NEW YORK — Gang Starr rapper Guru was pronounced dead Monday night following a long bout with cancer. He was 43.
"The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all-time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru," fellow rapper MC Solar told MTV News. "Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it, but tragically, this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius."
Guru, born Keith Elam, had slipped into a coma after suffering a heart attack last month.
The Massachusetts-born rapper rose to fame in the late 1980s when he formed Gang Starr with partner DJ Premier. The duo went on to release six albums, including the critically-acclaimed Moment of Truth in 1998. Their last album, The Ownerz, was released in 2003.
Guru also found success as a solo artist in 1993 when he released the first volume of his Jazzmatazz series, a project that featured such jazz icons as Branford Marsalis, Donald Byrd, Roy Ayers and Ronny Jordan.
The rapper wrote a farewell letter to his fans from his hospital room that he asked Solar to release upon his death.
"I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease," he said. "I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options."
"I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life," the letter continued. "I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting."
Guru went on to praise Solar for supporting him during his illness. He also distanced himself from Premier, saying he didn't want his former musical partner to participate in any tributes or events surrounding his death.
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