What would you ask Gangstar, tell me anything about Gangstar, I am shortly interviewing Gangstarr.

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How many Rs.

Any help gratefully recieved, I know one track I think.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 14:36 (twenty-one years ago)

I recently interviewed Guru, and you should have no problem getting him to talk about when he got into the whole rap game, moved to NYC etc. He is quite a chatterbox.

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 3 November 2003 14:43 (twenty-one years ago)

sweet, I am currently swotting up, couldn't really refuse the work and the cash you know how it is.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 14:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Who are you interviewing?

― cybele (cybele), Monday, 3 November 2003 14:46 (twenty-one years ago)

not certain yet!

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 14:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't ask about Jeru!!

― scottjames23 (worrysome-man), Monday, 3 November 2003 14:49 (twenty-one years ago)

2 r's

― scottjames23 (worrysome-man), Monday, 3 November 2003 14:50 (twenty-one years ago)

My current situation is what is wrong with print journalism. Some clueless idiot writing about music other people know about.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 14:51 (twenty-one years ago)

2 Rs.

ask Premo what he thinks of Dizzee!

― pete b. (pete b.), Monday, 3 November 2003 14:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Here's a recent interview with Premier:

http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/2003/102303/nightlife5.html

― cybele (cybele), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Ask about Pitch Black. I heard a new Premo-produced track by those cats. Some good shit. Ask Premo how he can still make fuckin amazing beats having stayed on the same cut-n-paste method for 15 years.

― Johnny Badlees (crispssssss), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Ask Guru: Is it still 'mostly tha voice'?

― M Carty (mj_c), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:10 (twenty-one years ago)

ask premo:

- why he didn't work with jigga on "the black album"
- who are the new artists he wants to work with
- why the last album was so fucking boring
- how come gang starr never did any dj cuts after "dj premier in deep concentration"

― strongo hulkington's ghost (dubplatestyle), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:27 (twenty-one years ago)

- why the last album was so fucking boring

Are you mad? There can be no quality drop-offs ever! The press release said so!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:29 (twenty-one years ago)

AMG is full of annoying "blows away the commercial nonsense" comments. Are they like that?

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:30 (twenty-one years ago)

gang starr's first four albums are totally brilliant but you have to understand ronan that between 90-95 the premier sound WAS the "commericial sound" to some extent.

― strongo hulkington's ghost (dubplatestyle), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Gangstarr are probably more responsible for the genesis of undie-hop than anyone else.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:54 (twenty-one years ago)

AMG is full of annoying "blows away the commercial nonsense" comments. Are they like that?

Kind of, but with diminishing returns. Their best albums (Step in the Arena, Daily Operation and Hard to Earn) are all from a decade or so ago, could all be summarised as very 'real' straightahead hip-hop, but rendered radical by DJ Premier's astonishingly inventive way with a sample. Guru's a frequently dire lyricist (witness ILX eternal fave 'lemonade was a popular drink and it still is', used only as it rhymes with Bruce Willis), but with a very enticing grain to his voice and a hypnotic (or boringly monotone, if you're not in the mood) delivery.

Ten years on, this formula's still in full effect (they even announced they use a formulaic approach on their late-90s album Moment of Truth). Less radical than it was 10 years ago, but eternally there for those who loved them.

Probably not unlike say Iron Maiden or Slayer in that respect!

― M Carty (mj_c), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Where's the interview going to end up, by the way?

― M Carty (mj_c), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Hot Press magazine, it's mainly an Irish magazine but you can get it in Britain, in Borders and places like that.

I'll have a few days to write it up so I might check out some of their music in that time.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:04 (twenty-one years ago)

arh, aren't you taking it a bit to far now?

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Ask Guru about the relationship between jazz and hip-hop and he will luv you, even if he's wrong.

― Jordan (Jordan), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:17 (twenty-one years ago)

What do you mean Jay?

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Guru is obsessed with the idea of hip-hop (particularly freestyling) as the newest expression of jazz.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I heard Branford Marsalis (who played on Guru's albums and used to room with DJ Premier [!!!]) say that while he's happy to play with him, Guru's albums have nothing whatsoever to do with jazz. I dunno, this would be a whole 'nother thread (actually, it shouldn't), and while I think a lot of the basic values in the music are the same, on a musical level I'm inclined to agree.

