young guru
Young Guru Proves Jay-Z Did “God Did” Verse In One Take
Jay-Z recently set the rap world ablaze after the release of DJ Khaled’s latest album God Did, where he rapped for 4 minutes straight on the song of the same name. Fans and critics have called the verse one of Jay’s best of his career, and have called into question whether he actually did the verse in just one take.
Well, he did. And Hov’s engineer Young Guru recently posted to Instagram to show people that Hov did his verse in just one take. In the post he shared a picture of him and Hov in the studio and then the recording on the computer that shows Jay-Z unedited vocals.
“This is first and last time I’m gonna do this. I could care less if you believe me when I say that he did this @djkhaled verse in one take,” Guru wrote. ” Let’s be clear for the youth. Doing a song in one take is just a bonus of the level of talent. The song is what is important. You have to realize how much work is done before he goes in the booth.”
Guru went on to say “Questions like, “are these the right words”, “are you going in the right direction”, “is this the best flow” are all answered and addressed mentally way before you record. Then you say the verse over and over in teh control room to memorialize it. Does jay do EVERY verse in one take? No. But has he done A LOT of verses in one take? Hell yes!!! I have no reason to [cap]! Lookat the zoom in of the screen. There are no chops or breaks in that audio. This “I don’t believe you unless I see it” thing is foreign to me. So here is your proof. It doesn’t matter if you believed me….. God Did!!!”
Hov’s verse had been hyped up by DJ Khaled even before the release of the album. However, it seems like Khaled was right. Following the release of the song, Guru even broke down the double entendre’s Jay used in the verse.
Young Guru breaking down the verse on “God Did” | PT.2 pic.twitter.com/1jUmfldD1g
— Alex Odhiambo
(@LilTunechi__254) August 30, 2022
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Young Guru Explains How Recording Jay-Z’s ‘God Did’ Verse Was Different Than Ever Before
Last week, Jay-Z made a triumphant return to the forefront of the hip-hop discourse with an awe-inspiring verse on the title track from DJ Khaled’s new album God Did. For nearly four minutes, Jay flexes, reflects, proselytizes, and educates listeners with stunning wordplay and bodacious boasts which had rap fans on Twitter blown away.
On the day of the single’s release, Genius’ Rob Markman posted several clips from an extended discussion he had with Jay-Z’s longtime engineer Young Guru about the song’s creation. In the course of the discussion, Guru breaks down the hidden meanings behind some of the lines, which he says have multiple levels. Beyond just being clever puns, he says, Jay also makes references to the workings of his inner circle which only his closest associates are meant to catch.
Hov went from “I made more millionaires than the lotto did” to “How many BILLIONAIRES can come from Hov’s crib?” @Young_Guru @The_SummerMan @djkhaled #Goddid pic.twitter.com/RxCZjmMS8F
— Rob Markman
(@RobMarkman) August 26, 2022
Of course, fans wanted more, prompting Markman to ponder dropping the full video, which he did yesterday.
Fuck it ima just upload that whole talk with me @Young_Guru and @The_SummerMan
— Rob Markman
Naturally, the extended cut is home to even more gems, as Guru explains how recording this Jay-Z verse was different than ever before. While it has long been known that the Brooklyn rapper doesn’t write his raps and often records them in one take, Guru says he was floored by Jay’s hunger to lay this one down.
“This one was different because normally, we’ll sit down, we’ll do a song, its three verses, two verses or whatever, and he’ll have a verse and then we’ll figure out what’s next,” he says. “He’s spitting the verse to me — one take. He’s literally asking me, ‘Guru, put the beat on.’ I’m like, ‘Khaled didn’t send me the beat. You didn’t send me the beat. Send me the beat.’ So then he sends me the joint and I started trying to loop it. He was just like, ‘No, no, no, hit Khaled and get the whole instrumental,’ so he could spit the whole verse.”
You can watch the full talk in the video above.
Young Guru Epitomizes ‘Real Talk Drives Real Change’ Campaign With New Director Position at Roc Nation School
Young Guru’s production prowess stretches beyond the boards and booth. While the Grammy winner’s work has earned the praise as the “most famous and successful engineer in the history of Hip-Hop,” he continues to add to his legendary palette.
The Grammy Award winning engineer recently joined Gia Peppers’ award winning podcast, “More Than That with Gia Peppers” for a campaign initiative entitled, Real Talk Drives Real Change. Presented by Chevrolet, Urban One and Dentsu, the platform ignites “conversation to be both held and heard to enable actionable change resulting in true progress.”
The campaign kicked off last month in Washington, DC behind the theme: “Higher Education Access.”
The event came on the heels of Young Guru’s announcement as the newest director of Roc Nation’s School of Music, Sports & Entertainment.
Guru took to Instagram to announce his position as the Director of the Music Technology, Entrepreneurship, & Production program at the Roc Nation School at Long Island University, Brooklyn.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am!! This chapter is called ‘Education,’” said Guru on Instagram.
“Education is a valuable platform to show talented students how to navigate the music industry, preserve music history, and share their culture with the world.”
