One of the Best Yet

One of the Best Yet serves as a dignified, deeply felt final chapter in the Gang Starr story. Released on 1 November 2019, the album reunites DJ Premier with the voice of Guru through previously unreleased and posthumous vocals, offering a closing statement that honours both the duo’s legacy and their unmistakable chemistry. It arrives sixteen years after their last studio album together and nine years after Guru’s death, yet it sounds purposeful, cohesive and grounded in intent.

The album was shaped with care and patience. After years of legal and personal complexity surrounding Guru’s unreleased recordings, DJ Premier committed himself to building a final Gang Starr album in early 2018, crafting new beats around Guru’s acappellas. The result is a project that feels considered rather than reconstructed, rooted firmly in the sound and values that defined Gang Starr at their peak.

Premier’s production is characteristically precise and understated, leaving room for Guru’s measured delivery and sharp perspective. Across its concise runtime, the album balances reverence with momentum, moving smoothly between reflective moments and harder-edged tracks. Guest appearances are chosen thoughtfully, with contributions from J. Cole, Royce da 5’9″, Talib Kweli, M.O.P. and Q-Tip reinforcing the sense of lineage and respect surrounding the project. “Family and Loyalty” stands as a centrepiece, embodying the album’s themes of trust, endurance and mutual regard.

Critically, the album was received as a meaningful addition to the Gang Starr catalogue, praised for its production quality and emotional weight. Many noted how naturally the record sits alongside the duo’s earlier work, capturing flashes of the conversational flow and grounded authority that defined their best material.

One of the Best Yet does not attempt to rewrite history or modernise its sound unnecessarily. Instead, it offers something rarer: a final release that feels faithful, intentional and complete. It stands as a testament to Gang Starr’s influence and to the enduring bond between Guru’s voice and DJ Premier’s beats, closing the book with clarity and respect.