The family of the late rapper Guru, born Keith Elam, has issued a statement regarding his sudden passing this week. The 43-year-old rapper lost his battle with cancer on Monday, April 21, after being previously hospitalized for cardiac arrest. The family's statement is as follows:
"The Elam family wishes to thank the fans of our son/brother/father uncle/nephew/cousin Keith AKA Guru for the outpouring of love, concern and support.
Our hearts are broken by the loss of someone we loved so much. GURU was devoted to his young son, who will most keenly feel his absence. Guru suffered from multiple myeloma for over a year. Accrued complications from this illness led to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. As a result, GURU was in a coma from mid February until his death and never regained consciousness. Early on the morning of April 19th, he became hypertensive due to low blood pressure. He again went into cardiac arrest and slipped away from us.
Guru died far too young but he was, and we are, proud of all his many legendary musical contributions.The family is not aware of any foundations established by Guru. We know and understand that countless fans want to express their condolences and love and, to that end, we are planning a memorial event in the near future that will be all-inclusive. Please look for further details from the family as they become available."
In addition to releasing several solo albums beginning in 1993, Guru was half of the legendary hip-hop duo, Gang Starr, which also consisted of DJ Premier. Guru is regarded as one of the pioneers of the mid-80s hip-hop movement.
As a result, GURU was in a coma from mid February until his death and never regained consciousness.
As a result, GURU was in a coma from mid February until his death and never regained consciousness.
As a result, GURU was in a coma from mid February until his death and never regained consciousness.
Family Accuses Solar Of Mishandling Guru's Body; Memorial Date Set
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 10:50 AM | 15 comments
By Roman Wolfe
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(AllHipHop News) The family of deceased rapper Guru have announced plans to hold a public memorial in his honor.
Guru, born Keith Elam, died of cancer at the age of 43, on April 19th.
According to reports, the rapper was cremated shortly after the family came in possession of his body.
Plans for a memorial are being planned for July 17th, Guru's birthday,according to Guru's sister, Patricia Elam.
According to Patricia, the family is also planning to launch a website that honors Guru's legacy, while posting official information surrounding the emcee.
Meanwhile the family continues to criticize Guru's former partner Solar of mishandling the release off information surrounding Guru's health condition.
In a recent interview with MTV, Patricia said that Guru's nephew Justin heard about his uncle's health via the Internet, while Guru's nine-year-old son learned of his father's death over the radio, while riding in a car.
"[My son] Justin found out on the Internet and called me. I had to call my dad," Patricia told MTV News. "[Keith's 9-year-old son] KC found out riding in the car, hearing it on the radio. That's not right if you care about someone. That's not how you treat them. My brother would never have wanted us to find out that way. Never in a million years. Especially his son. Come on, now."
Patricia said that the body was released to Solar, who was acting as Guru's healthcare proxy.
Patricia labeled the experience a "nightmare" and revealed that Guru's brother had to call various funeral homes in search of the rapper's body.
"My son Justin was looking online and saw something that the body was going to be cremated," Patricia continued. "My father was calling the hospital looking for the body and they were like, 'We released it to the health-care proxy.' Luckily my other brother happened to be in New York on something unrelated and he started calling funeral homes in the area, if you can imagine. Fortunately the third one he called was the right one. He said, 'Listen, I'm the brother of Keith Elam, do not release that body to anyone but me.' Thankfully he was able to get there in time."
In an interview with HipHopDx.com, Solar's ex-girlfriend and former 7 Grand Records employee Tasha Denham lashed out at Solar over his abusive treatment towards Guru.
"There was one night we were at Guru's house," Denham said of an altercation between Guru and Solar.
"I was about three months pregnant at the time. Guru kept defending himself. Guru actually stood up and kind of got in Solar's face about it" Denham stated. "Next thing I know, Solar punched him in the face. From that point in time, he just started kicking him and hitting him.
Guru was fighting back, he wasn't just sitting there being a punk, but at the same time, Guru had severe asthma. He didn't have his inhaler. He started really hyper-ventalating and really having a hard time, and Solar kept beating him. It wasn't a fight anymore, it was beating him. I felt that it was so bad that I got in between the two of them and broke it up, because I knew he wouldn't hit me of course. At that point in time, I was pregnant with his child....that's probably one of the first times I was like, 'Wow, this relationship is really unhealthy. It's a really sick relationship.' After that, if I didn't physically see it myself...I saw [Guru] punched in the face numerous times with no provocation. It [would just be] that he'd get upset with something Guru would say and punch him in the face. I know he knocked a tooth out of Guru's. I know he gave him a black eye [so Guru would] have to wear glasses for photo-shoots and concerts."
@Solar_7Grand
Come to cali and you gone get a galaxy beatdown! Not a universal beatdown a galaxy beatdown! 22 minutes ago via UberTwitter in reply to Solar_7Grand
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