R.I.P Guru...

Rapper Guru has died at the age of 43 after battling cancer, according to reports published online.

MTV.com says that the MC, whose real name was Keith Elam, died of "cancer-related causes" Monday after a "long fight" with the disease.

The singer also suffered cardiac arrest in March, but was said to have recovered after surgery.

Producer Solar, who was a friend and collaborator of Guru's, released a statement published in the report mourning the rapper's death.

"The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all-time -- my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru," he said. "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."

Guru founded Gang Starr in 1987, and built a sizable following in the early 1990s, releasing classic albums such as Step in the Arena (1991) and Daily Operation (1992).
R.I.P