Gang Starr - Bad Name
MC Guru and DJ Premier made up one of the most well respected MC and producer duos in hip hop history, Gang Starr. Premier's skill at tying jazz with impeccable hip hop percussion and scratching combined with Guru's writing and charismatic vocals gave them their star power. After six critically acclaimed albums, Guru and Premier went their separate ways in the early 2000s. Guru sadly later died of cancer in 2010, but Premier managed to obtain some of his unreleased vocal takes from DJ Solar who Guru was working with before his passing. He then set about putting together a posthumous album called "One Of The Best Yet". Considering the use of unfinished vocal takes and having to piece it all together without Guru, Premier has managed to turn out an impressively complete and enjoyable album, saying that he felt guided by Guru's spirit during the creative process.
The album's second single "Bad Name" features a funky hip hop groove from Premier underpinning catchy, critical bars from Guru. Making the track extra special, Guru's son plays his father in the music video in tribute, even going as far as to cut off his dreads to look more like him. Check it out below.