Thaindian News

Apr 20 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Rapper Guru has died at the age of 43 due to a long fight with cancer. In a farewell letter which he wrote in the hospital, he has expressed his desire to cut his former partner and collaborator, DJ Premier from his life, even after death. The letter can be read in full below.

According to reports, the Gang Starr rapper known to the world as ‘Guru’ has died at the age of 43, after a battle with cancer. MTV.com has announced that the MC, whose real name is Keith Elam passed away from cancer related causes on Monday after a long battle with the disease. It was reported on March 1st, that the rap star had been hospitalized after a heart attack, and was due to have surgery that day. He was in a coma at that time. The news was then confirmed by his partner, “DJ Premier.” He was said to have recovered from the heart attack after surgery.

Solar, who is a producer and friend of Guru, released the following statement after the death was confirmed, “The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all-time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru,” he 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.”

Solar also claims to have a letter written by the rap star which was to be released at the time of his death. In the letter, Guru is said to have talked about his non profit organization, “Each One Counts” and stated that he does not wish for his partner and Gang Starr collaborator, DJ Premier, to have anything at all to do with the tributes or events surrounding his death. He does not even want Premier to be able to participate in these events. Here is the farewell letter from Guru:

“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.”

“I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting.

My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody’s feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf [of] myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.

I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events, tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this,” wrote Guru. “I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ.

As the sole founder of Gang Starr, I am very proud of what Gang Starr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with Gang Starr or Jazzmatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now.

The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do! As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small-mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life.”

Here is a video of Guru and Solar during better days. Rest in Peace, Keith Elam, our prayers are with your family.