Guru: Still Got the Skills

As a key element of both Gang Starr and Jazzmatazz, <b>Guru</b> has been pioneering hip-hop for over twenty years. <b>David McNamara</b> meets up with the legend and his latest collaborator to find out why he has no intention of stopping anytime soon.

Feature by David McNamara | 07 May 2009

For the past two decades Keith Elam a.k.a. Guru has remained at the forefront of hip-hop by reinventing himself and constantly pushing the boundaries of the genre. He has released sixteen albums under three different projects and there is no end in sight. His latest, Guru 8.0: Lost and Found, is his fourth full-length collaboration with producer Solar and Guru seems to have lost none of his enthusiasm over the years. When describing his latest album he excitedly declares: “These are seventeen bangers of pure fire!”

The duo has been working together for the last four years and it seems to be paying off. Guru’s last solo album, Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures, reached number one in the college hip-hop charts and made it into the top ten most successful independent albums of 2005. When asked to describe how he came up with the title for his latest release, Guru proposes “it speaks for itself. Hip-hop was lost and now it is found with this record. We got the claim ticket.”

This statement may sound extremely bold, even arrogant. Then again, Guru does have one of the largest catalogues of any individual hip-hop artist so perhaps it's not without merit. After all, as a founding member of Gang Starr he released eight albums to critical acclaim, including the highly influential Step in the Arena and Daily Operation.

Not content with shaping the face of hip-hop once, Guru then broke the mould again with the internationally renowned Jazzmatazz series. The success of these collaborative albums placed Guru at the helm of the hip-hop/ jazz crossover movement in the nineties. However, as most artists are inclined to proclaim, he believes that his latest work is his best to date. “I love all the stuff I have done in the past but this is my favourite piece of work," says Guru. "It shows my versatility as an emcee and Solar as a producer.”

Lost and Found is proof that Guru is more than willing to take a few risks. He voices his disgust at the hypocrisy of contemporary hip-hop with his unique style on Those Days R Gone and Stop Frontin’. At the other end of the spectrum, Own Worst Enemy is an electro ballad about the absurdities of posturing and It’s A Shock prophesises a future where technology dominates man. When asked if he ever finds it difficult to come up with new material, Guru calmly responds, “Not at all. I just take my new experiences and don’t let the stress of the industry get to me.”

Talking about the inspiration behind his latest offering, the Boston born rapper suggests “people are obsessed with the whole fame thing and are willing to sell out.” However, when asked to provide examples he cautiously advises, “I’m not naming names but we all know who they are.”

The influence of Solar on this album is unquestionable. His exquisite production skills are evident throughout all of Lost and Found but are most prominent on futuristic anthems Fastlane and Cee What We Do. Like Guru, he is also determined not to dwell on past glories. The New York producer admits, “It would be easy to do a rework of a Gang Starr record or keep doing Jazzmatazz. He then adds, “Jazzmatazz is still going really well. We are still selling a lot of records.” When asked why they decided to move away from such a successful venture, Solar states: “It’s a gamble but we just want to make an adventurous album that people will love.”

It would be perfectly understandable for someone in Guru’s position to rely on his established repertoire to please the crowd at live shows. Stubborn as a mule, he refuses to pander to the nostalgia for his old work. “I don’t feel that pressure to play the old stuff,” he says. “It’s usually only one dude at shows shouting for it and he eventually gives up when the rest of the crowd are feeling the new material.”

In his forties now, Guru is well aware that a lot of people think he has nothing new to offer. When asked about discrimination towards older artists within hip-hop culture. “It’s just not seen in hip-hop," he suggests. "It’s seen in rock and roll with the Rolling Stones. In hip-hop you’re just meant to lay down and fade away.” Defiantly, Guru declares: “That is not gonna happen.”

Whilst on the topic of age, I cannot help but question how hard it must be to maintain the demanding schedule of a travelling musician. Guru establishes that it is less challenging these days because he is much more disciplined. He argues, “It’s actually easier now because I’m in the best shape of my life. I haven’t drank in over six years. I don’t smoke. I don’t eat meat. My well being is refined.”

However, he is happy to admit that it has not always been so easy. Reflecting on his past, Guru confesses, “The drinking takes a toll on touring and doing interviews. It makes everything harder.” The creator of jazz rap gratefully offers thanks to his producer, saying, “That’s thanks to Solar for being a good influence. That’s what good friends are for.”

Guru and Solar are not only collaborating in the studio. In 2004 the pair started their own independent label, 7 Grand Records. Solar is the first to admit that the current economy has not made it easy to run a record label. “The music industry is in a terrible state,” he advises. “Labels are closing left and right so it’s a miracle that we’ve managed to stay alive and stay profitable.” When asked if they have any plans to sign new artists he admits, “We are hoping fans get behind this record so that we can sign new artists.” Laughing, he shouts, “You wanna see more talent? Buy more records!”

Guru 8.0: Lost and Found is out now via 7 Grand.

http://www.guru7grand.net