’s musical legacy is forever cemented in the annals of hip-hop history for a multitude of reasons, all of which derive from the powerful partnership between the late-great wordsmith Guru and genius orchestrator-of-sound DJ Premier. Beginning with their 1989 debut album No More Mr. Nice Guy and climaxing with their final 2003 LP The Ownerz, the duo’s unparalleled devotion to the art of hip-hop songcraft yielded one of the genre’s most prolific catalogs of all-time. In more straightforward terms, Gang Starr never made a wack record – single, album or otherwise. Never. Not even one.
Guru and Premier’s shared perfectionism can be witnessed (again) in two classic clips from the 1992 season of Yo! MTV Raps, in which the group performs “Take It Personal” from their third album Daily Operation and the single’s B-side, “DWYCK.” Featuring their brothers-in-rhyme Nice & Smooth, the latter tune was originally slated for inclusion on the LP, but due to alleged label bureaucracy, it wasn’t formally included on a Gang Starr long player until 1994’s Hard to Earn. No matter though, as each track remains the definition of DOPE to this day.
Enjoy the performances and bonus interview below, and stay tuned for additional Yo! MTV Raps throwback memories here on soulhead!
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Bonus Video: