{"title":"Gang Starr","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Gang Starr\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGang Starr formed in Boston in 1985 around Guru, with the classic duo solidifying after DJ Premier joined in 1988. They are widely regarded as one of the foundational duos of East Coast hip hop and jazz rap. The duo released six studio albums together between 1989 and 2003 before going on hiatus following Guru's serious illness. Guru died on April 19, 2010 from cardiac arrest following a battle with multiple myeloma. DJ Premier released the posthumous One of the Best Yet (2019), constructed from previously unreleased Guru vocal sessions paired with new Premier production. Guru also led the parallel Jazzmatazz project (1993-2007) collaborating with jazz musicians.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGang Starr's sound combines East Coast hip hop, jazz rap, conscious hip hop, and golden age hip hop with DJ Premier's signature jazz-sampling production approach (extensive use of obscure jazz, soul, and R\u0026amp;B samples with chopped, looped drum breaks) paired with Guru's distinctive baritone vocal delivery. Their work is widely cited as defining the jazz rap subgenre alongside A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo More Mr. Nice Guy (1989, Wild Pitch)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStep in the Arena (1991, Chrysalis)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDaily Operation (1992, Chrysalis)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHard to Earn (1994, Chrysalis)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoment of Truth (1998, Noo Trybe\/Virgin)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Ownerz (2003, Virgin)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne of the Best Yet (2019, Year Round\/Empire) - posthumous\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginal Wild Pitch and Chrysalis pressings of the early Gang Starr catalog are foundational items in hip hop collecting. Multiple anniversary editions and box sets have been released across the catalog.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Gang Starr typically start with Moment of Truth (1998) or Daily Operation (1992). \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hip-hop-vinyl-records\"\u003eHip-Hop\/Rap\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"gang-starr-hard-to-earn-vinyl","title":"Hard to Earn 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginally released in 1994 as the follow-up to 1992's Daily Operation, Hard To Earn was Gang Starr's fourth full-length and it found the duo stripping things down and offering more of a straight up hip-hop record full of raw beats and attitude.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540953247927,"sku":"210000034074","price":32.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/r-314686-1467118342-7297jpeg.jpg?v=1781154843"},{"product_id":"gang-starr-moment-of-truth-cd-explicit","title":"Moment of Truth CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eExperience the lyrical mastery of Gang Starr with their iconic album, \"Moment of Truth.\" This CD features standout tracks like \"You Know My Steez\" and \"Above the Clouds,\" showcasing the dynamic collaboration between the legendary DJ Premier and rapper Guru. With guest appearances from notable artists such as Scarface and Inspectah Deck, this release is a testament to the duo's unmatched place in hip-hop history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48772766138551,"sku":"210000071971","price":13.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/216531.jpg?v=1782828093"},{"product_id":"gang-starr-step-in-the-arena-vinyl","title":"Step in the Arena 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003e180g vinyl. Step in the Arena is the second studio album by hip hop duo Gang Starr, originally released on January 15, 1991. The album received critical acclaim and was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785797120183,"sku":"210000087193","price":32.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/r-314701-1425506136-3488jpeg.jpg?v=1783045946"},{"product_id":"gang-starr-moment-of-truth-vinyl","title":"Moment of Truth 3LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eReleased four years after its previous album, Hard to Earn, this album could be perceived as a comeback, with a newer, updated style of the group's already-established jazz-tinged hip-hop.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48860492791991,"sku":"210000037666","price":39.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/91lohvcgsgl-sl1500.jpg?v=1783653922"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/gang-starr.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}