Guru loses battle with cancer

Influential rapper Guru has died aged 43 after losing his battle with cancer.

The former Gang Starr man had also been in a coma after suffering a cardiac arrest in March.

A statement said: “Guru has passed away yesterday morning (April 19) after a long battle with cancer.

“According to (his producer) Solar, Guru suffered from the malicious illness for over a year and after numerous special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed, the legendary MC succumbed to the disease. Guru always tried to keep this harrowing diagnosis in private but in early 2010 he had to admit himself to hospital due to serious effects caused by the disease.”

Guru – real name Keith Elam – made a name for himself after teaming up with DJ Premier to form Gang Starr. The duo released six albums before splitting. He went on to release a series of hugely popular Jazzmattaz albums in which he teamed up with classic jazz, soul and hip hop artists.

Elam’s close friend and production partner Solar released his own statement, saying: “The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip hop icons of all time – my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru. 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 R.I.P