Maybe now that he almost lost his life, this man will get his due as one of them most important and influential MCs in the history of Hip Hop. I don't say that lightly. The music, anywhere you can find it in the world, would sound differently, and not for the better, without these two. Not just without Primo, both of them. I've had to defend his worth in many a musical debate. That makes no sense to me. Guru demands your respect without ever having to ask for it. He deserves it more than 99% of these dudes out here nowadays. Go to Europe (East or West), Asia, South America, Australia and the other corners of the world and ask a Hip Hop fan young or old who one of their favorite groups is. I guarantee Gangstarr is mentioned. Regardless of the fact that they haven't put a record out or performed in years. The fact that can't be said in America, besides among the artists themselves and the "conscious"/ underground scene, is ludicrous and just plain unjust.
He, and the other man in the photo above, have meant a huge amount to me for over 20 years. I'd go as far as to say they've literally influenced my life permanently. I don't say that because of the present circumstances or about almost any other artist except for the very precious few. At one point I had the honor of being involved in bringing their music to the world. It is one the all-time highlights of my career in music. I have friends who abandoned Hip Hop long ago but they will always listen to Gangstarr. Always. So will I. If I have kids, so will they. I hope their music gets passed on like Bach or the Beatles to generation after generation.
Bottom line, Premier gets the title of being one of the top 3, if not the top, producers ever in Hip Hop. He helped Jay Z, Biggie, Nas and a million others to get the status they have currently attained. But the Primo sound was created and build for one man; Guru. And to me he will always sound the best over his beats. No one else will ever mesh with those drums, chopped samples and scratched hooks like he did.
Get better and for the sake of your fans please drop that third rate clown you've been rolling with since Gansgtarr split and get back to your rightful place among the royalty of this culture.
I recently started a new gig working with a great start-up, shustir.com. As someone who has always had issues with large corporations, chain stores, and the like, I feel aligned morally with the mission of the site. The main focus and goal is to build, create and support an online small business community, like-minded consumers included, as well as offer virtual storefronts for the businesses that become members. Shustir wisely defines small business not only as companies but also entrepreneurs, self-employed people, freelancers, creative types, etc. Basically, for the type of person I, and many others of my generations and the next, have been our entire adult lifes.
