Famed Rapper Keith "Guru" Elam in Coma Following Heart Attack

Famed Rapper Keith "Guru" Elam, the MC for Brooklyn-based, jazz-tinged outfit Gang Starr suffered a heart attack over the weekend and is receiving treatment in a New York City hospital.
Rapper Guru, who rose to fame with pioneering group Gang Starr and later released a series of successful solo albums under the "Jazzmatazz" banner, is in a coma after suffering a heart attack and was to undergo surgery today (Mar. 1), according to a Sirius radio interview with his former partner in Gang Starr, DJ Premier.

Guru, whose real name is Keith Elam, has kept a low profile of late. The 43-year-old artist released a solo album, "Lost and Found," in May 2009, which ended a two-year break following his fourth Jazzmatazz album, "The Hip-Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future."

Gang Starr never officially broke up but hasn't been active in more than five years. Its last album was 2003's "Ownerz."
The news about Guru, -- first reported by hip-hop blogger and Hot 97 radio personality Miss Info-- broke late Sunday night. According to reports, he slipped into a coma and is scheduled to undergo surgery today.
"Guru is struggling with a serious health issue," said Solar, the rapper's longtime friend and producer. "We, the whole 7 Grand Records family, appreciate all your love and well wishes. We continue to hold out hope that Guru will make a full recovery from this."