S. Samuel
The family of late rapper Keith "Guru" Elam has released a statement on losing their loved one earlier this week due to a battle with cancer.
Guru’s sister, Patricia Elam, detailed the rapper’s medical complications in a press release.
“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,” it read. “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. from The Elam Family.” (Press Release)
Predicting his death, Guru allegedly prepared a letter addressing his legacy.
“I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world,” he wrote. “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…My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody’s feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be his accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on own. I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway 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…” (Dime Wars)
However, this letter was criticized by rap entertainers like Questlove and Just Blaze who claimed Guru was not physically able to write it out.
“so guru had time to write this statement while he was in a coma/dying/dead?,” producer Just Blaze wrote. “@JustBlaze yeh and strangely he seems to use the exact same phrases as his “brother, friend and partner” Solar does in his statement…. @JustBlaze And he felt it necessary to diss on Premo as his last words? I don’t buy that sh*t. hope homie is enrolled in witness protection…@rachel1029 ive sat next to a few deathbeds.. and no ususally it is the exact opposite. man…” (Just Blaze’s Twitter)
Guru’s producer, Solar, later responded to the critics and claimed the letter was authentic.
“Guru made this statement from his own mouth and anybody saying different is insane with Hate! (via @solar_7grand),” he wrote Tuesday (April 20) afternoon. (Solar’s Twitter)
Check out Raekwon speaking on Guru’s legacy down below:
