[[  May 3, 2010  ]]

What's Upper? 

Last Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Mayweather continued to stake his claim among boxing's all-time greats, scoring a lopsided unanimous decision over Mosley (46-6, 39 knockouts) to improve his unbeaten record to 41-0, with 25 knockouts. Mayweather out-landed Mosley 208 to 92 in puncvhes, 85 to 46 in jabs & 123 to 46 in power punches. Props to the legendary O'Jays who sang "For The Love Of Money" in the ring as Mayweather made his grand entrance!...

My friend & brother in Music/DJ, Hideo (see photo above) passed away last week on April 24th from cancer. To everyone who lives in Southern Cali, the Memorial Service for DJ Hideo will be held at IKEDA World Peace Auditorium at 525 Wilshire Blvd. (Los Angeles) this Saturday May 8th at 4PM...

Props to artist, Dynasty & DJ Sandman who blessed last weeks' RAP ATTACK DJ CONFERENCE CALL. Her new single, "Magnificent" is about to make some noise & if you'd like to get laced or get a personal drop from Dynasty, hit her up with your info at: bookdynasty@gmail.com ...

HERE'S A RECAP FROM LAST ISSUE'S NEWS ON THE LATE GURU:

Guru "Keith Elam" of Gang Starr has unfortunately passed on April 19th due to cancer. According to Solar, Guru was fighting with the sickness for over a year and after many special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed, the legendary rapper succumbed to the disease. Guru always tried to keep the diagnosis in private but in early 2010 he had to admit himself to hospital due to serious effects caused by the disease. Guru founded Gang Starr in 1987, and built a sizable following in the early 1990s, along with The Legendary DJ Premier releasing classic  albums such as Step in the Arena (1991) and Daily Operation (1992).

In 1993, he released his first solo album, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1. The album featured collaborations with Donald Byrd, N'Dea Davenport & Roy Ayers, while his second LP, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality, featured Ramsey Lewis, Branford Marsalis & Jamiroquai.

His "first proper solo album", in his own words, was Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures (2005), released with the help of producer and new backup MC Solar (who is not to be confused with MC Solaar from France). The album reached #1 on the college Hip-Hop charts, & managed to sell relatively well for an independent release.

Guru's latest project is the fourth installment in the Jazzmatazz series, entirely produced by Solar. It was released in early June 2007. May 19, 2008 Guru and Solar released Guru 8.0:

On February 28 2010 Guru suffered a cardiac arrest and, following surgery days later, fell into a coma. He woke from the coma but died on April 19, 2010 after a long battle with cancer.
 

GURU's FINAL LETTER

In the letter, seen below, the rapper explains his illness, expresses gratitude to supporters and offers some parting words for DJ Premiere.

"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 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 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. 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 GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr 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 GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz 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."

OFFICIAL FAMILY STATEMENT

The Elam family wishes to thank the fans of our son/brother/father uncle/nephew/cousin Keith aka GURU for the outpouring of love, concern and support.

Our hearts are broken by the loss of someone we loved so much. GURU was devoted to his young son, who will most keenly feel his absence.

GURU suffered from multiple myeloma for over a year. Accrued complications from this illness led to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. As a result, GURU was in a coma from mid February until his death and never regained consciousness. Early on the morning of April 19^th, he became hypertensive due to low blood pressure. He again went into cardiac arrest and slipped away from us.

GURU died far too young but he was, and we are, proud of all his many legendary musical contributions.

The family is not aware of any foundations established by GURU. We know and understand that countless fans want to express their condolences and love and, to that end, we are planning a memorial event in the near future that will be all-inclusive. Please look for further details from the family as they become available.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM DJ PREMIER

IT WAS A SAD DAY FOR ME TO GET CONFIRMATION ON THE DEATH OF A MAN WHO I WILL CONTINUE TO CALL MY BROTHER, KEITH ELAM, BETTER KNOWN AS GURU OF THE LEGENDARY GANG STARR.

