Rapper Keith Elam, A.K.A. Guru has died aged 43 after a long battle with cancer, according to statements published online. The New York MC - whose real name was Keith Elam - suffered cardiac arrest on March 2 and had been in a coma.
His death was announced on the DJ Premier Blog site. Premier and Guru made up the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, which released six albums between 1989 and 2003. Guru went on to release a series of "Jazzmatazz" albums featuring collaborations with Cortney Pine, Roy Ayers and Kool Keith.
The statement also includes a letter, apparently written by Guru and passed to friend and producer Solar, that would appear to maintain a beef Guru had with Premier.
A statement on the DJ Premier Blog site said: "Guru has passed away yesterday morning (April 19) after a long battle with cancer.
"According to Solar, Guru suffered from the malicious illness for over a year and after numerous special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed, the legendary MC succumbed to the disease. Guru always tried to keep this harrowing diagnosis in private but in early 2010 he had to admit himself to hospital due to serious effects caused by the disease."
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via Billboard.com
His death was announced on the DJ Premier Blog site. Premier and Guru made up the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, which released six albums between 1989 and 2003. Guru went on to release a series of "Jazzmatazz" albums featuring collaborations with Cortney Pine, Roy Ayers and Kool Keith.
The statement also includes a letter, apparently written by Guru and passed to friend and producer Solar, that would appear to maintain a beef Guru had with Premier.
A statement on the DJ Premier Blog site said: "Guru has passed away yesterday morning (April 19) after a long battle with cancer.
"According to Solar, Guru suffered from the malicious illness for over a year and after numerous special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed, the legendary MC succumbed to the disease. Guru always tried to keep this harrowing diagnosis in private but in early 2010 he had to admit himself to hospital due to serious effects caused by the disease."
Spread Love. Live Life. Be Inspired.
♥ t i f f a n y
Proud supporter of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
via Billboard.com
Idizzle R.I.P. GURU, thx for coverin this.