Gang Starr MC Guru Passes Away At 43

Roughly a month after undergoing surgery following a heart attack, Gang Starr MC Guru has died at the age of 43. According to a statement released by his friend and producer Solar, Guru died of cancer-related causes on Monday after a long fight with the disease. The rapper suffered cardiac arrest on March 2 and had been in a coma, but it was unknown that he also was fighting cancer.

"The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all-time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru," Solar said. "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."

Solar also released a letter that Guru had written to fans that was to be released upon his death. In the letter, Guru talks about his non-profit organization and distances himself from his ex-Gang Starr partner, DJ Premiere.

"I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world," it begins. "I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. 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. 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."

The letter also states, "I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name, likeness, events, tributes etc. connected in any way to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason, and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ."

In addition to his work with Gang Starr, Guru released a series of CDs called Jazzmatazz that fused Hip-Hop with Jazz, Soul and R&B. The albums featured collaborations with Jazz icons such as Branford Marsalis, Donald Byrd, Roy Ayers and Ronny Jordan, and singers such as Erykah Badu, Macy Gray, Isaac Hayes and Angie Stone.   - Report by FMQB