FROM 1988-2004, WE EXPERIENCED SO MUCH SUCCESS TOGETHER THAT WE WERE ABLE TO EXPAND OUR BUSINESSES INDEPENDENTLY AND GIVE EACH OTHER WHAT GURU CALLED “CREATIVE SPACE”, BEFORE PLANNING TO REUNITE FOR OUR 7TH LP WHEN THE TIME WAS RIGHT. TRAGICALLY, WE WILL NEVER REACH THAT DAY.

 I’VE BEEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON A LETTER SPEAKING ILL OF ME WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY WRITTEN BY GURU IN HIS DYING DAYS. ALL I WILL SAY ABOUT IT IS THAT OUR TIME TOGETHER WAS BEAUTIFUL, WE BUILT A HIP HOP LEGACY TOGETHER, AND NO ONE CAN RE-WRITE HISTORY OR TAKE AWAY MY LOVE FOR HIM. ONE THING I WOULD NEVER DO IS PLAY AROUND WITH THE TRUTH ABOUT HIS LIFE.

 I WILL CELEBRATE GURU’S LIFE… I WILL HONOR HIS MEMORY… I WILL GRIEVE WITH THE ELAM FAMILY OVER HIS UNTIMELY DEATH… I WILL REMEMBER THE GANG STARR FOUNDATION AND ALL OF THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF GANG STARR WHO CAME BEFORE ME – WE ALL KNOW EACH OTHER… MOSTLY, I WILL CHERISH EVERYTHING WE CREATED TOGETHER AS GANG STARR, FOREVER. I’M GONNA MISS HEARING HIS SIGNATURE MONOTONE VOICE WHEN HE WALKS IN THE ROOM, BUT THE SONGS WILL ALWAYS BRING IT BACK TO ME….HIS RHYME FLOWS WERE INSANE, AND I WILL NEVER REMOVE HIM FROM MY HEART AND SOUL…….REST IN PEACE TO THE MAN WHO FELT “SATISFACTION FROM THE STREET CROWD REACTION” … I LOVE YOU GOO……. DJ PREMIER

SOLAR'S OFFICIAL STATEMENT

 “I mean, it’s ridiculous,” he said. “Guru knew this time would come. The great artist he is, us being intelligent people, we knew there was going to have to be a statement relating to this. Unfortunately, there are those who have the wicked agenda, and just can’t accept that Guru and I have handled this thing as men and not children, and this is how men of honor handle their business. He arranged his press release. I’m the repository of Guru’s life story. I recorded his life story for book and for movies. We’re not foolish. He was diagnosed with cancer well over a year ago. It’s been operations and so forth. It would be ridiculous for him to not be prepared"...

DJ Frresh formerly of Portland's KPSU & now reppin' his hometown of Chicago has good news! Frresh is back on the radio & this time it's on the internet. You can peep Frresh out on www.YouHottRadio.com everyday from 6pm-8pm (est) & replays of his show at 1am - 3am (est). The "FRESH CONNECTION" is BACK!...
 

Public Enemy have begun preparations for their new album, which is set to include special guest performances by Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave), Rise Against and Z-Trip. The band also announces its plan to enter the studio sooner than expected, as they establish a new fan funding goal via SellaBand.com in order to speed up the recording process. Public Enemy are the first major act to utilize the fan funding concept, reflecting their dedication to seeking out alternatives to the major label system and the traditional record company structure particularly through the use of technology. PE were one of the first to release an album on an artist-owned label, to release an album in MP3 format, to collaborate directly with fans via the Internet, and co-founder Chuck D is a heralded pioneer in digital music and ownership rights. “This project, as it sits, is a success and is one of the largest budgets ever raised by fan funding,” says Chuck D. “We have learned that the fan funding model is still not fully developed and, as a result, a $250,000 fund raising effort, while possible, will take too long to accomplish.” The group decided to realign their fund raising target to $75,000, determining that the figure is one that the existing SellaBand model, as well as the current economic climate, can better support. The group had originally sought a higher budget in order to record an album to allow for guest collaborators on every song and acknowledge that being the first to explore a new model such as this would require adaptation along the way. As of today, PE has amassed 75% of the revised goal, and will close funding as soon as it reaches 100%. “This is our history and will always be our legacy as pioneers in the music business and we are unapologetic for our unyielding advocacy for models that promote artist control and self sufficiency,” Chuck D adds. “We will continue to be bold and fearless and try new things that test old models.” For further information and details on the investment platforms, please go to Public Enemy’s profile page on www.SellaBand.com ...

