Guru in a Coma
Member of Gang Starr suffers Heart Attack
Rap Star Guru suffers from heart attack and slips into coma
According to many different sources, Hip-Hop Wired has acquired information that rapper Guru has fallen into a coma after suffering cardiac arrest.
Details right now remain very slim, but sources have stated that the news was broken by Guru’s sister.
Guru, who is a former member of the rap duo Gang Starr, is considered to be one of the pioneers of Hip-Hop/jazz crossovers. As more details are released, Hip-Hop Wired will continue to bring you all the information regarding the situation.
Our prayers go to Keith “Guru” Elam and his family.
*UPDATE*
DJ Premier, the other half of Gang Starr called up Satelite XM radio station “Hip Hop Nation” and confirmed Guru’s heart attack.
-DJ Premier
Stay tuned to badhabitatmusic.com for up to minute updates regarding Guru.
Our prayers and wishes go out to Guru and his family.
Gang Starr
“You Know My Steez” Music Video featuring rap artist Guru.
Guru, who is a former member of the rap duo Gang Starr, is considered to be one of the pioneers of Hip-Hop/jazz crossovers. As more details are released, Hip-Hop Wired will continue to bring you all the information regarding the situation.
Our prayers go to Keith “Guru” Elam and his family
Born and raised in the Boston area, Guru relocated to Brooklyn in the late ’80s, where Gang Starr released its first singles with 45 King as producer. By 1988, the group evolved as a duo with Premier, and released their 1989 full-length debut No More Mr. Nice Guy on Wild Pitch Records. The duo would go on to release classic albums on Chrysalis/Virgin/EMI, such as 1994’s Hard To Earn and 1998’s Moment Of Truth. Gang Starr’s last album, 2003’s The Ownerz featured Jadakiss, Fat Joe and longtime affiliate Freddie Foxxx. The platinum group toured the world and released several greatest hits collections, most notably Full Clip: A Decade Of Gang Starr in 1999. The duo announced their split in 2004, reportedly due to creative and personal differences.
As a solo artist, Guru released four volumes of Jazzmatazz, Jazz-inspired recordings with legendary genre artists such as Donald Byrd and Roy Ayers. Guru has launched two labels in his career, Ill Kid Records and 7Grand, where he and production partner Solar worked alongside artists such as Talib Kweli, Damian Marley and Jean Grae.
Keith “Guru” Elam, a former member of the rap duo Gang Starr, is in a coma at a New York-area hospital after suffering cardiac arrest on Sunday. He is scheduled to undergo surgery on Monday. Much is uncertain, but HipHopDX reports that his condition is critical.
DJ Premier, the rapper’s former partner in Gang Starr, made a call to satellite radio show Hip How Nation to confirm the news, originally broken by Guru’s sister, Tricia.
Guru is considered one of the preeminent MCs of his era. He released six albums with Premier as Gang Starr, as well as seven as a solo artist, including the Jazzmatazz series. His songs served as a foundation for the jazz-rap sub-genre.
UPDATE: Miss Info confirms these reports with sources close to Guru. The emcee is presently in a New York hospital, awaiting surgery. DJ Eclipse spoke with DJ Premier, who also confirmed this. Premier was going to address the matter on Eclipse’s Sirius Hip Hop Nation show, but later changed his decision.
UPDATE: Solar, Guru’s production partner and co-founder of 7 Grand Records released a statement to HipHopDX through his spokespeople at Yo! Public Relations. The statement is as follows, “Guru is struggling with a serious health issue. We, the whole 7 Grand Records family, appreciate all your love and well wishes. We continue to hold out hope that Guru will make a full recovery from this. We ask that his privacy on this matter will be respected. Again, thank you for all your support through this trying time.”
UPDATE: Spokespeople for Guru and 7 Grand Records told HipHopDX early Tuesday morning that Guru’s surgery yesterday was successful, and the emcee is expected to make a full recovery. More information will be made available today.
UPDATE: Sources have revealed that Guru remains in a coma after the surgery. The coma is reportedly due to controlled medications. Meanwhile, the emcee famous for his raspy voice is presently on a breathing machine. Fans are urged to continue their prayers and good wishes, and you will be updated soon.
UPDATE: Today (March 3), through his Yo-PR platform, Guru released the following statement. There is no indication if the emcee is still using a breathing apperatus: “I am doing fine and I am recovering. I’m weak though. Solar is the only person who has the accurate info on my situation. Any info from anybody else is false. I appreciate your well wishes and all the love.”
UPDATE: This morning (March 5), Solar released a statement reacting the Wednesday posting of a YouTube video testimony from Guru’s nephew Justin. “I have nothing but the deepest love and respect for The Elam family. But I have not stopped anybody from seeing him! Guru’s brother, sister and niece has visited with him and his brother was here for three days. I am in touch with them on a daily basis. Guru’s family dynamic and who he wants to look out for his interests is Guru’s business
and best left to Guru to discuss. I will state that Guru wanted this matter to be kept private to protect his loved ones and fans from this ordeal, and from it becoming a circus, which it is becoming. Guru has made clear he does not want anything to do with certain people from his past, and for them too be making false statements about his health is unacceptable.” The producer continued, “Guru’s well being and need to heal is what I am concerned with,and that Guru’s wishes in this matter be observed.”
