Several sources say that one of hip hop’s most influential emcees is presently in critical condition. Guru, one half of pioneering ‘80s, ‘90s and ‘00s Brooklyn-based hip hop group Gang Starr suffered a heart attack this weekend, according to his sister Tricia.

The emcee, born Keith Elam, is presently in a coma from complications of going into cardiac arrest, reported HipHopWired.com. He is best known for penning hits such as “Words I Manifest,” “Discipline,” and “Just to Get a Rep.” Guru (an acronym for Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal) founded Gang Starr, a duo with DJ Premier that also includes Gang Starr Foundation affiliates Big Shug, Group Home, Jeru Da Damaja, and Smiley Da Ghetto Child.

Born and raised in the Boston area, Guru relocated to Brooklyn in the late ‘80s, where Gang Starr released its first singles with 45 King as producer. By 1988, the group evolved as a duo with Premier, and released their 1989 full-length debut No More Mr. Nice Guy on Wild Pitch Records. The duo would go on to release classic albums on Chrysalis/Virgin/EMI, such as 1994’s Hard To Earn and 1998’s Moment Of Truth. Gang Starr’s last album, 2003’s The Ownerz featured Jadakiss, Fat Joe, and longtime affiliate Freddie Foxxx. The platinum group toured the world and released several greatest hits collections, most notably Full Clip: A Decade Of Gang Starr in 1999. The duo announced their split in 2004, reportedly due to creative and personal differences.

(article source: Hip Hop DX, image source: IGN)