Gang Starr was an iconic American jazz rap duo, active from 1987 to 2019. The group was composed of the late MC Guru and DJ Premier. Their music was characterized by Guru’s smooth, insightful lyrics and Premier’s hard-hitting production style. They are widely credited with helping to define the sound of East Coast hip hop in the 1990s. Gang Starr released six albums during their career, including the seminal classic Step In The Arena (1991), Daily Operation (1992), and Moment of Truth (1998). The duo was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
| Name | Gang Starr |
| Genre | East Coast Hip Hop |
| Years Active | 1987-2010 |
| Members | Guru (born Keith Edward Elam, July 17, 1961 – April 19, 2010) DJ Premier (born Christopher Edward Martin, March 21, 1966) |
10 Best Gang Starr Quotes
“You can’t stop yourself from growing and learning and trying new things.”
– Guru, from YouTube
“No matter what the situation, you must keep your composure and stay focused on the task at hand.”
– Guru, from YouTube
“The more you keep your cool and focus on the positive, the more positive results you will get.”
– Guru, from YouTube
“You can’t be scared to take chances and put yourself out there.”
– DJ Premier, from YouTube
“Life is too short to be living someone else’s dream.”
– Guru, from YouTube
“The only thing that’s going to give you true satisfaction is looking within yourself to find out what you really want to do.”
– Guru, from YouTube
“You have to be focused and determined to reach any goals you set.”
– DJ Premier, from YouTube
“I think it’s important to have an open mind and be able to accept different styles and ways of doing things.”
– DJ Premier, from YouTube
“Successful people are the ones who never give up, no matter how hard things get.”
– Guru, from YouTube
“You must have faith in yourself and never be afraid to take risks.”
– Guru, from YouTube
5 Inspirational Gang Starr Quotes
“The one thing I always tried to be was a positive influence in hip-hop.”
– Guru from Billboard
“The thing that has kept us going is respect for each other, respect for the music, respect for the culture.”
– DJ Premier from Okayplayer
“We’re all part of the same thing, we’re all hip-hop. We’re all connected, and we all have something to bring to the table.”
– Guru from MTV
“The message is to stay true to yourself, respect yourself, and respect the culture.”
– Guru from Vice
“We started out as friends, and it stayed that way for the 25 years [we] were together.”
– DJ Premier from Rolling Stone
5 Famous Gang Starr Quotes
“I think that the greatest thing that I ever did was that I kept it real and I kept it true to what I was trying to do, which was make hip-hop music.”
– Guru, from Complex
“It was a great opportunity to just get on the mic and talk about real life issues that I was seeing.”
– Guru, from Vice
“I think that’s why we have such a good fan base and why our music has gone on for so long, because it’s more than just music, it’s a lifestyle.”
– DJ Premier, from The Boombox
“I think that’s why our music has such a strong staying power, because it’s not just music to dance to, it’s music for people to relate to.”
– DJ Premier, from Vice
“I think our most important thing is that we remain true to ourselves and true to our music.”
– Guru, from The Fader
6 Gang Starr Quotes About Love
“Love is not something that you can fake. You either have it or you don’t.”
– Guru, from YouTube
“Love is the only way. You know, it’s the only thing that’s going to heal this planet.”
– Guru, from YouTube
“Love is the key, without love it would be a world of hatred and destruction.”
– DJ Premier, from Facebook
“Love is the power that can make all the difference in the world.”
– Guru, from YouTube
“Love is the ultimate power. If you don’t have it, it’s hard to survive.”
– Guru, from YouTube
“Love is the only way. If you don’t have love, you don’t have nothing.”
– DJ Premier, from YouTube
6 Gang Starr Quotes About Life
“Life is a beautiful thing and it should be embraced regardless of the difficulties.”
– Guru, from The Guardian
“Life is an educational process. You learn from your mistakes and you learn from your successes.”
– Guru, from The Guardian
“Life is a learning experience and you learn from your mistakes and you learn from your successes.”
– Guru, from BBC Music
“Music was my way of expressing all the struggles, pains and triumphs in life.”
– Guru, from BBC Music
“You have to have a positive outlook on life and you have to have good vibes.”
– DJ Premier, from The Guardian
“Life is a beautiful thing, and you can make it even more beautiful.”
– DJ Premier, from The Guardian
7 Quotes About Gang Starr
“Gang Starr are an example of a hip hop duo that defined the sound of an entire generation.”
– Alex Chapman, from udiscovermusic.com
“Gang Starr have always been the ultimate purveyors of hip-hop.”
– Guy Hornsby, from independent.co.uk
“Gang Starr were one of the most important and influential hip hop groups of all time.”
– Jon O’Brien, from allmusic.com
“Gang Starr’s sound was a combination of jazz, hip-hop, and funk, and their rhymes were always thought-provoking and socially conscious.”
– Nash Jenkins, from time.com
“Gang Starr’s influence on the hip-hop landscape has been monumental.”
– Chris DeVille, from stereogum.com
“Gang Starr has been the gold standard for lyrical excellence and musical production in hip-hop.”
– John Kennedy, from rollingstone.com
“Gang Starr is one of the most important and influential rap groups of all time.”
