o, thanks for posting your interview excerpts too. very cool
awesome that guru was a speed skater!! when his brother was writing about that, it made me think of seeing guru in videos and being reminded of a pitbull...real tenacious with lots of stored energy he could unleash when needed
I noticed that too. A glaring omission in what was otherwise a wonderful read. I think there's possibly two reasons: 1, Guru did in fact never resolve his feelings toward Premier, which we'll maybe never know. And 2, that it was strictly a piece about Guru. It's not like Solar was mentioned, either...
I noticed that too. A glaring omission in what was otherwise a wonderful read. I think there's possibly two reasons: 1, Guru did in fact never resolve his feelings toward Premier, which we'll maybe never know. And 2, that it was strictly a piece about Guru. It's not like Solar was mentioned, either...
True. I'm not trying to insinuate motive here, only that it's a glaring omission as you say. It's like eulogizing JMJ and neglecting to note he DJed for Run DMC. But whatever, a really nice eulogy otherwise; very heartfelt.
I mean, one of the things that's been nagging me about this whole thing is the possibility that even if the letter itself wasn't penned by Guru, and maybe massaged a bit by Solar (yes PAUSE!), that the basic content of it wasn't far off from how he felt. Which would be tragic, but to me isn't out of the question.
I've had loved ones near death resolve their petty disagreements and beefs, and also seen people go to their grave with dark hearts and anger at the world, their relatives, their children... it's not outside the realm of possibility that Guru went to his maker with that bitter hatred in his heart still.
I mean, one of the things that's been nagging me about this whole thing is the possibility that even if the letter itself wasn't penned by Guru, and maybe massaged a bit by Solar (yes PAUSE!), that the basic content of it wasn't far off from how he felt. Which would be tragic, but to me isn't out of the question.
I've had loved ones near death resolve their petty disagreements and beefs, and also seen people go to their grave with dark hearts and anger at the world, their relatives, their children... it's not outside the realm of possibility that Guru went to his maker with that bitter hatred in his heart still.
It read more like a eulogy about a man's brother....I didn't find it strange at all.
I was about to write the same thing. It's a very personal piece.
I don't doubt that but his life and career (which the piece is very much about) are inherently intertwined with Gang Starr. Again, I'm not suggesting some ulterior motive; it's just weird. You can't talk about Guru without thinking of Gang Starr anymore you can talk about John Lennon without thinking of the Beatles or Brian Wilson without the Beach Boys.
It read more like a eulogy about a man's brother....I didn't find it strange at all.
I was about to write the same thing. It's a very personal piece.
I don't doubt that but his life and career (which the piece is very much about) are inherently intertwined with Gang Starr. Again, I'm not suggesting some ulterior motive; it's just weird. You can't talk about Guru without thinking of Gang Starr anymore you can talk about John Lennon without thinking of the Beatles or Brian Wilson without the Beach Boys.
Also, he does mention Jazzmatazz by name repeatedly. It is odd.
It read more like a eulogy about a man's brother....I didn't find it strange at all.
I was about to write the same thing. It's a very personal piece.
I don't doubt that but his life and career (which the piece is very much about) are inherently intertwined with Gang Starr. Again, I'm not suggesting some ulterior motive; it's just weird. You can't talk about Guru without thinking of Gang Starr anymore you can talk about John Lennon without thinking of the Beatles or Brian Wilson without the Beach Boys.
Due to his own interest in jazz, the Jazzmatazz years were likely just the part of his brother's musical career that he had the most personal connection to. He probably considers it the apex of Guru's career.
It read more like a eulogy about a man's brother....I didn't find it strange at all.
I was about to write the same thing. It's a very personal piece.
I don't doubt that but his life and career (which the piece is very much about) are inherently intertwined with Gang Starr. Again, I'm not suggesting some ulterior motive; it's just weird. You can't talk about Guru without thinking of Gang Starr anymore you can talk about John Lennon without thinking of the Beatles or Brian Wilson without the Beach Boys.
For us, but not necessarily for his family members. Jazzmatazz, I can only guess, made it in there because it came later, it was personal to Guru and was his own endeavour.
I'm still trying to deal with all of this, I haven't posted in an rip threads yet. I have talked my shit about both premier and guru, but when it comes down to it, I can't imagine rap without them, their combination.
There are very few people whose death had me worry about the way they left things.
Guru, I truly wish you find some peace in the after life.
Among the many lessons you have taught me, I am still trying to grasp this last one.
It read more like a eulogy about a man's brother....I didn't find it strange at all.
I was about to write the same thing. It's a very personal piece.
I don't doubt that but his life and career (which the piece is very much about) are inherently intertwined with Gang Starr. Again, I'm not suggesting some ulterior motive; it's just weird. You can't talk about Guru without thinking of Gang Starr anymore you can talk about John Lennon without thinking of the Beatles or Brian Wilson without the Beach Boys.
For us, but not necessarily for his family members.
