Musiq World Order

The legendary rapper Guru, one half of the influential hip-hop duo Gang Starr, has died at 43.Guru, whose real name was Keith Elam, had been battling cancer and suffered a heart attack on Feb. 28. Following surgery, he fell into a coma.

His death was announced on the DJ Premier Blog site. Premier and Guru made up the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, which released six albums between 1989 and 2003. Guru went on to release a series of "Jazzmatazz" albums featuring collaborations with Cortney Pine, Roy Ayers and Kool Keith.

The statement also includes a letter, apparently written by Guru and passed to friend and producer Solar, that would appear to maintain a beef Guru had with Premier.

A statement on the DJ Premier Blog site said: "Guru has passed away yesterday morning (April 19) after a long battle with cancer.

"According to Solar, Guru suffered from the malicious illness for over a year and after numerous special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed, the legendary MC succumbed to the disease. Guru always tried to keep this harrowing diagnosis in private but in early 2010 he had to admit himself to hospital due to serious effects caused by the disease."

"I can't believe it... RIP Guru," said a post on the DJ Premier Twitter page.

Former Hot Boys member Turk is reaching out to his fans for support after his younger brother was gunned down in New Orleans.

Ronald Smith, the rappers brother, was found by police after a pedestrian noticed a body that had been shot several times, lying on the ground behind a Daiquiri shop.

Turk who has been incarcerated for 6 years stated that he is very hurt and saddened by the loss of his little brother and best friend, but even more so that he is unable to help his mother during this time of tragedy:

“My little brother and I were as close as brothers can be and it hurts me to lose him at such a young age, but as a man I must be strong. I have been in jail now for over 6 years and there's not much I can do.  My mother is mourning over the loss of her youngest child and over the fact that there is no insurance or funds to arrange the proper burial.”

It has been reported that authorities have a suspect in custody, 19 year old Travis Dennis, who has already admitted to the shooting.

In addition to support from family, Turk recently sent out a message to the media asking fans for financial help after his tragic family loss.

“I am asking for you to get the word out and to also help financially in any way you can” Turk pleads.   “Any donations can be sent to me at the Shelby County Jail by Western Union and for those who know me personally funds can be given directly to my mother Ms. Pamela Smith.”

Fans wishing to help contribute to the services can do so via Western Union:

Western Union Blue Quick Collect Form

Pay to: SSC

Code City: Cobra Cash, FL

Account# 2M8115125virgil

Wetsern Union can also be done over the phone at 1-800-325-6000.

Turk is currently serving a twelve year sentence for an array of charges after shooting a Tennessee police officer in 2004. Turk was later convicted in 2005 on Federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a fugitive from justice in possession of a firearm, and an unlawful user addicted to a controlled substance in possession of a firearm.

If you would like to write to or send letters of condolence to Turk, use the address below:

Tab Virgil #8115125

201 Poplar 1A/12

Memphis, TN 38103

This is definitely a sad case, but the question on everyone's mind is where is Birdman?

With his protégé' Turk incarcerated and Lil' Wayne on his way in, the Cash Money Millionaire should be on the lookout for their families. As of press time there was no word on whether Birdman would be contributing to the aid of Turk's family, but only time will tell.

Nicki Minaj is very popular these days as the Young Money diva has been tapped to host this year's annual Rip The Runway special on BET alongside Pooch Hall, most known for his role as “Derwin Davis” on the TV show The Game.

The special, now in its sixth year, celebrates the connection between urban music and high end fashion.

This year's Rip The Runway is set to be taped this Saturday, February 27 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.   

The fashion showcase will also feature musical performances by Ludacris, B.O.B., Soulja Boy, Roscoe Dash, Janelle Monae and London bred R&B artist Estelle.

Rip The Runway is set to air on BET, March 15.

Priority Records' latest addition is going to work releasing a new project for his new home.

As previously reported Snoop was named the creative chairman for the record label allowing him to oversee the company's new projects just in time for its 25th anniversary.

He also released his latest project Malice In Wonderland through Priority Records.

Continuing with his new official duties, The Doggfather has released The Westcoast Blueprint, paying homage to some of the label's biggest hits.

Included on the project are tracks from Mack 10, Ant Banks, Kid Frost and the legendary late Eazy-E.

Of course Snoop himself is included on the project as he provides interludes and a track titled “Check Yo Self” featuring The Hustle Boyz.

The tracklisting and cover art  for the West Coast Blueprint is below.

1. Introduction To The West Coast Blueprint - Snoop Dogg

2. Eazy-Duz-It - Eazy-E

3. Act A Fool - King Tee

4. No One Can Do It Better - D.O.C.

5. Pay Ya Dues - Low Profile

6. La Raza - Kid Frost

7. Interlude (# 1) - Snoop Dogg

8. Alwayz Into Somethin' - N.W.A.

9. You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo - Yo-Yo Featuring Ice Cube

10. Check Yo Self - Ice Cube

11. Playaz Club - Rappin' 4-Tay

12. Interlude (# 2) - Snoop Dogg

13. Foe Life - Mack 10 featuring Ice Cube

14. I Got 5 On It - Luniz featuring Michael Marshall

15. The Evil That Men Do - Ras Kass

16. Gangstas Make The World Go Round - Westside Connection

17. 4 Tha Hustlas - Ant Banks

18. Nothin' But The Cavi Hit - Mack 10 & Tha Dogg Pound

19. Trust Me - Snoop Dogg Featuring Sylk E. Fine And Suga Free

20. Check Yo Self Interlude - Snoop Dogg

21. Check Yo Self - Snoop Dogg Featuring The Hustle Boyz

Rah Digga is back after seven years to drop a new track to prepare fans for a new album.