– Matt Barone, from complex.com
Interview with Gang Starr
Frequently Asked Questions About Gang Starr
1. What are some of the most famous Gang Starr quotes?
Gang Starr is a hip-hop duo consisting of the late Guru and DJ Premier, who have been one of the most influential acts in the genre since their formation in 1987. Throughout their career, the duo has released timeless classics such as Moment of Truth, Code of the Streets, and The Militia, and have inspired generations of hip-hop artists. Their music is full of inspiring and thought-provoking lyrics, which have become some of the most famous quotes in hip-hop. Here are some of the most memorable Gang Starr quotes:
- “It’s time to get down to the essence and the realness.” – Moment of Truth
- “My name’s Guru, I’m the one and only.” – Code of the Streets
- “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.” – The Militia
- “No matter how hard it gets, keep your head up and face it.” – The Militia
- “This is not a game, this is reality.” – The Militia
- “Actions speak louder than words, so watch what I do.” – Full Clip
- “You gotta live life, don’t let life live you.” – Full Clip
- “My life is a movie that can’t be stopped.” – Full Clip
- “Life is a mystery, nobody knows that better than me.” – Full Clip
- “The future is in your hands, so take it and make it yours.” – Work
2. What was the Inspiration Behind the Gang Starr Lyrics?
Gang Starr’s lyrics were heavily influenced by the everyday experiences of people living in Brooklyn, New York, where the group originated. The group’s lyrical content drew from a wide range of topics, including:
- Real life struggles and injustices of inner city life
- Political and social issues
- Philosophy and spirituality
- Themes of empowerment and resilience
Gang Starr’s lyrics also paid homage to the rich culture of hip-hop, drawing on the music of classic hip-hop artists, such as KRS-One and LL Cool J, as well as the work of contemporary artists, such as Jay-Z and Nas. The group’s lyrics often featured quotable lines and clever wordplay, making them some of the most memorable in hip-hop.
3. What is the significance of the Gang Starr Name?
The name “Gang Starr” was a combination of the two members’ nicknames: Guru’s “Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal” and DJ Premier’s “Gangster of Love.” The name itself is a reference to the group’s hip-hop roots and their commitment to quality music.
The name “Gang Starr” also alludes to the group’s two distinct styles of music. Guru’s jazz-influenced rhymes blended with Premier’s hard-hitting beats created an innovative sound that was unique to the group.
The name “Gang Starr” also symbolizes their commitment to staying true to hip-hop culture and the importance of maintaining their individual identities within the group. The two members of the group have always been proud of their individual contributions to the group and have always strived to stay true to their individual styles.
The name “Gang Starr” is also a reference to the group’s commitment to their fans. The members of the group have always emphasized the importance of staying true to their fans and providing them with quality music.
Finally, the name “Gang Starr” is a reference to the group’s commitment to continuing to push the boundaries of hip-hop music and to never settle for anything less than the best. The members of the group have always strived to remain true to their roots and to continue to create innovative and groundbreaking music.
- Guru’s “Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal” and DJ Premier’s “Gangster of Love”
- Referencing the group’s hip-hop roots and commitment to quality music
- Alludes to the group’s two distinct styles of music
- Symbolizes commitment to staying true to hip-hop culture and maintaining individual identities
- Reference to the group’s commitment to their fans
- Commitment to continuing to push the boundaries of hip-hop music
4. How has the Gang Starr discography shaped hip-hop?
Gang Starr, a duo consisting of the late Guru and DJ Premier, have been instrumental in shaping the sound of hip-hop music over the past three decades. Their discography is a testament to their creative genius and their ability to consistently evolve and create music that resonates with hip-hop fans all over the world. Here are some ways in which Gang Starr’s discography has shaped hip-hop:
- Gang Starr has pushed boundaries and explored new sounds, with their early works introducing elements of jazz and soul, and later works incorporating elements of funk, reggae, and even rock. This has allowed them to create a sound that is unique to them, but still resonates with a wide range of hip-hop fans.
- Gang Starr has been known for their lyrical content, with Guru’s thought-provoking lyrics and DJ Premier’s intricate production work creating an atmosphere that is both lyrically and musically stimulating.
- Gang Starr has been credited with helping to bring East Coast hip-hop to the mainstream, with their hard-hitting beats and politically charged lyrics resonating with hip-hop fans across the US.
- Gang Starr has been a major influence on many hip-hop artists, with their innovative sound and unique approach to production setting a blueprint for a new generation of hip-hop producers.
Gang Starr’s discography has left an indelible mark on the sound of hip-hop music, and their influence can still be heard today in the works of many popular hip-hop artists.
5. What are some of the most iconic Gang Starr songs?
Gang Starr was an influential American hip-hop duo that had a profound impact on the genre. The duo was composed of the late rapper Guru and DJ Premier, and they released a number of classic songs throughout their career. Here are some of the most iconic Gang Starr songs:
- Mass Appeal
- Take It Personal
- DWYCK
- Just to Get a Rep
- Full Clip
- Above the Clouds
- Code of the Streets
- The Militia
- You Know My Steez
- Incident
These songs all have a unique style and sound that captures the essence of the Gang Starr experience. They are considered to be some of the most influential and iconic hip-hop songs of all time.
Conclusion
Gang Starr has been an influential and iconic hip-hop group since the late 1980s. Their legacy lives through their music, their words, and their quotes. They have provided many memorable quotes that have inspired and motivated people across the world. Their words will continue to live on and be remembered for generations to come.
