Released: June 6, 1989

Songwriter: DJ Premier Guru

Producer: Guru DJ Premier

[Guru]
Chumps tryin me
But when they eyein me, I build in skills
And to enhance my chances, I'm thrilled
To be involved with solvin all the problems
With the way that the sound has gone down
So I frown at the scene where you be takin it
And like the winds of change, I'll be breakin it up
Shakin it up, clearing it out, airing it out
And bearing the clout on my chest
Like a crest that rests on a tidal wave
Only the good I'll save when I plunge
And engulf the ones who aren't sons
Who converse with us should make friends
Yo, I recommend that you get back there
And sit back there, contemplate, calculate
And concentrate on these rhymes
That I picked to stick to your mind
And then I'll raise you straight to the next phase
'Cause I will amaze with much force
And like the power that comes from the source
Which is greater and stronger, of course
If you didn't know, I will tell you
That all the blind no-minds I give Hell to
And if you comprehend what is said
Then you'll be stayin two steps ahead

[Chorus]
One, two, steps ahead
One, two, steps ahead
One, two
One, two
One, one, two
One, one, two
One, one, one, one, one
One, two, two

[Guru]
I can't work with, those jerks who front
With the mic, cause I never liked fabrications
Wack creations that lack authenticity
For some time in my mind I've been wishin the
Fiends who do would just yield
And at the foot of my bed, I have kneeled
Thus revealed as a gift I have nurtured
And I hurt ya if you're not knowin
That the musical need is now growin
And like a man obsessed, I must
Go all out, show all out, blow all out
Throw all out, get on out of my path
Cause I laugh at the ones with no gas
I surpass the class to get geesed
Like the way the ballistic's released
And I won't cease til I cap them
Or slap the saps with my rappin
Continue on with my journey
All the negative ones don't concern me
My eyes are wise, I got cause to live
Positive, have to give, every way
Every day of my life, so I fight for the right
And get hype, so heed what I feed
And get fed, then you'll be livin two steps ahead

[Chorus]
One, two, steps ahead
One, two, steps ahead
One, two
One, two
One, one, two
One, one, two
One, one, one, one, one
One, two, two

[Guru]
I'm way ahead of you, yes I'm on top
It's me instead of you, with the lyrics you fear it
So get near it, and then you'll hear it clear
And concise, cause I paid the price to be
Talking here, rocking there, shocking here
Stop and stare, then compare if you wish
Because the others fess, I insist
So I will assist you to blend with this
Bend with this, tend with this, fend with this
As I ascend with my orals
You define and defy with high morals
And at the spot I will stop to throw darts
At the ones who proclaim with no aim
Cause they don't hold the fame, they're on mine
And since I'm well inclined and divine
I will have to ask you to come in
Move along with the tongue and the drummin
Progress and let the blessings be read
And you'll be staying two steps ahead

[Chorus]
One, two, steps ahead
One, two, steps ahead
One, two
One, two
One, one, two
One, one, two
One, one, one, one, one
One, two, two

Gang Starr

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.”