On April 19th, 2010, we lost a timeless poet, record executive, Morehouse College alumni, producer, MC, Hip Hop Icon, actor and one of the founding members of The Gang Starr Foundation-The GURU (Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal, Keith Edward Elam). Though he was from Roxbury, GURU represented Brooklyn to the fullest! He started rhyming in his teens, but got serious about it in NYC (he moved there shortly after college). His first MC name was Keithy E; but while studying The 120 Lessons of The Nation Of Gods & Earths (Allah's 5% Nation aka Allah's Five Percenters), he changed his name to GURU. He formed Gang Starr, with DJ Premier in 1987, and they released three singles on Wild Pitch Records-all of which were produced by DJ Mark The 45 King (Queen Latifah’s primary producer on her debut LP). In 1989 they released No More Mr. Nice Guy, which was produced by 45 King & DJ Premier, and featues hits like: DJ Premier In Deep Concentration, Words I Manifest, Positivity, Jazz Music, and Knowledge.
Known for his laid-back style of flow, GURU went on to do side projects like Jazzmatazz Vol. 1-3, Baldhead Slick & Da Click, and Jazz Thing for the Mo’ Betta Blues soundtrack. He also started Ill Kid Records to showcase other artists from The Gang Starr Foundation. The label released a few samplers featuring songs from Big Shug, Group Home, Bahamadia, and Jeru The Damaja. He was also the primary producer for the French rapper MC Solaar. GURU appeared in a few films and TV shows during the 90's and early 2000's (NYPD Blue, Who’s The Man?, 3 A.M., and Train Ride). The GURU was 48 when he passed away.
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On April 19th, 1944, seminal Funk musician, Moog synthesizer pioneer, New Wave innovator, Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame inductee, classically trained pianist, musical prodigy, composer, producer, sideman, arranger, bandleader, solo recording artist, former member of The Talking Heads, and longtime member of Parliament Funkadelic-Bernie Worrell (George Bernard Worrell Jr-2nd l, below-r) was born in Long Branch, New Jersey. Bernie is most known for his P-Funk compositions and keyboard play. He started learning piano when at the early age of three, and wrote his first concerto at eight. He played all through high school, enrolled at Julliard, and graduated from The New England Conservatory of Music (1967). He was the keyboardist for The Tavares (Chubby & The Turnpikes), and often jammed with members of other local bands.
Worrell notes that during this time the vocal groups would have strict arrangements for the band; thus improvising and even re-working some transitions was frowned upon. He credits meeting George Clinton, and joining Funkadelic in 1970, as the first time he was able to create the way he wanted to. As a result, we got to hear his musical talents in songs he produced for The Brides Of Funkenstein, Parlet, Bootsy’s Rubber Band, Funkadelic, Parliament, Eddie Hazel, Fuzzy Haskins, and The Horny Horns. In the 80's, after P-Funk dissolved, Bernie started working with New Wave bands like The Tom Tom Club, Talking Heads, and Praxis. The award-winning Bernie Worrell was 72 when he passed away.
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On April 19th, 1942, one of the best sound engineers of the late 1960's blues/psychedelic rock era-Edward Kramer (Edwin H. Kramer-l) was born in Cape Town, South Africa. If you like Jimi Hendrix’s music, Kramer is the man that mixed most of it. Some of his works include: The Cry Of Love, Axis-Bold As Love, Band Of Gypsys, Are You Experienced, and Electric Ladyland. He also did production and mixing for Led Zeppelin, KISS, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles LPs. Kramer started playing piano at the age of four. As a teen he became an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa, and as a result, he heard a lot of African and American soul music that he would not have heard otherwise due to harsh censorship. This influenced his later playing, and he began to dabble in jazz & rock.
Kramer's first industry break came at Advision and Pye Studios, where he worked as a recording engineer and producer. He was the first to run a four-track studio when it was introduced in the UK. He’s the man that recorded and mixed the infamous Woodstock Festival, making it into an LP. He also mixed a few of The Beatles hits on their Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album. During the 1970's, he worked with Peter Frampton, Ace Frehley, Curtis Mayfield, KISS, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. In the 1980's, he collaborated with Buddy Guy, Anthrax, Whitesnake, Steve Vai, and Pretty Maids. In the 1990's, he showcased his versatility, working with acts like The Cure, Living Colour, Spin Doctors, Pat Metheny, Jeff Beck, and Nigel Kennedy. He’s 77 today.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On April 19th, 1936, Memphis Soul innovator (Stax), singer, and songwriter-Ruby Johnson was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Johnson grew up in the coastal area of NC, raised in the Jewish faith. She started singing with her siblings in the choir at Temple Beth-El. She got into secular music (mostly R&B) as a teen, and soon joined Samuel Lathan & The Rhythm Makers. In the late 1950s she moved to Washington D.C., and while there she sang with Ambrose And The Showstoppers. She befriended Al Bell, who was a DJ working for Stax, and in 1965 he added her to the roster. Johnson recorded several sides for the imprint during the late 1960's. She was 63 when she passed away.
On April 19th, 1965, controversial west coast personality, record producer, label owner, former football player, and affiliate of The Piru Blood Set-Suge Knight (Marion Hugh Knight Jr) was born in Compton, California. Most people know him for the Vanilla Ice story, reminiscent of what 'Big Red' did to a singer in the film The Five Heartbeats.
"My office hours are from?!"
Allegedly Suge did the same thing to Ice, and had Eazy E beat down also. He’s also the subject of conspiracies related to Tupac’s murder. With all that said, I can’t front on the music his label released during the 90's. It’s definitely dope! He’s 54 today.
"My office hours are from?!"
Allegedly Suge did the same thing to Ice, and had Eazy E beat down also. He’s also the subject of conspiracies related to Tupac’s murder. With all that said, I can’t front on the music his label released during the 90's. It’s definitely dope! He’s 54 today.
On April 19th, 1980, the country charts set a benchmark and precedent for female artists in the genre. It was the first time that all of the Top 5 songs came from female singers (#5 Tammy Wynette, #4 Emmylou Harris, #3 Debbie Boone, #2 Dottie West, and #1 Crystal Gale). And on April 19th, 1986, Prince achieved the rare feat of holding both the #1 & #2 slots on The U.S. Pop Chart at the same time (one of which, was sung by someone else). At #1 was his classic rock/funk-fused Kiss; which stayed at #1 for two weeks. At #2 was Manic Monday, which he had penned for The Bangles.
On April 19th, 1994, one of the best hip hop LPs to come out of the 1990's-an album that continues to influence artists from all genres-Illmatic by Nas dropped. Illmatic received the much-coveted Five Mics rating from The Source Magazine, and raised the bar for all artists that would come out after. The majority of the production came from DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor, and Q-Tip-and was on of the first hip albums to feature production from more than one producer (in this case a quartet of the very best in the game at that time). It’s an LP you can put on right now, and play all the way through. The album is revered as a landmark in hip hop lyricism, and introduced the emcee AZ to the world (the only guest MC on the LP, which was rare at a time when many emcees were doing verses on other artist’s songs).
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