Keith Elam, better known as Guru and one half of the influential rap duo Gang Starr, has finally succumbed to cancer. Hospitalized since his heart attack on February 28th, he soon after fell into a coma. At 43 years old and after a long, exhausting year fighting the disease, he quietly surrendered and died on Monday night.

Longtime friend and collaborator, music producer Solar, notes that Guru was well aware of his losing battle, and had written a letter whilst in the hospital that was to be released upon his death. "I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world", he writes. "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... I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting" (the full version can be read here). This heartfelt 'death letter' to fans marks his final goodbye and sheds some light on his charity organization, Each One Counts, which will continue to serve abused and disadvantaged children and also educate and research the "terrible disease" that took his life. A large part of it is an homage to Solar, but notably missing is any mention of his Gang Starr partner, DJ Premier. According to MTV, Guru didn't even want his ex-collaborator to even participate in any tributes or events surrounding his death. "I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death", he coldly states.

Solar also issued a statement this morning, which touches on Guru's optimism over his affliction: "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. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius."

Born on July 17, 1966, Guru founded Gang Starr in 1985 with partner DJ Premier. With six albums to their name, including the 1998 commercial success and critically acclaimed Moment of Truth, the pair helped redefine the underground New York sound. Just as DJ Premier would go on to work with the biggest names in Hip Hop, Guru also found solo fame in 1993 when he released the first volume of what would be four albums of his all-star project, the Jazzmatazz series. Both members showing more interest in their solo careers, Gang Starr's last collaboration, The Ownerz, was released in 2003.