Gang Starr rapper Guru (born Keith Elam) has died at the age of 43. According to MTV News, the MC underwent surgery following a heart attack just over a month ago. A statement said his death was cancer-related, and that he had been battling the disease for a long time.
Guru’s longtime collaborator and partner Solar mourns his loss in the statement and explains that Guru had written a letter to his fans that was to be released after he passed. ”The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all-time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru,” Solar said. “Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it, but tragically, this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius.”
According to Solar, Guru’s letter began: ”I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world,” it begins. “I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options.”
He went on to talk about his nonprofit, Each One Counts, which works on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children. To read the full letter and find more about the organization, click here.
the saddest part of that letter is the ill will he still feels towards former partner DJ Premier, and that he feels the need to express it in a letter to his friends and fans… I’d hate to leave this world with a grudge like that.