― Jordan (Jordan), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Ronan...what have you heard that allowed you to conclude that Gangstarr is not important or revolutionary? I don't understand. Here you say "I'll have a few days to write it up so I might check out some of their music in that time." and on the Dizzee thread you're insisting that you are confident in your assessment of them--that you've heard enough to make judgement on Premo and Guru's accomplishments. I'm sorry if I find this a bit condescending to those of use who really like this music.

― cybele (cybele), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I actually had a question mark beside my comments on the Dizzee thread, you were the one who brought it up, hardly insisting that I am confident.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:40 (twenty-one years ago)

I just think anyone who thinks Busta is better than Dizzee is being very traditionalist.
Cybele I know enough about Gangstarr to feel confident they are not one of the most revolutionary and NEW rap outfits ever.

More traditionalism?

-- Ronan (ronan.fitzgerald...), November 3rd, 2003.

― cybele (cybele), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:43 (twenty-one years ago)

well they have been around for 14 years in fairness, that does not really qualify as new whatever your stance.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:49 (twenty-one years ago)

I meant that they've done "new" things and been innovative. If we take this as a misunderstanding, this still leave you saying that Gangstarr aint one of the most revolutionary partnerships. I guess you're going to tell me I'm being "traditional," eh?

― cybele (cybele), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:53 (twenty-one years ago)

What do you want me to have said and believed or what do you think I believe and I will fully agree with whatever you decide 100 percent and then we can safely release that bee.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Q: Why do you rock SO MUCH?

Go to amazon.com, listen to snippets of Daily Operation, search for their lyrics, do the kit, whatever it takes! to get a feel for their work, if only a glimpse.

― Francis Watlington (Francis Watlington), Monday, 3 November 2003 17:07 (twenty-one years ago)

ask premier if he thinks any of the current hot producers will have a run in the spotlight as long as he has. ask him where you go after the first ten years of your career. ask him about the clipse parody on the new album - is it all love?

― vahid (vahid), Monday, 3 November 2003 17:08 (twenty-one years ago)

do you have any plans to produce your new album in 5.1 surround?

― vahid (vahid), Monday, 3 November 2003 17:08 (twenty-one years ago)

witness ILX eternal fave 'lemonade was a popular drink and it still is', used only as it rhymes with Bruce Willis

...that's actually a Chi Ali reference.
I think Guru is a great MC.

― ddrake, Monday, 3 November 2003 18:32 (twenty-one years ago)

My question is for you: How can someone who knows nothing about music get a job interviewing one of the most important musicians in history?

― ddrake, Monday, 3 November 2003 18:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, because clearly Ronan knows nothing about music, hates it, despises it and otherwise wouldn't have it in the house. Clearly he doesn't write about it either. Nope.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 3 November 2003 18:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, because clearly Ronan knows nothing about music, hates it, despises it and otherwise wouldn't have it in the house. Clearly he doesn't write about it either. Nope.

hey smartass, catch the Hi fidelity reference? No, I thought not.

Where's that classic Ned Raggett sense of humor?

Not knowing anything about Gang Starr + somehow being in a position to interview Gang Starr = pretty lame regardless.

Hell, Not Knowing anything about Gang Starr = Pretty lame regardless.

― ddrake, Monday, 3 November 2003 18:38 (twenty-one years ago)

hey smartass, catch the Hi fidelity reference?

I leave that to people who thought it was a documentary.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 3 November 2003 18:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I leave that to people who thought it was a documentary.

There's that sense of humor we all love.

― ddrake, Monday, 3 November 2003 18:42 (twenty-one years ago)

You guys are totally gonna kiss.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, and can you guys let me know what threads you will be playing next? i'll be sure to tip my waitress.

― scott seward, Monday, 3 November 2003 19:49 (twenty-one years ago)

You guys are totally gonna kiss.

I should hope! It wouldn't be entertainment without it.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Haha. You forgot, I have mono. So you're welcome to kiss, with tongue, preferably.

― ddrake, Monday, 3 November 2003 20:21 (twenty-one years ago)

ask guru why he hasn't been able to switch up his flow after all these years.

or ask premier if, truth be told, he didn't form a group with jeru - twice the lyricist guru is.

