Hip Hop fans alike are mourning, as we loose one of the most respected Hip Hop icons in the game. Guru lost his battle with cancer, and now we must celebrate his life and his contributions to music. The whole Koalition team would like to say thank you Guru, and rest in peace. Condolences go out to his friends and family. If you are unfamiliar with Guru or Gangstarr then I suggest you look up the work, because the library is a reminder of what true hip hop is all about. It was just last week that I used a Guru song (Right where you stand) at the beginning of the Versus episode with Ruthlesskid and AJDougie, which is one of many classic songs by Guru.

I would like to include some quotes from my colleagues A.B Frasier and Carl Daniel, who are also big Guru fans.

A.B Frasier

Its real sad. He wasn’t that old, but when gods caling you I guess its time to go. gangstarr has been an inspiration to my music. one of the first rap groups where I felt the producer played a role just as big as the MC did. guru always had a powerful message in his simplistic flow. I was even inspired so much I actually sample his vocals in a song i made called daily hustle. hip hop will miss you.

Carl Daniel

I too would like to send my condolences to the family of Keith Elam aka Guru. Guru was without a doubt a legend and his work as both a member of Gangstarr and as a solo artist will eternally be appreciated. I always thought of Guru as a humble, wise being and I hope that the youth’s of today will aspire to be like him instead of the generic mixtape rappers who talk about lives they don‘t actually live. On behalf of The Koalition, I would like to thank Guru for his priceless contribution to the hip-hop world and urban culture, May his soul rest in peace.

If you would also like to leave a message to Guru, feel free to do so in the comments.

Guru wrote a letter to all his fans before he passed, so here are some words from the man himself.

R.I.P

I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options.

I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting.

My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody’s feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.

I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do! As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life.