 
Here is an excellent article giving props to Ricky Leigh.He is the man who started the DJ CONF CALLs & gave Mixshow DJ's their recognition.Ricky passed his legacy to me at HITS Magazine back in 1997 so I could do the same with College Radio DJ's.13 years later my RAP ATTACK DJ's have kept that legacy alive. THANK YOU RICKY (R.I.P.):  http://newsroom.mtv.com/tag/ricky-mensh/ ...

Attention RapAttack Fam from Kevin Sakoda: "For the last couple years I've been working closely with a company called Fileblaze (www.fileblaze.net). We offer a fast and flexible solution you can use to manage and send out music, video, and any other large digital files. In addition, Fileblaze also allows you to view/listen to your files right within your browser - over 40 file formats are encoded automatically as soon as you upload, so you can listen to music, watch video, as well as view documents (MS Word/Excel/Powerpoint, pdf, etc.) instantly without having to download anything.

If you get the chance, please log on to Fileblaze.net and check it out for yourself. You can click "Register Now" in the upper right corner of the home page and start testing it out. If you like it, just hit me with an email and I can increase your account storage...just let me know: kevinsakoda@gmail.com "...
 

Lupe Fiasco and B.o.B are on tour together on the “Steppin Lazer Tour” below are the tour dates.

Wednesday 5/05 - Regency Ballroom - San Francisco, CA - (w/B.o.B)

Friday 5/07- Showbox SoDo - Seattle, WA - (w/B.o.B)

Saturday 5/08 - Roseland Theater - Portland, OR - (w/B.o.B)

Rap Attack takes a "WHAT'S UPPER" look this week with:

Jeffrey Oakes (WMHB-ME): "Id like to take a moment and introduce my replacement as Urban Music Director at WMHB. His name is Malcolm Kerr and he is going to be a sophomore next year. Really into Hip-Hop and excited to take over for me, I will be training him over the next few weeks so make him feel excited about the new job!"...

Chill Will (WCBN-MI): "What a week huh? First the death of Hip Hop Legend Guru, then the death of DJ Hideo. Who was one of my Bumsquad DJ Brothers, who also passed away from cancer. Two people who defintely affected us in one way or another in the culture we call Hip Hop. The only bright spot from this weekend was rocking the stage with Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek who are some really good people (Reflection Eternal).They put on a show that people are still talking about and felt it was well worth the wait. Shout to my dude Steve for keeping things moving and the show on point. For more information about me DJ Chill Will go to www.myspace.com/djchillwill734 or www.twitter.com/chillwill734 "...

DJ Luicidal (KSJS-San Jose): "Thanks to everyone who hit me up this week. My wife and I brought our baby boy (see photo above) into this world on April 25th, so I've been busy on daddy duty, thank you for all the congrats, we appreciate it. He will be a music monster like his father. Now it's back to business. As lives enter this world, others leave it. Rest In Peace and much respect to Guru from Gangstarr, it is a sore loss for Hip Hop. I will forever stay wanting another Gangstarr release. Things are rainy here in the Bay Area, I am ready for summer tours and shows! Our local college band extravaganza Westfest hits West Valley College this weekend featuring some of San Jose's dopest groups and rappers including Thunderhut, Doujah Lounge, Lucky Lucianni, Counter Productive, Vida Killz, and Jonah Timeless. The much anticipated Massacre of the Bay goes down this weekend as well in Oakland featuring Grindtime battles of emcees, producers, and DJs, also featuring Thesaurus vs Dirtbag Dan, Ghambit vs Pariah, and guest appearances from Freeway and Slaughterhouse. Murs and 9th Wonder will also be in the Bay Area with a San Francisco show this Thursday. So we stay busy out here. That's my update"...

