Hearing about Guru of Gangstarr’s current health condition immediately made me think about the first time I unintentionally met the legendary Boston MC.
It was late in the summer of 1999 and I was a freshman at NYU. Steve, my new roommate, and I went to see The Roots at the legendary Wetlands (Google it). Being music nerds snobs, we got there early so we could stand at the front of the stage. It was pretty hot in there (I think the eco-friendly club didn’t believe in AC), so we were sweating right along with the band which made it all the more uncomfortable when I felt a sweaty forearm bopping along on my shoulder.
“Yo, if this dude doesn’t take his arm off me…” I said to Steve (Hey, I’m from Newark. I didn’t play.).
And as I turned to say something to this dude, I stopped. I saw the bald head, sunglasses and then I heard the voice. Guru — “Just To Get A Rep” Guru, “Words That I Manifest” Guru — was nodding his head right next to me at a Roots show. I used to watch this cat’s videos after-school and now he was no different than me. We exchanged a pound and a head nod and continued watching the show.
I have had a few industry run-ins with Guru since including an odd Atlantic City party run-in but to this day that is one of my favorite NYU, NYC and hip-hop stories to tell.
Thanks, Guru… And get well soon, man.
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