R.A. the Rugged Man Speaks

Enjoy

M.G.

Reports of Fake Fan Page Soliciting Funds

Immortal Technique just posted on his facebook page that there is a fake page claiming to be the artist and that reports are getting back to him that this page operator is soliciting funds from fans. It's extremely frustrating as a fan of Immortal Technique and knowing what his mission and focus is on, that someone is using such a platform to try and steal money from these fans. It's fucking sad and needs to be stopped. Go do that with a bubble gum pop artist who no one genuinely cares about. You can't stop an army like Tech. VIVA LA REVOLUCION!!!

Real Immortal Technique Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=503386058&ref=ts

M.G.

DJ M.G. Mixtape The No Show

The event in which this playlist was to be performed was eventually cancelled. Dj B-Tips said I wanted to see what you were going to play for your set and would love to hear it and why don't you just go with it and we can record it. I had a lot of fun putting this together and was just pretty much just an off the top of the head mix. No beat juggling or scratching here, just really made this about the music. Hope you guys enjoy.

http://www.mediafire.com/?gytmm53ttt1

M.G.

Guru Dead at Age 43

After a nearly two-month hospitalization, legendary rapper Guru (best known as the frontman for Gangstarr) died Monday morning (April 19), after a long battle with cancer, reports DJPremierBlog.com.

He was just 43 years old.

Solar, Guru's business partner and sidekick in recent years, told the Yo!Raps (who's PR company had been coordinating press for Guru since his hospitalization) that the 43-year-old rapper had been suffering from a "malicious illness for over a year and after numerous special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed".

He had tried to keep the cancer diagnosis private, but in early March, news leaked that Guru had been admitted to the hospital, suffered a heart attack, and was recovering from a mystery illness. Previous reports said he suffered from Anoxia, effects from a lengthy history of asthma and lung problems, but these new findings reveal a much worst condition.

"The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all-time -- my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru," Solar said in a statement. "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.

"For the fans that reached out with love and support, I can't tell you how much that meant to Guru and myself. Guru prepared this letter (read below) while he was in the hospital for the fans," the producer continued. "I hope now that Guru has moved on to a better place."

According to Yo! Raps, Guru penned this letter to fans, explaining his illness while in the hospital with terminal cancer. Read it below in its entirety:

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.
Guru (real name: Keith Elam) rose to fame in the 80s as the frontman to the legendary rap duo, Gangstarr, also consisting of DJ Premier. The group released the classic single, "Words I Manifest," which was followed by their critically acclaimed debut, No More Mr. Nice Guy, in 1989. The group went on to release six official albums through 2003, before they split and went their separate ways.

Guru went on to found 7 Grand Records, partnering with producer Solar, and embarked on a solo career.

Since falling ill, there's been a lot of controversy over news of his hospitalization. Family members of Guru publicly claimed that Solar had taken over control of the rapper's decision making and had even barred them from visiting. The only official statements being released from the veteran rapper were relayed through his longtime partner Solar, which raised eyebrows from former Guru collaborators and friends. Solar, however, publicly denied claims of any malicious intentions and was only following the rapper's instructions.

Unfortunately, Guru never got well enough to clear things up himself.

On Monday (April 19) when Guru passed away, so did a piece of hip-hop. He'll forever go down in history as one of the best MCs to ever do it. Rest in peace GURU!

Allen Starbury
4/20/10
http://www.ballerstatus.com/2010/04/20/guru-dies-after-long-battle-with-cancer-report/

:-(
M.G.

Talib Kweli's Laptop and Phone Stolen

Last night Brooklyn emcee Talib Kweli was performing in Melbourne, Australia with rapper Jean Grae when an intruder broke into Jean's dressing room and stole Kweli's laptop and cell phone.

The Black Star artist took to Twitter to alert fans of what happened. "Someone came in Jean Grae's dressing rm last night, stole my laptop & phone. They was with the opener whos dressing rm was next to mine."

According to video footage from the hotel, the thief was identified as Amir Elashir, a fan who wrote on Jean Grae's Facebook fan page just days before the show.

Talib Kweli later updated his Twitter status with "We have Amir Bashir # we called he said he had my phone and laptop and was gonna bring it then changed his mind."

Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek are slated to perform on Wednesday in Cincinnati, Ohio as part of Reflection Eternal’s Revolutions Per Minute tour. Their album hits stores May 18.

UPDATE: Via Twitter, Talib Kweli confirmed that an east coast Rap veteran helped the Blacksmith emcee see his laptop and phone returned. Although the details of how are presently unclear, Kweli tweeted acknowledgements to Naughty By Nature's Vin Rock and DMV Rap blogger, DDotOmen. "Shout to @DDotOmen and Vinnie from @naughtybynature for being instrumental in getting me the stuff back. Dude dropped it off and ran."

At present, Naughty By Nature is planning a reunion album with producing group member Kay Gee.

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11060/title.talib-kweli-robbed-in-australia-suspect-identified

M.G.

Buscrates Alert

Buscrates will be making an appearance on Friday April 30th @ Helter Shelter for "Alter States" 9:30 pm. Party hosted by Tom Cox and Matthew McDermott. Buscrates might be performing live using his MPC (Upon status of repair) that would be awesome to see. Other appearances by TMEYE, TUSK LORD and EDGAR UM. Confirm on their facebook event page...

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108895135810787&ref=ts

Helter Shelter
50th and Harrison
Lawerenceville, Pittsburgh PA

M.G.

ZBTahiti 4/17/10

Making my official Hip Hop debut and pretty excited. Should be fun experience with some great music and people involved for a wonderful Saturday afternoon that will carry into the evening. Big thank you to B-Tips for thinking of me and giving me an opportunity. Will be funky fresh to say the least. Will be playing a wide range of hip hop starting out with old school and making my way to more current influences. :-).

M.G.

Hell Razah Undergoes Surgery

Wu Tang Clan affiliate Hell Razah is recovering after undergoing surgery for a brain aneurysm. The rapper, real name Chron Smith, was admitted to a U.S. hospital last Tuesday and went under the knife on Wednesday. Doctors insist Smith, who is in a coma, is recovering well and is expected to regain consciousness later this week.

Wu Tang Clan collaborator Bronze Nazareth confirmed the news in a post on his Twitter.com account and called on fans to pray for the hip-hop star. He wrote, "Hell Razah... Yo Lord push thru (sic) this! Much love fam (family) your blessings are needed so fight thru it (sic)!!! All Love."

Article from /jam.canoe.ca
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2010/04/13/13562376-wenn-story.html

M.G.

Krs-One Comes to Pittsburgh

A man who needs no introduction or bio, hip hop legend Krs-One will be performing Friday, April 23rd @ Shadow Lounge 9 pm. Tickets are $25 and at the bottom of the page will be a link to purchase them. This is an over 21 show. Please support the Shadow Lounge, here is there facebook link.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4205829&id=39442731149#!/pages/Pittsburgh-PA/Shadow-Lounge/39442731149?ref=ts

To Buy Tickets:
http://www.showclix.com/event/9176/

M.G.

Just A Bad Ass Pic