Tag: guru

Over the years some of the most famous rappers have made their name while being linked with a specific producer. Missy and Timberland, Cypress Hill and DJ Muggs, the Wu and RZA to name but a few. All these artists dropped there best rhymes over one producers beats and the collaboration between the lyrics and the track created songs and albums which rose above all their other work.

The fourth of 6 installments as Lady Jay takes you on a journey through New York's music, fashion and culture! Is it really as hot as people say?... decide for yourself featuring:

With a 20 year career and a slew of revered LP’s under his belt, Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal has soldered his honeyed timbre to Hip Hop’s very DNA. While his partnership with Premier still remains the template for rap authenticity, his Jazzmatazz outfit continues to turn up genre bending surprises.

The iconic MC, Jazzmatazz creationist and Gang Starr co-founder Guru has announced the release of his brilliant new solo release, Guru 8.0 Lost and Found. Guru has once again teamed up with NYC’s brightest producer Solar to create his second solo album and what will be their fourth release on their label 7 Grand, which they co-founded in 2004.

Hip Hop Legend Guru is back in the UK with superproducer Solar in November for a series of special gigs at the London Jazz Cafe, Edinburgh Voodoo Rooms and headlining this year's extraordinary Southport Weekender.

"This is art no corporate crap",  Exactly. Guru always rhymes about the truths and its nice to hear something different from all the 50 Cent, Game and other "corporate" rappers that I hear about rhyming about guns, drugs, money which a lot of rappers don't actually know about but know it's going to sell.

In the second of our two part interview with Guru and Solar, Jay Diamond catches up with Solar. Solar describes Jazzmatazz 4 as an artistic statement in an era where people make music for money, rather than the love; and how he dedicated his being completely to creating it. He also talks about the creative intelligence of the ‘State Of Clarity’ video, and the curse of creative vampires.

Guru’s ‘Jazzmatazz Volume 4 The Hip Hop Messenger: Back To The Future’ features Common; Raheem DeVaughn; Caron Wheeler; Slum Village and Bob James to name only a few! And to boot, Guru and Solar claim 7 Grand Records is more than a record label.

Guru is a walking testament to Hiphop’s spirit, culture and timelessness. His journey in the music industry has been one long ride that contains one classic recording after another; from his work with the legendary Gang Starr, to becoming one of the first artists to fuse Hiphop and Jazz. Guru’s legacy and legend will never be forgotten and he plans on furthering that legacy with his 7 Grand label venture.