― paulhw (paulhw), Monday, 3 November 2003 21:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks for your help, I did it earlier and it went well. They were cool. My phone cut off halfway through and they couldn't hear me properly and were like "GET YOUR IRISH ASS ON THE PHONE DUDE", it was funny.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 21:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Your entire article should revolve around the sentence "GET YOUR IRISH ASS ON THE PHONE DUDE".

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 3 November 2003 21:48 (twenty-one years ago)

:-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 3 November 2003 21:49 (twenty-one years ago)

You shoulda totally asked about Jeru!

And yeah, it is pretty lame that you interviewed them when you seem to have no respect for their contributions to hip hop history.

― oops (Oops), Monday, 3 November 2003 21:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Fucking hell, can we crucify this "Show some respect!" bugbear now?

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 3 November 2003 21:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I didn't so much mean 'show some respect' as 'have a fucking clue'

― oops (Oops), Monday, 3 November 2003 21:59 (twenty-one years ago)

I guess we can't.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:00 (twenty-one years ago)

But please, carry on with ILX's mission to destroy any and all previous memes.

― oops (Oops), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:00 (twenty-one years ago)

rock'n'roll is all about respecting your elders baby

― strongo hulkington's ghost (dubplatestyle), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:01 (twenty-one years ago)

taking sides: "clued up" vs. "clued in"

― vahid (vahid), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:02 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.amos-sct.org.uk/info/annualreports/AR1998-99/sermon.jpg

― vahid (vahid), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Look it's either me reviewing it or nobody else bothering, I want to write about dance music and the sooner I can the better but if they ask me to do hip-hop and pop I will gladly do them because I believe in them also. Christ I remember when you could do an advice thread around here, were Gangstarr popular then?

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, I mean you don't only get to interview the artists you like, a gig's a gig. If I had to interview some house artist I would, um, look them up on allmusic, download some mp3's and ask about it on ILM.

― Jordan (Jordan), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Exactly! What did you think the point of this thread was, oops? "Oh look, I'm interviewing deeply influential legends and I know nothing about them, nyah nyah nyah! Eat it, fuckers!"

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Gangstarr are to Ireland what Dave Clarke or something would be to the US.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:19 (twenty-one years ago)

I didn't mean to make it seem like I was criticizing YOU for interviewing them--I would've done the same thing. Was criticizing the magazine for sending you to interview them. I guess that's why most interviews are crap.

xpost

like i said, it's the situation i don't like, not Ronan as an individual.

― oops (Oops), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:20 (twenty-one years ago)

My feelings as well.

Nothing personal...I never listened to..say..Fugazi until relatively recently. Obviously, I have been living in a cave. At the same time, my mag (ha) didn't send me to interview Fugazi.

― ddrake, Monday, 3 November 2003 22:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Ask him if Miles Davis's, On the corner is the link between jazz and hip-hop* and why it hasn't been exploited more by other artists.

(*I'm not saying it is, I'm just curious as to what he'd say)

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Gangstarr are to Ireland what Dave Clarke or something would be to the US.

Don't Dave Clarke Five hold the record for the British band to have played live the most times on American TV?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:37 (twenty-one years ago)

(And, no, Dave Clarke/Dave Clarke Five jokes never get old. FACT)

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:38 (twenty-one years ago)

dave clark five tho' no e

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 22:38 (twenty-one years ago)

There's some clever pun to be made there, but I can't be fucked.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 3 November 2003 23:58 (twenty-one years ago)

what issue of hot press will this be in? i shall look out for it...

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 4 November 2003 11:31 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd say thursday two weeks time, but in this weeks issue I have some stuff also, plug plug.

― Ronan (Ronan), Tuesday, 4 November 2003 11:48 (twenty-one years ago)

"- why he didn't work with jigga on "the black album""

according to hiphopsite.com jigga has rejected all the tracks that Premo's sent him. i dunno what their 'source' on that is though.

― Adrian (Adrian Langston), Tuesday, 4 November 2003 17:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Premo has just done a track with Ludacris.

― Ronan (Ronan), Tuesday, 4 November 2003 22:15 (twenty-one years ago)

four years pass...

My question is for you: How can someone who knows nothing about music get a job interviewing one of the most important musicians in history?