DJ Sage (CFRO-Vancouver, BC): "We had a packed show tonight with some of the cats from the Vantastic events rolling through. They got Vantastic Vol. 2 poppin this Friday at the Chapel Arts (304 Dunlevy St.).
Join the Facebook event page at:
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=113677881983333
They got the full list of performers and all the details you need. I am excited to been there as well repping the URP.

The podcast is up and you can peep that at: www.urpradio.podomatic.com
Also hit us up on the Facebook group! Search: The Urban Renewal Project 102.7 FM"...
 

DJ Kazzeo (KHDC-CA): "Even though it's been a week since the passing of Guru, the Hip Hop world is still talking. Sadly though, it seems it's more about the conduct of Solar and less about the greatness of Guru. I'm disgusted by numerous reports regarding what allegedly went down between Guru & Solar. The physical assaults, the dressing downs, the controlling, the refusal to release Guru's body to the family, etc. It makes me sick & if 1/10th of what has been reported is true, Solar needs to burn in hell.

The other thing that disgusts me about the situation is that aside from 2 of the many radio shows that I tuned in to this past week, none showed proper respect to Guru by dedicating the entire show to him. And when I say dedicating, I don't mean announcing the show is dedicated to his memory or giving up 1/4 of your show for his music. I mean every last second of your show this past week should have been filled with Guru / Gangstarr music. Period. I heard a lot of dj's this week who didn't "do the right thing". And those dj's should be ashamed of themselves. On the other hand, I give props to my man DJ 3rd Rail who dedicated his entire 5 hour show to Guru and to Zulu Beats with Mick Bentsen on Sirius / XM who rocked Guru / Gangstarr music & interviews all night this past Friday. That's what I call "doing the right thing".

My entire show this past week was dedicated to the memory of Guru. All Classic material from the man as well as a special message from DJ King Shameek and a call in from former Ill Kid Records artist Kreem Dot. Plus the entire last interview I did with Guru and Solar from July 30, 2008. Listed below are the links to download my Guru Tribute show.
PART 1 - http://www.mediafire.com/?mwnqoonchyo
PART 2 - http://www.mediafire.com/?z45ykomm0ni
PART 3 - http://www.mediafire.com/?4tyz1hlywdd
PART 4 - http://www.mediafire.com/?vmdztyydmgy

I was also asked to make a comment about the passing of Guru for my friend Marc Cabrera's column in the Monterey Herald newspaper & for his blog. Here are the links to check them out.

Marc's column - http://www.montereyherald.com/leisure/ci_14955966?nclick_check=1
Marc's blog - http://marcsbeat.blogspot.com/2010/04/dj-kazzeos-tribute-to-guru-of-gantstarr.html
Adding to the somber vibe of the week, the brotherhood of dj's felt a huge loss this past Saturday with the death of LA's own DJ Hideo. R.I.P. brother.
As I end this weeks commentary, I'll try to end on an upbeat note with Happy Birthday to the one & only Nasty Nes. Happy Birthday brother"...
 

Kevin Sakoda (KSPC-CA): "Hope everyone's doing well. I definitely have to kick this week's email off with a SALUTE to DJ Hideo and Guru. Hideo was a friend and mentor before I even got into the music business, and his perpetual kindness will truly be missed. Guru had already created classic albums before I ever met him (incidentally, it was the one and only DJ Rob One who introduced me to him), and through the years he has always been one of the most generous artists to deal with. I sometimes get negative about the state of our business and culture, but I pray that the next generation is lucky enough to follow the lead of people like Hideo, Guru, Rob One, Bigga B, and our many other fallen comrades who understood that we are only as good as the company we keep.

