Gang Starr

Released: January 15, 1991

Songwriter: DJ Premier Guru

Producer: Guru DJ Premier

[Verse]
Presenting you with alternative music
'Cause, yo, the struggle is tough
And we must learn to live through it
Pleasure and pain, pain and pleasure
Gotta maintain a balance to obtain the treasure
Not really preaching or teaching but just reaching
Out to a brother or sister who is keeping the faith
And trying hard to get it straight
The time is crucial so I think we must congregate
Let's have a meeting of the minds
Before we all fall and get left far behind
Finding a way is important
Map out a plan, take a stand, you can work it
The future's all in your hands and
So of yourself, yeah, you should be demanding
We're all responsible for whatever outcome
That's why I speak over beats for my income
Knowledge is key and if you ask what is it, G
It's just a form of my style of street ministry
Street ministry...

Gang Starr is the formidable hip-hop duo of MC Guru and producer DJ Premier.

The group was originally founded by two childhood friends, Big Shug and Guru, in Atlanta; coming up with the logo design and name of the group. Big Shug and Guru got separated when Shug got imprisoned and Guru moved to New York where he met Dj Premier.

While DJ Premier is from Texas and the monotone Guru is from Boston, they came together in Brooklyn, New York, and helped define the sound of East Coast hip-hop in the 1990s with their jazzy production on singles such as “Words I Manifest” and “Jazz Thing,” as well as their harder boom bap singles like “Just to Get a Rep” and “Take it Personal.”

more tracks from the album

Step in the Arena

From the album

Step in the Arena (1991)

Gang Starr popular songs

Street MinistryGang Starr

Gang Starr

Step in the Arena