Gangstar is arguably the defining underground hip-hop group. Composed of intricate lyricist MC Guru and eclectic producer DJ Premier, the duo have since introduced a jazz-infused sound like no other. Essentially, Gangster’s arch had him two distinct phases, both of which had endless influence on hip-hop. The first was a bridge between jazz and hip-hop, capturing the complex sounds of New York in a way never seen before. The second is an uncompromising street sound with pure grit built around menacing beats. But it all started with Gang Starr’s debut album. No More Mr. Nice Guy.
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gangster genesis
Gang Starr had been in production for some time before the release of ‘Gang Starr’ No more Mr. Nice Guy. In the mid-1980s, MC Guru was rapping in his hometown of Boston. However, Guru and his three friends broke up after a few recordings. Realizing that the epicenter of hip-hop was just hours south of him, he shifted his focus to the streets of New York.
I got to know DJ Premier through a demo tape and invited him from Houston to Brooklyn. Their first recording was “Words That I Manifest”. From the jump, their sound infused jazz in a way never seen before. The track samples ‘A Night in Tunisia’ by iconic jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. In the years leading up to its golden age, hip-hop existed primarily in the world of disco and funk, with artists such as James Brown being his go-to sample.
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Gang Starr’s debut album brought a unique sound
Additionally, Gang Starr was offering a new form of social commentary. No more Mr. Nice Guy. They were blatantly influenced by contemporary MC hip-hop outfits such as Public Enemy, and were one of the pioneering groups to use that influence to provide commentary in a socio-political manner. The project gained further prominence with the appearance of “Jazz Thing” in Spike Lee’s 1990 film. Mo Better Blues. This placement further boosted the popularity of his rap burgeoning wave of jazz and established Gang his star as a leader in the genre.
No More Mr. Nice Guy It’s certainly not the best album Gang Starr has put out. This may sound like a terrible statement, but they’ll probably be happy to know that they’ll continue to refine their sound over time. Their debut studio album was essentially a playground for honing their sound.
They both grew up with jazz, so it was just a matter of incorporating that into the album’s setting. DJ Premiere’s grandfather was once in his band Jazz. Guru’s godfather, on the other hand, was a jazz lover. as he said, commentator“If I’m with a friend and I need money or something, I’ll pass by his house. He grabbed all his mates and said, ‘Sit down and listen.’ He seated us between two large speakers who were as tall as the man next to us. It will sound like you can hear every instrument. ”
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No More Mr. Nice Guy Lead gangsters to future success
MC Guru and DJ Premier were evenly matched musically. Each connected with a shared vision of hip-hop’s direction, and the two have been compared to the De Niro and Scorsese of cinema.Guru makes this feeling known to all No More Mr. Nice Guysaid.So I wince at the scene you take it / And like the winds of change I’ll break it down‘2 Steps Ahead’. Gang Starr never intended to pardon their rivals, but their philosophical approach made them stand out from the rest. In the album opener, “Premier and the Guru,” Guru states:Knowledge, wisdom and peace are my truth / Behind is the premier and I am a master”
No More Mr. Nice Guy was the starting point for Gang Starr’s more commercially successful future releases. 1991 step into the arena We’ve seen Premier and Guru make great strides. Ultimately, their commercial success would continue into his 1994s. Earning is hard. However, the two have always made it clear that they are not in the game for financial gain. They weren’t interested in the fancy Cadillacs and mansions offered by the big record labels. They were in the business of pioneering new sounds in hip-hop. No more Mr. Nice Guy.
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