Guru dies, but 'death wish' keeps feud alive

21 April 2010

Influential rapper Guru died of cancer last Monday (April 19) aged 43. He was renown for his work with Gang Starr, the East Coast rap outfit who played a seminal role in bringing hip hop into the mainstream in the '90s.

"The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all-time – my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru," read a statement from his long-time producer Solar. "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."

Solar also released a letter (allegedly) penned by Guru on his deathbed, which further reinforced the late rapper's long-running dispute with ex-Gang Starr member DJ Premier.

It states: "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..." "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."

However, Guru's friends and fellow rap artists are questioning the origin of the letter, arguing that he was too weak to write anything after suffering cardiac arrest in February.