In addition, students can apply to receive “Full tuition scholarships‘ to the program as well. Guru’s position perfectly aligns with the campaign. The scholarships serves as one of many catalysts for higher education access.
The Real Talk Drives Real Change initiative continues throughout the Summer and beginning of fall. Each city will discuss a different theme to expand on how to drive the change. In Washington D.C. the theme was Higher Education Access. The upcoming tour dates will focus on “Policy & Justice Reform, Mental Health Awareness and Financial Freedom.
With over 25 years in the music industry, Young Guru continues to drive and represent change for the next generation in more ways than one.
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Young Guru Joins Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment
Long Island University today announced Grammy Award-winning audio engineer and producer Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton has joined the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment as Director of the Music Technology, Entrepreneurship & Production program.
The Roc Nation School and Young Guru also announced a full-tuition scholarship to be awarded to one highly qualified student. Apply for the scholarship today, here.
Keaton is an accomplished music producer, record executive, audio engineer and DJ who works with the music industry’s top artists, spanning from JAY-Z to Rihanna to Mariah Carey. He has garnered multiple Grammy nominations, and in 2019 Keaton won a Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album for mixing the album Everything Is Love by The Carters.
Keaton co-founded and co-leads the label Jamla, which houses Grammy-nominated and critically acclaimed lyricist Rapsody, and newcomers Reuben Vincent and Ian Kelly.
“Education is a valuable platform to show talented students how to navigate the music industry, preserve music history, and share their culture with the world,” Keaton said. “Joining the Roc Nation School is an incredible opportunity to offer my experience as a guide for up-and-coming artists and producers.”
Keaton previously served on the faculty of the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music as an artist-in-residence and has lectured at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Music and Emory University.
“The Roc Nation School is the premier destination for the next generation of professionals in the music industry who have the opportunity to learn directly from top executives and artists,” said Long Island University President Kimberly Cline. “We are thrilled to welcome Young Guru to the Roc Nation School’s leadership team. His decades of experience and expertise in the music business will be an incredible asset to the school.”
The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment offers undergraduate degrees in applied music; music technology, entrepreneurship and production; sports communication and marketing; and vocal performance. It also offers a BS, MS and PhD in sports management.
Keaton joins a growing roster of exceptional artists and industry elites such as super producer 9th Wonder, visiting professor and artist in residence at the Roc Nation School, who teaches courses in hip-hop history and the making of an album.
The Roc Nation School Speaker Series features nationally and internationally recognized speakers who are invited based on their expertise and accomplishments providing Roc Nation School students with incredible opportunities to interact with these global leaders. Recent speakers include:
· Andrew Gould: VP, Music Publishing, Roc Nation
· Adam Silver: NBA Commissioner
· Don Garber: MLS Commissioner
· Desiree Perez: CEO, Roc Nation
· Michael Rubin: Executive Chairman, Fanatics; 76ers Partner
· Keith Sheldon: President, Hard Rock
· Bernadette McGlade: Atlantic 10 Conference Commissioner
· Jon Platt: CEO, Sony Music Publishing
· Adam Petrick: Global Director of Brand and Marketing, Puma
Roc Nation Hope Scholarships provide 25% of enrolled students with full tuition and individualized support and mentorship. The Roc Nation Hope Scholars are selected from a pool of academically competitive, first-time freshmen with the highest need.
International sportswear brand PUMA announced the establishment of the PUMA Hope Scholarship Fund for students in the Roc Nation school. Previous scholarship opportunities have also been sponsored by NBA Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball and artist Megan Thee Stallion.
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[WATCH] Cedric The Entertainer Talks Appearing On Jay-Z’s ‘Threat”
JAY-Z’s 2003 The Black Album boasted a myriad of guest appearances. Still, one of the most memorable yet uncredited appearances was “King Of Comedy” Cedric The Entertainer in between Hov’s verses on “Threat.”
While a guest on William “Fuzzy” West and Quincy Harris’ FAQ Podcast, the 58-year-old comedian explained how he talked his way into an appearance on the album after a chance meeting with Jay=Z in New York.
“It was random,” he said. “I was in there, watching him do his thing. The Black Album was his last album so I pitched him an idea. He was on his way out and I was like, ‘Yo man, I’ve been having this funny idea of doing the Beverly Hills Cop thing with you. He was like, ‘Oh, that’s funny. I like that. But I’m working on this song called ‘Threats’ that I need somebody just threatening people on.’ I was like, ‘Aiight!’ So then he left and it was me and [Young] Guru. I just went in there and freestyled that shit! Just was making it up, having a good time.”
Young Guru and the song’s producer, 9th Wonder, recall the recording session with Cederic The Entertainer, with Guru adding on social media, “@cedtheentertainer man we had a great time making that song,” he wrote. “First off I was super excited that @9thwonder had the possibility of making the album. @cedtheentertainer is really a ‘King of Comedy’ because he did at least 30 minutes of complete freestyle. That night was one for the books.”
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