DESCRIPTION:
Gang Starr
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gang Starr was an East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York swing jazz and hip hop.
Background

The group was founded by Freak in Boston, Massachusetts in 1985 (then known as Keithy E. The Guru) and DJ 1,2 B-Down (also known as Mike Dee) with various producers, such as Donald D, J.V. Johnson or DJ Mark the 45 King helping out. In 1987 and 1988, Gang Starr released three 12" vinyl singles on the Wild Pitch label.
In 1989, the group split and the only member willing to continue under the name Gang Starr was Guru. He soon got in touch with DJ Premier (then known as Waxmaster C) who sent him a beat tape which Guru liked. He invited DJ Premier to join Gang Starr and in that same year they released their first single "Words I Manifest" along with the album No More Mr. Nice Guy (1989).
During their career Gang Starr helped pioneer the New York hip hop sound, and in fact, many an artist who achieved greater notoriety owes much of their sound, lyrical style, and even content to Gang Starr. The entirety of Gang Starr's catalog, especially Step in the Arena (1990), Daily Operation (1992), Hard to Earn (1994) and Moment of Truth (1998) are well-respected among critics. Their track "Jazz Thing", featured on the soundtrack to Spike Lee's film Mo' Better Blues, helped establish the sound of jazz rap.


Discography

Studio albums
No More Mr. Nice Guy (1989)
Step In the Arena (1991)
Daily Operation (1992)
Hard to Earn (1994)
Moment of Truth (1998)
The Ownerz (2003)
Compilations
Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr (1999)
Mass Appeal: Best of Gang Starr (2006)
Singles
"Words I Manifest"/"DJ Premier In Deep Concentration"
"Positivity"/"No More Mr. Nice Guy (Remix)"
"Just To Get A Rep"/"Who's Gonna Take The Weight?"
"Lovesick"/"What You Want This Time?"/"Credit Is Due"
"Step In The Arena"/"Check The Technique (Remix)"/"Credit Is Due"
"2 Deep"/"Take It Personal"/"Ex Girl to Next Girl"/"B.Y.S."/"Soliloquy of Chaos"
"Code of the Streets"/"Speak Ya Clout"
"Dwyck"
"Mass Appeal"
"Suckas Need Bodyguards"/"The ? Remainz"/"Now You're Mine"
"Royalty"
"You Know My Steez"/"So Wassup?"
"The Militia"/"You Know My Steez (Three Men And A Lady Remix)"
"1/2 & 1/2"/"Gangsta Bounce"
"Full Clip"/"Dwyck"
"All 4 Tha Ca$h"/"The ? Remainz"
"Discipline"/"Just To Get A Rep"
"Skills"/"Natural"
"Nice Girl, Wrong Place"/"Rite Where U Stand"
"The Ownerz"/"Same Team, No Games"