Here's why Guru was a genius and it's evident on this song. Other rappers rapping about crime are usually boasting, as if they're the ones out there doing the stick-ups. Guru is playing a character in a street drama. Never bragging, just telling you a story. Gangstarr was always deeper than your basic rap act. Maybe that's because Guru was older...who knows. But damn he was a genius.
GURU aka God is Universal Ruler of the Universe He’s the narrator or commentator of what’s happening on the streets or in society. He talks about perspectives on human dilemmas, and explores the impacts these dilemmas have on human behaviour, and human relations and ties it in with a moral philosophical lesson to teach us real wisdom. His music is really religious hymns hence his name guru
+furkannn2000 It must be underground because that is where I go to hear real intelligent, jazz mixed beat's with message's not designed to destroy you and your neighborhood. Notice I said neighborhood not Hood. I like the intelligent rapper's like,Guru who played along side a few jazz great's in his music, the rappers back then knew real beats so jazz great's like Roy Ayers and McCoy Tyner would play with him and other rappers, plus their message was not the ignorant N____G message of today, but I do like Lupe Fiasco's 1st CD,plus he stood up to Obama in the 2012 election and was thrown off the stage because he told the truth.
TheNorthman1957 That's one long ass story about nothing. Kendrick is arguably the most respected and famous rapper at the moment and TPAB & GKMC were both really ''intelligent'' albums.
May I also guess your age? 16-20 years thinking that hiphop is dead and thinks that he is a special snowflake now that he listens to nas and big l. And I did not understand what you were trying to say because you wrote a story about nothing. Intelligent rap was always there, you maybe have to look for it a bit more but a few mainstream artists still have it. And I don't think you know the meaning of no pun intended. TheNorthman1957
I didn't see any promotion for this album when it came out so you can imagine the pleasant surprise I got when i went to the record store and saw Hard To Earn on the shelf. Didn't need to hear a single, it was a Gang Starr record, I copped it immediately. No hesitation and no thought involved. Took it back to the dorm room and studied it with my man Leo. Good times, RIP GURU.
Man, I was probably 14, when this dropped. I grew up in Denver,, Co.. It wasn't hitting mainstream, but mix tapes were coming in from cousins, aunties, and uncles...Hip Hop finds a way.
@@darrellglover493 They both "produced" the song but i think that DJ Premier did the "beat" part. Hard To Earn credits : "All songs produced by DJ Premier and Guru" "All songs mixed by DJ Premier" . Guru is half of Gang Starr so he gets some production credits, like Prodigy on The Infamous.
@@arko25x Full clip compilation credits: Produced by Guru and co-produced by DJ Premier. This is not said in any other track on that compilation Guru has also done F.A.L.A. and Make Em Pay and She Knows What She Wants as the actual producer on Gang Starr tracks. Guru originally produced this track for some TV show about epidemic of car theft prior being decided to be put on Hard To Earn. Preemo reprogrammed the drums.
I listen to big daddy kane, Guru,rRakin everyday because it like reading a book full of sort sorry.I love there words play,and there positivity, it's like I'm adic addicted to music, lol but from the start in 79 when they were booming trains,doing back spins on cardboard box,and having rap battles for $100,bottles of wine, and the most important there rep🙏🏾✊🏿💯☮🕉
REAL HIP HOP IS STILL HARD THAN EVER. just check these dudes music. Conway, Benny the butcher, Westside Gunn, Eto, Flee Lord, 38 spesh, Apollo brown, marco polo . Marciano, etc..etc..etc.. a whole movement of Real Hip Hop. 90s hip hop is the Gold era but don't stay behind. Enjoy and support the new generation making the same type of Hip Hop
That Monk Higgins - Little Green Apples sample that I always loved in this track sounds just like the sad piano music that is played on every sad scene on The Underground Railroad series on Amazon, Nicholas Britell - It’s Time. I hope I am not the only one that noticed it, love GangStarr.