-- ddrake, Monday, November 3, 2003 1:33 PM (4 years ago) Bookmark Link

Yes, because clearly Ronan knows nothing about music, hates it, despises it and otherwise wouldn't have it in the house. Clearly he doesn't write about it either. Nope.

-- Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, November 3, 2003 1:34 PM (4 years ago) Bookmark Link

hey smartass, catch the Hi fidelity reference? No, I thought not.

-- ddrake, Monday, November 3, 2003 1:38 PM (4 years ago) Bookmark Link

― and what, Sunday, 27 January 2008 22:40 (seventeen years ago)

I’m now going to sell five copies of Ned Ragget's Pi.

― jim, Sunday, 27 January 2008 22:44 (seventeen years ago)

Hooray!

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 27 January 2008 22:47 (seventeen years ago)

how many of deej/ned spats were there?

― J0rdan S., Sunday, 27 January 2008 22:48 (seventeen years ago)

"hey smartass, catch the Hi fidelity reference? No, I thought not." vs "Find me some fucking typical indie kids who like alternative country and I'll make you very rich. It said Ryan Adams not Bryan Adams, theres a difference."

― and what, Sunday, 27 January 2008 22:52 (seventeen years ago)

vs. "DO YOU RECKON YOU COULD HEAR AUTECHRE AND LIVE, BECAUSE I DON'T, YOU WOULDN'T EVEN SURVIVE ORBITAL AND I CAN DANCE TO ORBITAL, YOU FUCKWASTE"

― jim, Sunday, 27 January 2008 23:00 (seventeen years ago)

an angry young man

― deej, Sunday, 27 January 2008 23:17 (seventeen years ago)

I am so glad I no longer have to do these shitty interviews for 9 cent a word.

― Ronan, Sunday, 27 January 2008 23:19 (seventeen years ago)

so far away

― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Sunday, 27 January 2008 23:29 (seventeen years ago)

Isn't 9 cent like minus a penny?

― jim, Sunday, 27 January 2008 23:30 (seventeen years ago)

yeah, in the end I cut a better deal, I got an apple for reviews and a bag of crisps for interviews

― Ronan, Sunday, 27 January 2008 23:33 (seventeen years ago)

Golden delicious and a pack of salt and vinegar McCoys.

― jim, Sunday, 27 January 2008 23:35 (seventeen years ago)

two years pass...

Rapper Guru in coma after heart attack: One of hip-hop's most celebrated MCs is reportedly in a coma after suffering a cardiac arrest.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/mar/01/rapper-guru

Don't die baldhead slick

― De que estas hablando? (Tannenbaum Schmidt), Monday, 1 March 2010 14:07 (fifteen years ago)

* Culture
* Music
* Hip hop
Rapper Guru in coma after heart attack
One of hip-hop's most celebrated MCs is reportedly in a coma after suffering a cardiac arrest
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* Rosie Swash
* guardian.co.uk, Monday 1 March 2010 11.47 GMT
* Article history
Rapper Guru is reported to be in a coma after suffering a heart attack yesterday (Sunday 28 February). The 43-year-old is set to undergo surgery today at a hospital in New York.
The rapper's condition was confirmed by DJ Premier, his partner in the seminal hip-hop group Gang Starr, in a phonecall to radio show Hip Hop Nation yesterday. He is reported as ssaying: "Guru is in a coma and will go under surgery tomorrow afternoon."
Guru, born Keith Alam, rose to prominence as an MC in the 80s. Known for his distinctive voice and intelligent rhymes, he released a string of hits with Gang Starr, including Words I Manifest, Just to Get Rep and Full Clip.
The duo were reportedly on indefinite hiatus after 2003 album The Ownerz, with Guru and DJ Premier giving conflicting messages about their future. However, Guru recently hinted on Twitter that he and DJ Premier were set to release new Gang Starr material imminently.
Guru is best known for his work on Jazzmatazz, a hip-hop and jazz fusion project that has yielded four albums and numerous tours. The group's booking agent confirmed that a number of forthcoming Jazzmatazz live dates have now been put on hold.

― De que estas hablando? (Tannenbaum Schmidt), Monday, 1 March 2010 14:08 (fifteen years ago)

Terrible news...

― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Monday, 1 March 2010 14:38 (fifteen years ago)

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