GURU Tribute Round-Up (Obit Writers Just Out To Get A Rep?)
Posted on April 21, 2010 by Chris Faraone
As expected, GURU obits, tributes, and remembrances are turning up at a much faster pace than were, say, reviews of his last few albums. But it’s not just the knee-jerk nonsense that’s annoying here. It’s the fact that shitheads who either never did care or haven’t cared about GURU in years are writing irresponsible pieces (for the record – I am not in that category).
I’m not saying that everything is trash; Jon Caramanica of the New York Times did an especially thorough job (unfortunately, his editors compromised it with the lamest headline of the year: Guru, Rapper Known for Social Themes, Dies at 47). I also appreciated this DJ Premier fan site’s contribution, NORE’s freestyle, and the latter’s reassurance that dude used to get trashed with GURU.
Mostly, though, it’s a bunch of the same bullshit, with cut-and-paste jobs from Wikipedia, and ignorant posturing by non-heads who couldn’t identify a Premo beat with Shazam. I’m working on a serious feature about everybody’s favorite megalomaniac Solar, but for now I have to agree with what one commenter (Theo) had to say about Slate’s lackadasical farewell (it’s how I feel about most of them in general):
A ridiculous and self-serving elegy riddled with factual errors and adhering to every glossified convention of fake history. Take more time. This is much more serious than a chance insert your commentary.
On that note, until I learn more and conduct at least a few dozen interviews, I’m sticking with this cautious report that will be published in tomorrow’s Boston Phoenix. Like I wrote: For now, the only thing certain is that the rasp-throated Boston rhymer should be remembered for classic efforts that he put forth alongside DJ Premier and other rap royalty.
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8 Responses to “GURU Tribute Round-Up (Obit Writers Just Out To Get A Rep?)”
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so you “also appreciated this DJ Premier fan site’s contribution”… really? those are the Premo dick riding fanboys who constantly either ignored (at best) and even dissed (at worst) Guru ever since he chose to put Gang Starr to an end in 2004.
do your research.
Listen shithead. Don’t tell me to do my research. I’ve interviewed GURU four times. And I’m well aware of the tone over there. But the fact is that more truth regarding this situation (this week) has come from there than anyplace else. Including Premo’s comment, which I would say is pretty damn important.
okay I see your point, my bad. now that I do, I’d remove that last line, but unfortunately I can’t.
anyway, excluding the obviously fake statements and letters of the last month (including yesterdays letter), Guru made it pretty clear in recent (circa 2009) interviews that he did not want to be associated with his ex-DJ anymore.
it’s ironic how after his death people do exactly the opposite, including Guru’s family who chose Premier to issue their press release through.
MTV had one of the worse write-up about Guru had the be the most fact-deprived one I’ve read thus far.
Jon Caramanica had the best one by far.
After reading premo’s statement I’m sure that Solar is lying. How would Guru take that bitter shit to the grave with him? Solar will never get the respect that premo has earned over the years. No matter what he say nobody is gonna buy that wack ass shit they did together. I think premier should find all the olde accapellas that never made their albums and release another gang starr album & give the proceeds to the Elam family. They are obviously closer to premier than they are to Solar. Maybe a movie deal will come about as well. I don’t think we’ll ever get the truth so long as Solar is there fucking the whole tribute up for the fans.
excellent take
the youtube link is astounding
[...] these articles that didnt do any justice (a very special shoutout to Chris Faraone for putting these writers on blast)! If you dont know anything about Guru, let alone hiphop, dont ever in your life fuck with a story [...]
[...] Chris Faraone’s post about the hundreds of know-nothing’s who are writing obituary’s. [...]