Yesterday (September 28), veteran Brooklyn, New York Hip Hop duo Group Home released their third album, G.U.R.U. (Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal). Released on Babygrande Records, Lil Dap and Melachi The Nutcracker paid homage to their Gang Starr Foundation mentor, Keith “Guru” Elam after his death this April.
According to its artwork, proceeds from the album will go towards a trust fund created to support Guru’s son.
G.U.R.U. features the iconic emcee of the same name, on songs “Pay Attention,” “Be Like That” and the last Group Home song recorded with Gang Starr, “The Legacy,” which first appeared on 1999’s A Tear For The Ghetto.
Members of the Gang Starr Foundation, along with artists like Big Shug and Jeru The Damaja, Group Home’s career began at Guru’s Ill Kid Records imprint. There, they signed a venture with Payday Records to release their 1995 debut, Livin’ Proof, which was entirely produced by DJ Premier. Additionally, Lil Dap would appear on several seminal Gang Starr albums, including 1994’s Hard To Earn.
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Speaking with HipHopDX earlier this month, Lil Dap explained the duo’s purpose in reuniting to pay respects to Guru. “We’re basically just trying to clear up all the nonsense that was out there and giving people our vision of our friend, how we know him. There were some good days and some good times and I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today if it wasn’t for that.”
G.U.R.U. (Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal) is in stores now, and features Jeru The Damaja, Lord Jamar, Smiley The Ghetto Child and the Brainsick Mob.