With Jeru The Damaja making his debut on ‘I’m The Man’, which hears three separate instrumentals pieced together to form one, the Gang Starr Foundation was born. Also adding to the type of cinematic street tales that would later influence famed storyteller The Notorious B.I.G., to catch certain stories on Daily Operation the rewind button would become the listener’s best friend on more than one occasion. Not only that, but Guru’s intricate tales of life’s many situations also extended the type of lyrical fiction made famous by Slick Rick. A master of tempos, he was able to sample pretty much anything and make it sound right at home over the top of a dope drum loop. Established with the help of tracks ‘B.Y.S.’, ‘Take It Personal’ and ‘Ex Girl To Next Girl’, DJ Premier’s production genius was beginning to shine through. Titled Daily Operation, with the help of yet more jazz soundscapes and lyrically intellectual subject matters, the Gang Starr signature sound was born. On a run that would eventually see them become cult favourites, 1992 saw Gang Starr’s third album hit stores. Nice Guy Pt.2)’ hit them over the head with beefy instrumentals and hardcore rhymes. Cuts such as ‘Who’s Gonna Take The Weight?’ and ‘Just To Get A Rep’ drew listeners in with their jazz fused backdrops and laid back rhymes, while the likes of ‘Check The Technique’ and ‘Execution Of A Chump (No More Mr. Both educational and hardcore, Guru’s monotone raps offered street teachings over Premier’s slick sample pickings and ear-cutting scratches. Released via new label Chrysalis, the album played both sides of the fence. Introducing this new sound on their 1991 album Step In The Arena, considered a classic, the duo perfected the template that would launch them into underground stardom. While critics tagged it as jazz rap, the sound that Gang Starr would eventually find solace in later became the authentic New York Hip-Hop sound that many artists would go on to be influenced by – ironically both Guru and Premier were from Boston and Houston respectively. Needing to refine their sound and reconsider the musical direction in which they took next, Gang Starr’s love affair with jazz music would go on to see them well. While not too impressive, by their future standards at least, the album did include a few promising moments – ‘DJ Premier In Deep Concentration’ and the ‘Manifest’ remix being two of them. Then, with the album being more a learning experience than anything else, 1989 saw the release of their debut LP No More Mr. Beginning their partnership after Premier, who at the time was known as Waxmaster C, sent a demo tape to Guru, the duo hit it off instantly.