Legendary Rapper Guru Dies After Battle With Cancer

Legendary rapper Guru has died of cancer-related complications at the age of 43. The rapper, whose real name is Keith Alam, had suffered a heart attack in February then lapsed into a coma.

Guru's friend and producer Solar mourned his loss in the statement, saying "The world has lost one of the best MCs and Hip-Hop icons of all time -- my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru! Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it but tragically this did not happen. The cancer took him."

Solar released a letter he said Guru had written while in the hospital. "I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year."

Guru appreciated Solar for being "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."

Guru referred to DJ Premier, who with Guru made up the rap duo Gang Starr as "my ex-DJ". "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." he said.

The rapper said about his series of "Jazzmatazz" albums, where he combined hip-hop and jazz. "I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz."