"On February 28, 2010, Guru went into cardiac arrest and, following surgery, fell into a coma.[11][12] It was claimed that Guru had briefly wakened from his coma[13] but died on April 19, 2010, aged 48, from multiple myeloma. Solar claimed that Guru had awoken from his coma whilst DJ Premier and members of the rapper's family stated that he never regained consciousness from his coma. Guru's family claimed that Solar prevented them from contact with Guru during the latter's final illness. The validity of the death-bed letter has been challenged by Guru's family. Harry J. Elam, Guru's older brother, wrote a personal memoir in remembrance of his brother, Keith “Guru” Elam, published in the Boston Globe on April 23, 2010" (Wikipedia)
Premier Responds.....
It has been three days since Guru passed away from cancer and until now, his partner in the seminal rap duo Gang Starr, DJ Premier, had yet to comment. Finally, the DJ/producer ended his silence this afternoon (April 21) by releasing a statement, expressing his thoughts on the death of the rapper born Keith Elam
“It was a sad day for me to get confirmation on the death of a man who I will continue to call my brother,” Preemo said.
“From 1988-2004 we experienced so much success together that we were able to expand our business independently and give each other what Guru called ‘creative space,’ before planning to reunite for our seventh LP when the time time was right,” he continued. “Tragically, we will never reach that day.
“I’ve been asked to comment on a letter speaking ill of me which was supposedly written by Guru in his dying days,” he added, addressing a press release delivered by Guru’s business partner Solar. “All I will say about it is our time together was beautiful, we built a hip-hop legacy together, and no one can re-write history or take away my love for him. One thing I would never do is play around with the truth about his life.”
“I will celebrate Guru’s life…I will honor his memory…I will grieve with the Elam family over his untimely death…I will remember the Gang Starr foundation and all of the original members of the Gang Starr who came before me…mostly, I will cherish everything we created together as Gang Starr, forever,” he concluded. “I’m gonna miss hearing his signature monotone voice when he walks in the room, but the songs will always bring it back to me…his rhyme flows were insane, and I will never remove him from my heart and soul…rest in peace to the man who felt ‘satisfaction from the street crowd reaction’…I love you Goo.”
Guru suffered from multiple myeloma for over a year, according to a press release issued by Elam Family. Accrued complications from this illness led to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest, which put the rap legend in a coma. On Monday morning, Guru became hypertensive due to low blood pressure and suffered a fatal heart attack. — Elan Mancini
WHATEVER THE CONTROVERSY SUGGESTS - THE MUSIC SAYS IT ALL......
DJ Premier's – Keith “Guru” Elam Tribute Mix
Tracklist:
Gang Starr – Betrayal (Feat. Scarface)
Gang Starr – Intro (The First Step)
Gang Starr – Execution Of A Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy Pt. 2)
Gang Starr – Name Tag (Premier & The Guru)
Gang Starr – Speak Ya Clout (Feat. Jeru the Damaja & Lil Dap)
Gang Starr – Peace Of Mine
Gang Starr – Eulogy
Gang Starr – Royalty (Feat. K-Ci & JoJo)
Gang Starr – Daily Operation (Intro)
Gang Starr – In This Life… (Feat. Snoop Dogg & Uncle Reo)
Gang Starr – Above The Clouds (Feat. Inspectah Deck)
Gang Starr – The Planet
Gang Starr – Daily Operation (Intro)
Gang Starr – Next Time
Gang Starr – 93 Interlude (Unreleased Moment Of Truth Interlude)
Gang Starr – The Militia II (Feat. Rakim & WC)
Gang Starr – Intro (HQ, Goo, Panch)
Heavy D. – A Buncha Niggas (Feat. The Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, Guru, Rob-O & Third Eye)
M.O.P. – Salute Part II (Feat. Guru)
D&D Allstars – Hot Shit (Feat. Big Daddy Kane, Sadat X, Guru & Greg Nice)
Gang Starr – PLAYTAWIN
Gang Starr – Soliloquy Of Chaos
Group Home – The Legacy (Feat. Guru)
Gang Starr – Conspiracy
Gang Starr – Stay Tuned
Gang Starr – Zonin’
Jaguar Skills also laid down a tribute mix which appeared on Trevor Nelson's BBC Radio show - check it here.....
Tracklisitng:
Guru — Name Tag
Guru — Full Clip
Guru — Jazz Thing Video Mix
Guru — The Question Remains
Guru — Soliloquy Of Chaos
Guru — Take It Personal
Guru — Daily Operation Intro
Guru — All 4 The Cash
Guru — Stick To The Script
Guru — Check The Technique
Guru — Hard To Earn To Earn
Guru - Brother — Guru
Guru — Just To Get A Rep
Guru — Speak Ya Clout
Guru — What I'm Here 4
Guru — Skills
Guru — Above The Clouds
Guru — Ex To The Next
Guru — Mass Appeal
Guru — Who Gonna Take The Weight
Guru — Stick To Sa
Guru — Now Your Mine
Guru — Dwick
Guru — Step Into The Area
Guru — Blowing Up The Spot
Guru — Code Of The Streets
Guru — You Know My Steeze
Guru — Words In Manifest
Guru — Next Time
Guru — Step Into The Area Intro
Guru — Moment Of Truth
CLASSIC GURU POSSEE TRACK WITH CLASSIC PREMO' BEATS