Gang Starr’s MC Guru Dies at 43

MC Guru of the rap duo Gang Starr died on Monday of cancer-related causes. The 43-year-old had surgery a month ago after a heart attack; he made a name for himself in the late 1980s when he formed Gang Starr with DJ Premier. In a farewell letter he wrote in the hospital, Guru said, "I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world," it begins. "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.” However, he had harsh words for his former partner Premier: "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 seven years and want nothing to do with him in death.”