RAPPER GURU DIES AT 43

Guru, whose real name is Keith Elam, the influential rapper who combined jazz sounds with hip-hop beats, died Monday, April 19, 2010 at age 43 after battling cancer.
the rapper was known for his intellectual themes, his monotone delivery and his combination of jazz sounds with hip-hop beats.

The world has lost "one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all time," according to a statement from Solar, Guru's producer. It was posted on the official fan website of DJ Premier, who with Guru made up the rap duo Gang Starr. The statement said Guru died Monday.

The statement also features a letter Guru wrote before his death. In it, he thanks Solar for his friendship, speaks about his son KC and his nonprofit cancer organization, Each One Counts.

He also dismissed his relationship with Premier, saying, "I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name."

"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," it read.

Hip-hop artists from both coasts mourned Guru's death and noted that he would forever be linked to Premier.

"I think Guru, I think Gang Starr and all of the dope things they did," rapper The Game said in an interview Tuesday in Los Angeles. "He really did amazing things ... And him passing, man, it's just crazy. I just wish him peace on his way, on his journey to God, man. Hip-hop lost another legend."

"From Allah we come to Allah we return. R.I.P. Keith GURU," rapper Q-Tip posted on Twitter. "A great man, poet, and I'm proud to say friend... 23 yrs. Damn!"

Guru, whose real name was Keith Elam, was born near Boston and later moved to New York. His first album as a member of Gang Starr, "No More Mr. Nice Guy," was released in 1989. They released five more albums as a duo, including the gold-selling "Moment of Truth" in 1998.

The group's first hit was "Words I Manifest," which samples Miles Davis and Charlie Parker's "A Night In Tunisia." Other hits include "Dwyck," "Just to Get a Rep" and "Take It Personal."