Take this for example young brothers want rep Cause in the life they're living, you can't half step It starts with the young ones doing crime for fun And if you ain't down, you'll get played out son So let's get a car, you know, a fly whip Get a dent, pull a screwdriver, and be off quick With a dope ride, yeah, and a rowdy crew We can bag us a Benz and an Audi, too Even a jeep or a van, goddamn, we're getting ours, yo Take a trip up the strip, and be like stars so It doesn't matter if the cops be scoping They can't do jack, that's why a young brother's open To do anything, anywhere, anyplace Buckwild in another court case It's the code of the streets They might say we're a menace to society But at the same time I say "Why is it me?" Am I the target, for destruction? What about the system, and total corruption? I can't work at no fast-food joint I got some talent, so don't you get my point? I'll organize some brothers and get some crazy loot Selling D-R-U-G-S and clocking dollars, troop Cause the phat dough, yo, that suits me fine I gotta have it so I can leave behind The mad poverty, never having always needing If a sucker steps up, then I leave him bleeding I gotta get mine, I can't take no shorts And while I'm selling, here's a flash report Organized crime, they get theirs on the down low Here's the ticket, wanna bet on a horse show? You gotta be a pro, do what you know When you're dealing with the code of the streets Nine times out of ten I win, with the skills I be weilding Got the tec one dealing, let me express my feelings Guru has never been one to play a big shot It's just the styles I got that keep my mic hot Anf fuck turning my back to the street scene It gives me energy, so Imma keep fiends Coming, just to get what I'm selling Maybe criminal or felon dropping gems on your melon So keep abreast to the GangStarr conquest Underground ruffnecks, pounds of respect I've never been afraid to let loose my speech My brothers know I kick the code of the streets
Take the Williamsburg Bridge to McGuinness and Humbolt exit on the BQE, Once you exit, stay to the right, keep straight until you hit Kingsland Avenue, make a right, and then turn left on Debevoise Ave. I live in 50. WHAT...? YOU DON'T GO TO BROOKLYN THIS LATE AT NIGHT???!!!
Here's why Guru was a genius and it's evident on this song. Other rappers rapping about crime are usually boasting, as if they're the ones out there doing the stick-ups. Guru is playing a character in a street drama. Never bragging, just telling you a story. Gangstarr was always deeper than your basic rap act. Maybe that's because Guru was older...who knows. But damn he was a genius.
GURU aka God is Universal Ruler of the Universe
He’s the narrator or commentator of what’s happening on the streets or in society. He talks about perspectives on human dilemmas, and explores the impacts these dilemmas have on human behaviour, and human relations and ties it in with a moral philosophical lesson to teach us real wisdom. His music is really religious hymns hence his name guru
@Mr. A facts
right shit bro i had always seen the same
Guru was wise in a profound way
Enough respect to Guru & to you for listening too but if you think he was the only one doing that you must be from the suburbs
That was about as deep as I went with your Mum.
One of the best songs ever
Guru was a professor of the game. Top 5 without any doubt.
Mos Def..✨
INTELLIGENT RAP THAT DOES NOT EXIST TODAY !
yes it does
+furkannn2000 It must be underground because that is where I go to hear real intelligent, jazz mixed beat's with message's not designed to destroy you and your neighborhood. Notice I said neighborhood not Hood. I like the intelligent rapper's like,Guru who played along side a few jazz great's in his music, the rappers back then knew real beats so jazz great's like Roy Ayers and McCoy Tyner would play with him and other rappers, plus their message was not the ignorant N____G message of today, but I do like Lupe Fiasco's 1st CD,plus he stood up to Obama in the 2012 election and was thrown off the stage because he told the truth.
TheNorthman1957
That's one long ass story about nothing. Kendrick is arguably the most respected and famous rapper at the moment and TPAB & GKMC were both really ''intelligent'' albums.
+furkannn2000 I'm sorry you do not understand what I'm trying to convey. If you do not mind my I ask your age ? No pun intended.
May I also guess your age? 16-20 years thinking that hiphop is dead and thinks that he is a special snowflake now that he listens to nas and big l. And I did not understand what you were trying to say because you wrote a story about nothing. Intelligent rap was always there, you maybe have to look for it a bit more but a few mainstream artists still have it. And I don't think you know the meaning of no pun intended. TheNorthman1957
Guru will always lives on forever.
GANG STARR FOR LIFE!!!!!
Almost 20 years later, this song is still "tough"...
The scratch was so simply and perfect.