Sure. As I keep noting, I'm not trying to insinuate motive; it's not for me to know what was in Harry's heart or mind when he wrote this.
But I can say, as a reader, it's, as JP noted, "a glaring omission" and raises questions, whether intentional or not. It suggests, at the very least, that such an omission wasn't accidental and that whatever rift broke up the group was deeply personal rather than just professional.
I, also as a reader and not the only person to mention it, did not find it strange. I can't say it's a point I really want to talk to death, SoulStrut-style.
I, also as a reader and not the only person to mention it, did not find it strange. I can't say it's a point I really want to talk to death, SoulStrut-style.
It read more like a eulogy about a man's brother....I didn't find it strange at all.
I was about to write the same thing. It's a very personal piece.
I don't doubt that but his life and career (which the piece is very much about) are inherently intertwined with Gang Starr. Again, I'm not suggesting some ulterior motive; it's just weird. You can't talk about Guru without thinking of Gang Starr anymore you can talk about John Lennon without thinking of the Beatles or Brian Wilson without the Beach Boys.
For us, but not necessarily for his family members.
Sure. As I keep noting, I'm not trying to insinuate motive; it's not for me to know what was in Harry's heart or mind when he wrote this.
But I can say, as a reader, it's, as JP noted, "a glaring omission" and raises questions, whether intentional or not. It suggests, at the very least, that such an omission wasn't accidental and that whatever rift broke up the group was deeply personal rather than just professional.
Not to drag this out [as I proceed to drag this out], but it is worth noting that the piece is called My brother, Gang Starr's Guru (not sure if Harry named the piece). He also begins by quoting Positivity.
Personally, I think seeing his brother work with Donald Byrd and Roy Ayers (on his own album) was the first time that he was thoroughly geeked out by one of his brother's musical projects. When he brags about his brother, that's probably the first thing he mentions.
Comments
I would have to think so. It's not a secret that Gang Starr was considered one of the greatest rap groups ever.
Thanks, R*ss! Sorry I dragged my heels on it, but I just mailed you a package with some God lessons and dog lessons for the seed.
http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2010/04/23/my_brother_gang_starrs_guru/
damn, that brought tears to my eyes.
o, thanks for posting your interview excerpts too. very cool
awesome that guru was a speed skater!! when his brother was writing about that, it made me think of seeing guru in videos and being reminded of a pitbull...real tenacious with lots of stored energy he could unleash when needed
True. I'm not trying to insinuate motive here, only that it's a glaring omission as you say. It's like eulogizing JMJ and neglecting to note he DJed for Run DMC. But whatever, a really nice eulogy otherwise; very heartfelt.
I've had loved ones near death resolve their petty disagreements and beefs, and also seen people go to their grave with dark hearts and anger at the world, their relatives, their children... it's not outside the realm of possibility that Guru went to his maker with that bitter hatred in his heart still.
And that depresses the shit out of me.
I feel the same way.
I was about to write the same thing. It's a very personal piece.
I don't doubt that but his life and career (which the piece is very much about) are inherently intertwined with Gang Starr. Again, I'm not suggesting some ulterior motive; it's just weird. You can't talk about Guru without thinking of Gang Starr anymore you can talk about John Lennon without thinking of the Beatles or Brian Wilson without the Beach Boys.
Also, he does mention Jazzmatazz by name repeatedly. It is odd.
Due to his own interest in jazz, the Jazzmatazz years were likely just the part of his brother's musical career that he had the most personal connection to. He probably considers it the apex of Guru's career.
For us, but not necessarily for his family members.
Jazzmatazz, I can only guess, made it in there because it came later, it was personal to Guru and was his own endeavour.
There are very few people whose death had me worry about the way they left things.
Guru, I truly wish you find some peace in the after life.
Among the many lessons you have taught me, I am still trying to grasp this last one.
Sure. As I keep noting, I'm not trying to insinuate motive; it's not for me to know what was in Harry's heart or mind when he wrote this.
But I can say, as a reader, it's, as JP noted, "a glaring omission" and raises questions, whether intentional or not. It suggests, at the very least, that such an omission wasn't accidental and that whatever rift broke up the group was deeply personal rather than just professional.
I, also as a reader and not the only person to mention it, did not find it strange.
I can't say it's a point I really want to talk to death, SoulStrut-style.
She says as she <i>responds to the thread</i>.
Not to drag this out [as I proceed to drag this out], but it is worth noting that the piece is called My brother, Gang Starr's Guru (not sure if Harry named the piece). He also begins by quoting Positivity.
Personally, I think seeing his brother work with Donald Byrd and Roy Ayers (on his own album) was the first time that he was thoroughly geeked out by one of his brother's musical projects. When he brags about his brother, that's probably the first thing he mentions.
The guy's not even on Wikipedia. How does someone work with Guru for seven years and not have a Wikipedia entry?
You have to google "The Gay Rapper".
the title of the piece is "My brother, Gang Starr?s Guru"