XXL's staff doesn't need a special occasion to bump some Gang Starr. Classics are always in heavy rotation here on Broadway. But today, on the one-year anniversary of Guru's death, there will be plenty of Gang Starr and Guru blaring from the cubicles. Two staffers were playing "Mass Appeal" and "Tonz of Gunz" at the same time just a few minutes ago. Here's a list of staff favorites. What's your favorite Guru song?— XXL Staff


Gang Starr "Just to Get a Rep," Step in the Arena (1991)
XXL Staff Bonus Pick


Gang Starr feat. Jeru the Damaja & Lil' Dap "I'm the Man," Daily Operation (1992)
"Love the joints where Preme flips three different beats. Guru's the man. Classic track!" —Jesse Gissen, Digital News Editor


Gang Starr "Ex to Next Girl," Daily Operation (1992)
"The wordplay was clever as hell. Plus the horns and the old Chi-Ali sample, it just all works together perfectly."—Khalid Salaam, Senior Editor


Gang Starr "Take It Personal," Daily Operation (1992)
"'You're like a daytime talk show, and that's low.' One of my favorite lines but the lyrics in general are crazy."— Nicole Lopresti, News Editor


Gang Starr "Soliloquy of Chaos," Daily Operation (1992)
"Could be Guru's most thoughtful songs ever."— NL


Guru feat. MC Solar "Le Bien, Le Mal," Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol.1 (1993)
"I was already up on MC Solaar when this came out so it was bugged out to see him collaborate with Guru. Not sure there's been such a dope bilingual collabo since." —Carl Chery, Digital Content Director


Gang Starr "Code of the Streets," Hard to Earn (1994)
"I feel like Preme really started honing his sound on this album. He became the game's most sought after producer after this LP, but still nothing compared to Guru rapping over his beats."—CC


Gang Starr "Dwyck," Hard to Earn (1994)
"Do we really have to justify this pick?"— XXL Staff Bonus Pick


Gang Starr "Mass Appeal," Hard to Earn (1994)
XXL Staff Bonus Pick


Gang Starr "The ? Remainz," B-Side to "Suckers Need Bodyguards" (1994)
"Again, I just love Gang Starr's B-sides." — CC


Gang Starr "Work," Moment of Truth (1998)
This joint always gives me a boost when I need some motivation. Hot beat, ill rhymes. "I'm doin' my thing now, to lamp later on/Paid in the shade, with some fly gators on/But now I'm grimey as they get, mud on my pants and shirt/I bet this n--- out here know, I be puttin' in work."— Adam Fleischer, Music Editor


Gang Starr feat. M.O.P. "B.I. Vs. Friendship," Moment of Truth (1998)
"The back and forth between Guru and M.O.P is so energetic on this joint. I relate to the anger of the song, how ironic it is that the people you trust the most sometimes turn on you.— KS


Gang Starr feat. Scarface "Betrayal," Moment of Truth (1998)
"Guru and Face both flow perfectly over this slow, drawn out beat. Both verses paint eerily vivid pictures of horrifying scenes of betrayal/tragedy."— AF


Gang Starr "Full Clip," Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr (1999)
"'I'll splatter your dreams, with lyrics that shatter your schemes.' Dope." — Mark Lelinwalla, Senior Editor


Gang Starr "Skills," The Owners (2003)
"There's no denying that Guru and Primo had skills in abundance and this head nodder put the put the naysayers in check."— Jesse Gissen


Gang Starr feat. Jadakiss "Rite Where U Stand," The Owners (2003)
"Guru going toe to toe with Jada." — ML
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