Guru on Repetition

Kurt Andersen and hip-hop artist Guru talk about how repeating words, images, and sounds draws us into a piece of art.

Guru (aka Keith Elam) is a rapper, composer, and musical chameleon. He is the lyrical half of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr and over the last two decades he’s collaborated with just about everyone — from jazz and funk legends Herbie Hancock and Isaac Hayes to vocalists Macy Gray and Erykah Badu. In 2001, Guru returned to his old-school rap roots with his new album Baldhead Slick and Da Click.