredibly long drives, occasionally terrible food, and the inspiration of finding new locales that feel like home. In this case, on this tour, I’ve been most impressed by New Orleans. Out of the 28 cities that we’ve passed thru, the jewel by the bayou is the one that has really stood out for me. This was my first visit back since Katrina, and I was more fascinated than surprised by what I encountered. Bourbon Street was still the same, drunken revelry at every turn. Yet, it seemed like the rest of the city was under reconstruction. There are vacant buildings and for sale signs everywhere, and the inevitable decay of the 18th French architecture is prevalent. At the same time, people bustle to and fro, intoxicated by the fragrant aroma of the New Orleans lifestyle. Being one of the oldest cities in the US, it is apparent that the roots run deep. It stands alone as a symbol of the trials and tribulations of African Americans, and the history of the states in general. I could feel the presence of the Spanish and French colonizers there. Although, I’m sure it will never be the same as it was before Katrina, there are still horn lines and delightful cuisine in the hearts of those strong enough to persist on thru the hard times. Hats off to the people of the New Orleans. For the record, I’m glad the Saints won, they deserved that, at the very least.
1. Soul Rebel Dub- the Wailers
2. 24 Hour Karate School- Mos Def
3. Designer Music-Self Scientific
4. Paisley Darts-Avenging Eagles
5. Drummer- Avenging Eagles
6. All My- Lee Bannon
7. B is for B.O.B.-B.O.B.
8. Transformations-Jay Electronica
9. Sorrow, Tears, & Blood-Fela Kuti
10. Any Dub You Like-Buju Banton & Wayne Wonder
11. Young Gunz-Million Stylez & Joey Fever
12. Can’t Stop Me Now-Pretty Lights
13. Down the Line-Alix Perez
14. Skydiving-Twizzle (SRC Remix)
15. Moonraker skit-JahDan
16. Some Supafly Ish-Opio ft Del & Guilty Simpson
17. Harlem Streets- Immortal Technique
18. Nautilus- Bob James
Yee! Barely got this show together…but the music gods were looking out for ya boy. I’m coming in live from the backstage of a club in Tampa, Florida, with subs and bass kicks raging in the background. Hey, we do the best we can with what we have. This week features a gang of rare gems from across the boom diaspora of music, specifically the legendary crew Massive Attack. Starting back in the late 80’s, this crew has defied musical categories, and instead have pushed the limits of varied genres and styles. The remixes on the show are melodic dub landscapes sprinkled with lush vocals, their classic trademark. Many of these jams are brand spanking new, having just been discovered thru in-depth bloggery. Enjoy family…more to come. Stay tuned. Mind-Body-Spirit. ONE
Playlist: 1. Paradise Circus- Massive Attack 2. Sound of Siren- Busy Signal ft. M.I.A. 3. Collie Field- JahDan ft 77Klash 4. Stylo- Gorillaz ft. Mos Def & Bobby Womack 5. B.O.B.-Down for Yall 6. Early Grave- Wu Tang 7. Who Got the Props- Black Moon (Smooth Mix) 8. Strong Will Continue- Damian Marley & Nas 9. I Learned the Hard Way- Sharon Jones & the DapKings 10. She’s the One- James Brown 11. Knock on Wood- J Cole 12. Girl I Love You- Massive Attack 13. I See, I Know- PZ ft. Zumbi 14. Infinite (inst)- Lee Bannon 15. Miike Snow- Billie Holiday 16. Nothings Wrong-SubScape 17. I Remember- J Majik
Respect all massive and crew! I’m doin’ it movin, literally this week , as I broadcast straight from the van heading south towards NYC. There is something acutely surreal about touring and recording at the same time. While cars and trucks rush by, I capture bits and pieces of reality as they whirl past. It’s almost as if it’s a metaphor for the constant gush of information in this day and age. With so much media available, how does one sift thru and pick what they want to allow into their range of perception? For some, it is a choice, for others it is simply succumbing to the incessant barrage of programming shoved down our throats. As for myself, I have chosen to be quite snobby about what I allow into my mind, conscious and otherwise. I realize that whatever the mind views, it perceives as reality. That includes commercials, horror movies, reality shows, whatever he receives. This is exactly the same reason why the imagination is so powerful. If you can imagine something over and over again in your mind, you begin to charge your behavior with that imagery, and draw it closer to yourself subconsciously. With that said, strive to be aware of what types of energy that you allow into your mind. Ask yourself if this is the type of thing you want to experience. Don’t be passive, make an active choice about the energy that is created in and thru you. Shouts out to J Dilla (February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006) & Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981). In celebration of our great ancestors..Church..
Playlist:
1. Take Notice- J Dilla
2. Mr. Brown- Bob Marley
3. Victory- DJ Khaled ft Nas & John Legend
4. Zone Out- Jeff Chery
5. The Edge-the Burnerz
6. Ladies- Megaphone ft Zumbi
7. Nuthin Like This- J Dilla
8. Window Seat- Erykah Badu
9. I.T.T.-Fela Kuti
10. Wickidness-Mungo’s Hi Fi ft Brother Culture
11. Here I Come- Barrington Levy
This show went off!!! The photos speak for themselves..enjoy!! The house was packed and thick clouds of smoke were wafting thru the air. Shouts out to Rebelution and Soja..who crushed the stage, as usual!
