Homecoming

Gang Starr's DJ Premier still mourns partner Guru.

Comments (0) By Rolando Rodriguez Wednesday, Nov 10 2010

DJ Premier is a proof point of his philosophy and rappers like Bun B are examples of it. Premier is known to talk with his hands behind the turntables, and he channeled Pimp C's spirit on "Let 'Em Know" featured on Bun's latest album, Trill O.G.

In hip-hop years, Premier is practically 100. When he speaks of "back in my day," it's reminiscent of grandfathers recalling walking uphill to and from school, but it's endearing. Eventually you realize you aren't talking to grandpa, you're talking to a chapter in hip-hop history.

Daniel Hastings

Back in the Day: DJ Premier is a living chapter of hip-hop history.

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Numbers

300 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77006

Category: Music Venues

Region: Montrose

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DJ Premier

With Rel the Chosen, Hero & Rad and DJ Iceman, 8 p.m. Sunday, November 14, at Numbers, 300 Westheimer, 713-526-6551, www.numbersnightclub.com or www.trueheadnation.com.

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After studying at Prairie View, Premier recalls leaving Houston in a raggedy Nissan with plenty of nicknames and heading to New York. When he got there, there were eviction notices and padlocks on his front door when he and then-roommate Guru couldn't make the rent.

A call from Spike Lee changed that. Gang Starr was invited to create a track, called "Jazz Thing," for Lee's 1990 flick Mo Better Blues. The rest, as they say, is hip-hop history.

Over the next 12 years, Gang Starr would drop a discography that would cement their place as one of the most important hip-hop duos in East Coast rap, and arguably in hip-hop history: Step in the Arena (1991), Daily Operation (1992), Hard to Earn (1994), Moment of Truth (1998) and The Ownerz (2003).

In 2006, Guru publicly declared the end to Gang Starr, but Premier talked of a reunion in the months prior to Guru's death.

"I still cry every now and then," Premier says. "I'm angry that he's gone."

Peel back the layers and you might weep.