When I was about 16 I remember going to Fopp and buying every Tribe Called Quest and The Pharcyde album. They were in the £5 section. I even think The Low End Theory and People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm were £3. Probably the best money I’ve ever spent!
I didn’t think you could beat those guys. Then I splashed out £7 on Gang Starr’s Step in the Arena and it absolutely blew me away.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’d been listening to a lot of Jazz around that time and that’s the first thing that hit me with Gang Starr. It was like nothing I’d heard before. Guru’s delivery and DJ Premier’s Swing influences were/are pretty incredible.
Guru had a heart attack this week and is in a coma. He’s only in his mid 40’s. I’ve been listening to alot of them the past couple of days. I forgot how many amazing tracks they have.
Anyone out there who dismisses Hip Hop out of hand has no idea about music in my opinion, and they’ve certainly never given any time to Gang Starr.
For dealing with difficult social issues eloquently and with poise, for incorporating their influences from some of the deepest roots of black American music, and for creating something genuinely original they achieved something truly memorable.
At their best they are more relevant and insightful than anything else I can think of.
Take some time to give them a listen if you haven’t before.
Easy!
RnR
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