R.I.P. Guru

Legendary emcee Guru has passed away today at the age of 43. Gang Starr, which he founded with fellow hip-hop icon DJ Premier, was as groundbreaking and influential a group as you'll find in the genre's storied history. And yet Guru never seemed to get as much credit as he deserved (certainly not by the mainstream). This is truly sad news.

A statement from Guru's business partner, Solar, reads, "The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all --time -- my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru. 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 has also released a letter, written by his pal during his hospital stay, in which he acknowledges he is not going to recover from the condition.

It reads, "I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. 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 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."

Here are two of my favorite Gang Starr tracks; the classic "Mass Appeal" and the underrated "Discipline".