It goes without saying that Gang Starr is one of the most important figures in hip-hop history. With Guru’s effortlessly relaxed cadence and nuanced rhyme schemes gliding over DJ Premier’s jazz-tinted instrumentals, it is hip-hop in its truest essence. One emcee and one DJ trade energies to create mystical moments of literary prowess and genre-fusing anthems that sound as pure live as it does on records. Of all their albums, Gang Starr’s 1998 release Moment of Truth feels like the crown jewel of their career. The duo’s chemistry exited the atmosphere on highlights like “Robin Hood Theory” and “Above the Clouds”, but no song showcases their shared vision quite like “You Know My Steez”. For today’s Golden Age Thursday, we take a look back to 1998 when Guru and DJ Premier took over BET for an infectious performance of their hit “You Know My Steez”.
