On Sept. 20, hip-hop duo Gang Starr released the J. Cole-assisted "Family and Loyalty" track, marking their first single in over a decade. The unexpected drop ignited album rumors, which were fueled by subsequent Instagram teasers featuring a voicemail from Nas:
Fast-forward to mid-October, when DJ Premier unleashed "Bad Name," which also included posthumous vocals from his Gang Starr partner MC Guru, who died of cancer back in 2010. In conjunction with the song release, Premier announced Gang Starr's seventh studio album One of the Best Yet, their first project since 2003's The Ownerz.
"I never lost faith, or wavered. I still felt it inside of me, it just happened to be nine years later (after Guru’s passing)" Premier said about his decision to deliver another Gang Starr album. "We all want the things we want right now, but I am a patient guy. I hung in there and I just kept believing."
He continued: "This album means everything to me. It’s a continuation of what I never wanted to end. It’s a very foreign place for me and very emotional. I get happy, sad, excited; my feelings are kind of all over the place. But predominantly, just very happy to be making music with Guru again."
You can stream One of the Best Yet on platforms like Apple Music. The album features new production by Premier as well as guest appearances by Q-Tip, Ne-Yo, Royce da 5'9", and Talib Kweli.