Hopefully it's really coming.

The Flipmode Squad Queen has linked up with Nottz to release “Warning Shots,” a track which gives us a taste of the old “Dirty Harriet.”

Although she pays homage to Lauryn Hill in the opening of the track, Rah Digga has made it plain that she is not to be messed with among the female MCs.

“Turn the blues to sunnys no more Hugh Hef Bunnies/ In this game new money if thirty's the new twenty/ Miss thirty to you honey, respect you elders, I'm that teacher who'll fail you/ F*ck around expel you.”

With all of the fire coming from the females in the game, 2010 just might be the year of the Female MC.

Former Cash Money Hot Boy Juvenile and his producer Leroy Edwards were arrested Thursday (February 25), for possession of marijuana.

According to reports, police responded to a call from a neighbor who reported that they smelled marijuana smoke coming from the rappers home.

When police arrived at the house, according to reports, they were not only greeted by Juve's producer who had a small amount of marijuana “on his person,” but a published report police states that “the presence of marijuana was strong” enough that it gave “probable cause” to search the rapper's home.

Upon their search, police discovered a small amount of marijuana in a kitchen drawer, which Juvenile stated belonged to him.

Authorities said Juvenile and Edwards were booked with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and both have posted bond.

With all of the issues surrounding rappers and drugs, it seems as if Dr. Drew is going to have to start a new season of celebrity rehab, aptly titled Hip-Hop Edition...SMH.

“We're gonna be moving from the Warner Bros. system to the Universal system.”

Port Arthur Texas Legend and one half of the legendary Under Ground Kingz, Bun B, has managed to keep the legacy of the late Pimp C alive with the release of 2008's II Trill and 2009's UGK For Life.

Now three years since the Pimp's death, Bun is announcing a new direction through a new label now that he's left Asylum Records for a spot at Universal.

He revealed the news to XXL saying,

“[This new situation] works better for me. I work better in the small system. When you're in the big system it's really about breaking you and exposing you and I think I've been able to build a career as far as just associating myself. We're pretty good with that in-house with Rap-A-Lot. But with Universal we are gonna use their distribution legs and promotional chain, because they do have access that we haven't been able to have before.”

When asked why he left his former home he tells XXL,

“[Asylum] helped me immensely over the last four or five years in my career as far as taking, me, myself and UGK to another level. It's just that the system in house changed. Todd [Moskowitz] got moved up to a higher position and it doesn't give me as much of an opportunity to be hand on hand on a lot of stuff.”

His next album Trill O.G. is set to hit stores in May.

Two years after 50 Cent's baby mama's (Shaniqua Tompkins) mansion went up in smoke; police have finally discovered a possible accomplice.

According to published reports, G-Unit associate and 50 Cent's assistant, Dwayne McKenzie is being accused by his ex-girlfriend, Shana Chin, of playing a role in the torching of the mansion.

The 5,200-square-foot home that was gutted by a suspicious fire was at the center of an antagonistic legal battle between the rapper and his former girlfriend.

According to Chin, she was dating McKenzie, who now lives at the multi-million-dollar mansion; and testified that McKenzie often carried a gun and had talked of torching a house that belonged to the rapper's

Dwayne Mckenzie

Once the report surfaced, McKenzie's attorney fired back, stating that Chin, who is currently suing McKenzie for damages and medical bills, is a greedy, fame-hungry woman out for money and the chance to meet rap stars.

McKenzie, who has yet to respond to the allegations personally, was also arrested in August of 2009 for allegedly assaulting another woman [not Chin] in 50 Cent's Long Island mansion.

According to many different sources rapper Guru has fallen into a coma after suffering cardiac arrest.

Details right now remain very slim, but sources have stated that the news was broken by Guru's sister.

Guru, who is a former member of the rap duo Gang Starr, is considered to be one of the pioneers of Hip-Hop/jazz crossovers. As more details are released, we will continue to bring you all the information regarding the situation.

Our prayers go to Keith "Guru" Elam and his family.

DJ Premier, the other half of Gang Starr called up Satelite XM radio station "Hip Hop Nation" and confirmed Guru's heart attack.

"Guru IS in a coma and will go under surgery tomorrow afternoon."

Now that Game has officially become the Doctor's Advocate once again and made his return alongside Dr. Dre on Aftermath records, the two have been steadily working on both of their upcoming projects together.

Apparently, there have come to be some stipulations in regards to Game and his upcoming album The R.E.D. Album, as delegated by Dre.

Sources are reporting that Game will not be allowed to throw any disses at 50 Cent on the album.  Their original falling out was allegedly, in part, due to the beef that had brewed between Game and 50 after he was kicked out of G-Unit.

Well, if that's not what we call being “sonned” than what is?

This would, however, go to show that Dre isn't actually teaming with Game again to deliver a bitter jab towards 50 as some may have speculated before.

Rumors have been circulating that the relationship between 50 Cent and Dre isn't what the media portrays and it is only through Eminem why the two are able to co-exist. 

In regards to such statements, neither side has issued a statement, but Dre working on Before I Self Destruct and 50 reportedly on Detox should be an indication that the two are playing nice.