“It’s just the styles I got to keep my mike hot”….One of the best rhymes in Hip Hop history.
this joint here still has a profound effect on me.thank you guru and premo for for what the two of you brought to hip hop..peace
I didn't see any promotion for this album when it came out so you can imagine the pleasant surprise I got when i went to the record store and saw Hard To Earn on the shelf. Didn't need to hear a single, it was a Gang Starr record, I copped it immediately. No hesitation and no thought involved. Took it back to the dorm room and studied it with my man Leo. Good times, RIP GURU.
Man, I was probably 14, when this dropped. I grew up in Denver,, Co.. It wasn't hitting mainstream, but mix tapes were coming in from cousins, aunties, and uncles...Hip Hop finds a way.
One of my favorite old-school
Premo can make anything sound dope in a scratch.
My personal favorite from them. This beat is sick and Guru flows smooth as always.
I love you gang starr and rip gru 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 This one and maybe Mass Appeal are some of the greatest beats of all time.
90s Rap My Jam.....
Hahhahah Premier with the Columbia rain suit... miss those days 2019... Brooklyn stand up
R.I.P. GURU 😕
DAAMN PREMIER IS PURE 🔥.
Another fucking gem lost but never ever forgotten
RIP GURU.
R.I.P Guru you'll be greatly missed man, there would be no rapper like you to exist, I love this song! Really dope old school stuff here!
this track was so banging
Excellent song R I P Guru!!
So freaking Good. Still relevant in 2020!
This album is a classic R.I.P from Chi town
one of Premier sickest beats !
Guru actually produced this one.
@@darrellglover493 They both "produced" the song but i think that DJ Premier did the "beat" part.
Hard To Earn credits : "All songs produced by DJ Premier and Guru" "All songs mixed by DJ Premier"
.
Guru is half of Gang Starr so he gets some production credits, like Prodigy on The Infamous.
@@arko25x Full clip compilation credits: Produced by Guru and co-produced by DJ Premier. This is not said in any other track on that compilation
Guru has also done F.A.L.A. and Make Em Pay and She Knows What She Wants as the actual producer on Gang Starr tracks.
Guru originally produced this track for some TV show about epidemic of car theft prior being decided to be put on Hard To Earn. Preemo reprogrammed the drums.
Premo-- Is the sickest Dj. That Guru is fucking cold with his verses. R.I.P. Love Gang Starr.
Wow another beautiful few minutes in heaven, thanks Guru xxx
I listen to big daddy kane,
Guru,rRakin everyday because it like reading a book full of sort sorry.I love there words play,and there positivity, it's like I'm adic addicted to music, lol but from the start in 79 when they were booming trains,doing back spins on cardboard box,and having rap battles for $100,bottles of wine, and the most important there rep🙏🏾✊🏿💯☮🕉
The Goat, this is my favorite Gang Stsrr jam!!!
✊✨ Probably one of the best feelings for a producer like Premo was to be able to have a MC like Guru to get in the lab with...
CAN YOU SAY. G.O.A.T. GURU WAS WAY B4 HIS TIME ......LISTEN TO THE STORIES HE TELL ....
hard to earn was his best!
I grew up to this.
I'll Never Been Afraid To Let Loose My Speech....My Brother's Know , I Kick The Code Of The Streets.....Bars
Pure freshness.
REAL HIP HOP IS STILL HARD THAN EVER. just check these dudes music.
Conway, Benny the butcher, Westside Gunn, Eto, Flee Lord, 38 spesh, Apollo brown, marco polo . Marciano, etc..etc..etc.. a whole movement of Real Hip Hop. 90s hip hop is the Gold era but don't stay behind. Enjoy and support the new generation making the same type of Hip Hop
I F*** with all'a these guys...and they are great
i grew up on that! Do you remember when this was the brandnew!? luv it, still.
Old but it feels so fresh!
Still flowing thru time r.i.p guru🙏🔥
Primo smashed the Melvin Bliss on this track. 💥💥💝
This my shit the sample they used for this is lovely too
extremely hip hop
Respect always..
Once i lost my memory card of my phone, (actually i ruined it accidentally) since 2012 i'm looking for that track! Thank you body!
What a coincidence I downloaded this on my memory card a few days ago
Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal and Preemo raised to the top!
2019!!!! Who is with me?