In brighter news, as the show goes on I want to start highlighting some of the new music I've played. This past Saturday's show kicked off with the El Medina Project's "Battle of Badr 317" (big shout to Ern Dogg...west up!). I also worked in new joints from the homies Eternia (feat Ras Kass), Droop Capone, 2 Hungry Bros/8th W1 (and the AOK crew), Trek Life, Mad One (San Antonio stand up!), YP, Amad Jamal (thanks Beni), and appropriately enough...something DJ Ice sent over from DJ Lord Ron featuring Guru.

If you're not in the LA-area, you can catch the show live (via iTunes) every Saturday, 5-7PM (west-coast time): http://www.kspc.org/popup.html   You can also find archived playlists and download links 24/7: http://blogs.myspace.com/kevsakoda   Enjoy!"...

Shareef Abdullah (WRFL-KY): "Man...what a rough week last week was. In my opinion, Guru's passing is probably the biggest loss ever in Hip-Hop. No disrespect to all the other fallen soldiers (JMJ, Biggie, Tupac, Big L, etc.), but Guru's body of work with Gang Starr & Jazzmatazz gave brothers like myself a sense of direction and guidance that went beyond just dope beats and rhymes, a quality that made him more vital to hip hop than the aforementioned artists. The massive lyrical gems he instilled in his joints where an essential part of my self-development and gave me new outlook on how black men should conduct themselves in the jungles of North Amerikkka. To hear these sorry allegations about his personal life taken serious by the media are pathetic! Sway, representing a network who hasn't cared about Guru or any other Hip-Hop with substance in over decade, made a mockery of Guru by centering his whole interview with Solar about their alleged homosexual relationship. That was inexcusable and so typical of the tom coonery that exists in Hip-Hop journalism today. Once again I salute our brother, teacher, scholar and now ancestor for all the lessons and jewels he left us and may he forever keep shining light through the music!"...

Nate Abney (WKDU-Philly): "Well Bolt lit up Franklin Field this past weekend. Jamaican flags and US flags were waving at Franklin Field thought I was at the Olympics for a little while. Nothing new to talk about at the moment. Happy Birthday to Nasty Nes and big ups to the Phils for NOT letting a superstar get away in Ryan Howard "...
 

D-Tragic (805HipHop.com): "Oh and just started the new show on air 91.9FM – KCSB Santa Barbara “WORD ON THE STREETS RADIO” Thursdays 4-6 Also First Friday of Month 8-10PM “WORD ON THE STREETS RADIO” www.KCSB.org...

Matt Chan (CJSF-Canada): "Hi all. As my you may or may not know I have relocated to Toronto. I will still be doing my radio show however it will now be pre-taped and I will still be doing my chart. Please send your emails/mp3's/promos/priorities to my new email address: matthew.chanbros@gmail.com  My contact number is (604) 306-6086 however I might be changing it to get a Toronto area code"
132 Chatham Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M4J-1K7
Canada
 

Here is our address for 2010 to send material for review, etc (vinyl, dvd's & cd's)!

RapAttackLives.com

4750 Kester Avenue, Ste. 11

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Attn: Nasty-Nes

 (FOR MP3's): nastynes818@gmail.com 

Attn MySpace heads! If you haven't joined our exclusive RAP ATTACK page on MySpace, log on NOW & join at: http://www.myspace.com/rapattacklives...

SHOUT OUT TIZIME: Happy Birthday this week to Ashley Mendiola who celebrated last Sunday, May 2nd & to "The King Of Bass" DJ Magic Mike who's celebrating this Sunday, May 9th!...

PEACE, LOVE & HIP-HOP UNITY (God Bless & Isa Mahal),

Nasty-Nes

http://www.myspace.com/nastynes

http://www.myspace.com/rapattacklives 

(Pinoy Pride4Life / John 3:16)