So this will be the first edition of my new installment cleverly titled "HiP HoP HumP Day" !!! I have to start with my favorite Hip Hop duo of all time... GANGSTARR. Guru Keith Elam and Curtis Martin aka DJ Premier dropped their first of 6 albums in 1989 Titled "No more Mr. Nice Guy and their last album in 2003 Titled "The Ownerz." I didn't catch on to them until Smokin Grooves 1997 when i witnessed the musically inspiring show of my early life. I was just starting to get real into Hip Hop. When these dudes came out with a smoke filled backdrop as well as arena (The Universal Hollywood amphitheatre) the stench or delightful (whicheveryouprefer) smell of Marijuana laced across the entire crowd, Gurus Raw monotone flow ripping over Premiers amazing distinctive beats, it was love at first listen. They rocked the stage for about an hour, and over the course of that hour, M.O.P. Came out onto the stage with huge water guns (had to have been Super Soaker 500s at least) spraying them as far as the first row behind the pit, myself and the 2 other friends i was with sneaking down to the 3rd row of the lower section, with a swift maneuver right by the not even caring security guard who was more into the show then anything else, Cypress Hill coming out with a 40 foot Buddha behind them throwing joints into the crowd, and me kissing my first girl --- That last part is not true, But it was that good of a show! The lineup also included Canibus coming out standing next to a HUGE Lion, Busta Rhymes and Spliff Star putting on a pants dropping performance. Literally. And Mya's Sexy ass. It was a complete night. Something I'm sure we talked of for the immediate days to come, And still to this date. Gangstarr ignited a fire inside of me that i am now using to gain a true direction with my life. Not only did they turn me on to How Conscious Creative flows and Razor sharp masterful Beats made hip hop the importance that it has become in my life, but they showed me how amazing the joy of Music can make you feel! Unfortunately they departed on poor terms which was pretty heart breaking to me, as well as to their true fans I'm sure. Not recording another album together after 2003. Guru continued to record albums/tracks while premier continued to produce beats. Keith the Guru Elam passed away losing his long time battle to Cancer April 2010 at the young age of 48. Which was somewhat devastating news to me. Despite the way they left each other, I know for a FACT that deep down they still had a lot of love, and respect for each other. As I have recently come to learn "Friends vs. BI" one of their recorded tracks off their 1997 album Moment of Truth, just doesn't work. Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal and his long time friend, and partner will always be a source of inspiration and never forgotten by one Casey Smith. Enjoy.....
Gangstarr- Mass Appeal
Gangstarr- You know my steez
Gangstarr- Royalty
Quote of the day:
"Never Forget You're Part of Something Bigger Then You- Pay Homage To It."
-Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal. 1961-2010
