Gang Starr

Gang Starr formed in Brooklyn in 1989, pairing rapper Guru (Keith Elam) with DJ and producer DJ Premier (Christopher Martin). The duo's jazz-influenced production and Guru's smooth, monotone delivery created a distinctive sound that influenced East Coast hip-hop throughout the 1990s. Their albums "Step in the Arena" (1991), "Daily Operation" (1992), and "Moment of Truth" (1998) are considered classics of the genre. DJ Premier's sample-heavy, boom-bap production style became highly influential in hip-hop production.