Performer Notes

Gang Starr: Guru (rap vocals); DJ Premier (spoken vocals, keyboards, drum programming, scratches).
Additional personnel: Elijah Shabazz (spoken vocals); K-Ci, JoJo (vocals); Inspektah Deck, Hannibal, M.O.P., Big Shug, Freddie Foxxx, G-Dep, Shiggy Sha, Scarface, Krumb Snatcha (rap vocals); DJ Premier (scratches).
Recorded at D&D Studios, New York, New York.
Personnel: DJ Premier (keyboards, drum programming, scratches); Mark Spier (sampler).
Audio Mixer: DJ Premier.
Recording information: D & D Studios.
Photographer: Daniel Hastings.
On their fifth album MOMENT OF TRUTH, Gang Starr solidifes their position in the hip-hop arena. Lyrically and musically, Guru and DJ Premier have always been head and shoulders above the rest, but with MOMENT OF TRUTH, the duo's experience is both obvious and rewarding. Since their debut in 1989, Gang Starr have remained true to themselves, and as a result, prove to be one of the most street-credible rap groups around.
With Premier's amazingly creative production tactics and Guru providing lyrical education, Gang Starr can't lose. Premier's track record shows that any MC lucky enough to work with him automatically earns props, while Guru's monotone style forces listeners to pay close attention. See songs like "Above The Clouds" and "B.I. Vs. Friendship" to be schooled. No phony gimmicks, just raw straight-up hip-hop.

Professional Reviews

Spin (1/99, p.91) - Ranked #16 on Spin's list of "Top 20 Albums of '98."

Entertainment Weekly (4/24/98, p.78) - "...Guru's gravel-mouthed admonitions to wannabe MCs and first-hand insight into court battels are as evenly matched to DJ Premier's coveted turntable orchestrations as Satchmo's voice was to his horn..." - Rating: B+

CMJ (1/11/99, p.4) - "...Observe and acknowledge the way true hip-hop was meant to sound - raw yet refined, with beats powerful enough to blow your back out at the drop of a needle..."

The Source (5/98, p.145) - 4.5 Mics (out of 5) - "This is the record that hip-hop purists who have long been tired of the artform's commercial tendencies and lack of creativity have been savoring for....MOMENT OF TRUTH delivered the antidote to hip-hop afflictions..."

Melody Maker (4/11/98, p.44) - "...Gang Starr come over like the wise old uncles who've updated their sound, but softened it with interspersed bursts of swingbeat."

NME (Magazine) (4/11/98, p.39) - 8 (out of 10) - "...Rapper Guru and DJ Premier's reunification finds them returning refreshed to their original blueprint, making peerless hip-hop of class and quality..."