Even though I'm from the south in North Fla love guru music Gang Starr 4 life
old skool all dam day
Lets hope so.
Facts
Cool fact:
That black mustang about to be jacked was redesigned in 1994!!!!!
Real HIP HOP
#Classi dis frfr one love to all of gang starr still bangin' in #2021 frfr #Icons
That Monk Higgins - Little Green Apples sample that I always loved in this track sounds just like the sad piano music that is played on every sad scene on The Underground Railroad series on Amazon, Nicholas Britell - It’s Time. I hope I am not the only one that noticed it, love GangStarr.
my lighter stole itself. 😒
Quality hip hop
RIP with your monotone style Guru
This song deserves 2B PLUS views
Listening to this in my 98 mustang🚙
R.i.P guru
this is perfect wit all the protest in streets.
Like if you can spot Jeru tha Damaja!
...and Big Shug.
The Big Rasta Hat (if I'm not mistaken). Lol. My era. One Love! Googling where they got that fly ass sample from. Crazy.
R.i.P Tupac Shakur
i love the picture of the old lady walking through the thugs....
“Can’t go UPTOWN (HARLEM), CAN’T GO TO BROOKLYN!”
1:10-1:20 is what we hope hop fans call representin'
I have hard to earn on disc I ordered it on ebay for like 6 bucks mmm I don't regret it!
LEAVE IT TO PREEMO FOR A DOPE BEAT!🔥
Take this for example young brothers want rep
Cause in the life they're living, you can't half step
It starts with the young ones doing crime for fun
And if you ain't down, you'll get played out son
So let's get a car, you know, a fly whip
Get a dent, pull a screwdriver, and be off quick
With a dope ride, yeah, and a rowdy crew
We can bag us a Benz and an Audi, too
Even a jeep or a van, goddamn, we're getting ours, yo
Take a trip up the strip, and be like stars so
It doesn't matter if the cops be scoping
They can't do jack, that's why a young brother's open
To do anything, anywhere, anyplace
Buckwild in another court case
It's the code of the streets
They might say we're a menace to society
But at the same time I say "Why is it me?"
Am I the target, for destruction?
What about the system, and total corruption?
I can't work at no fast-food joint
I got some talent, so don't you get my point?
I'll organize some brothers and get some crazy loot
Selling D-R-U-G-S and clocking dollars, troop
Cause the phat dough, yo, that suits me fine
I gotta have it so I can leave behind
The mad poverty, never having always needing
If a sucker steps up, then I leave him bleeding
I gotta get mine, I can't take no shorts
And while I'm selling, here's a flash report
Organized crime, they get theirs on the down low
Here's the ticket, wanna bet on a horse show?
You gotta be a pro, do what you know
When you're dealing with the code of the streets
Nine times out of ten I win, with the skills I be weilding
Got the tec one dealing, let me express my feelings
Guru has never been one to play a big shot
It's just the styles I got that keep my mic hot
Anf fuck turning my back to the street scene
It gives me energy, so Imma keep fiends
Coming, just to get what I'm selling
Maybe criminal or felon dropping gems on your melon
So keep abreast to the GangStarr conquest
Underground ruffnecks, pounds of respect
I've never been afraid to let loose my speech
My brothers know I kick the code of the streets
"9 times outta 10 I win with the skills I be wieldin"
#prophetic
Take the Williamsburg Bridge to McGuinness and Humbolt exit on the BQE, Once you exit, stay to the right, keep straight until you hit Kingsland Avenue, make a right, and then turn left on Debevoise Ave. I live in 50.
WHAT...?
YOU DON'T GO TO BROOKLYN THIS LATE AT NIGHT???!!!
Fire
philly dope cus.. bangeing up st fools.. hat on but metal jacks..
Keith E.
Bro I hacked and buisness is buisness fair up front I had all kinds of ppl til I finally learned
My heart got so heavy when they stole that mustang, Im driving that thing right now and it's my baby
0:07 Where you guys wanna go? BROOKLYN. ☹☹☹☹
2019 Germany Hamburg
wanna hear 2deep
No Frisbees!
The only other mc on the same level as rakim... rip
#classic i meant my bad im high .....
Premo LACED this track.
Keith Elam-GURU...
One of the best songs ever