Guru, most famously known as the vocal half of the hip-hop group Gang Starr, died yesterday after an extended battle with cancer. He was only 43.

Gang Starr existed during a time when hip-hop was still a great and disciplined art form. The early nineties required emcees to be articulate and meaningful. It was before the time when laziness and monotony were rewarded with platinum records and millions of dollars. I must always pay tribute to the men and women who were given a platform to speak and spoke eloquently and with purpose. Guru had that gift. He had a commanding presence, a unique voice and an unmistakable delivery.

Whenever a jazz great passes, I feel like a piece of history has died. I feel like the burden of responsibility is upon me to continue doing my part to keep the music alive. When a hip-hop great passes, I feel like a part of me has gone forever. I feel myself moving further and further away from my youth. I can no longer look back at 1990 like it was just yesterday. I have to admit to myself that those days are long gone. And little by little, the things I hold dear from that time are slipping away from me as well.

Below is one of the best creations of Guru and Gang Starr. The man respected jazz and its originators and it shows here.