One of hip-hop's most celebrated MCs is reportedly in a coma after suffering a cardiac arrest

This article is more than 10 years old

This article is more than 10 years old

Rapper Guru is reported to be in a coma after suffering a heart attack yesterday (Sunday 28 February). The 43-year-old is set to undergo surgery today at a hospital in New York.

The rapper's condition was confirmed by DJ Premier, his partner in the seminal hip-hop group Gang Starr, in a phonecall to radio show Hip Hop Nation yesterday. He is reported as ssaying: "Guru is in a coma and will go under surgery tomorrow afternoon."

Guru, born Keith Alam, rose to prominence as an MC in the 80s. Known for his distinctive voice and intelligent rhymes, he released a string of hits with Gang Starr, including Words I Manifest, Just to Get Rep and Full Clip.

The duo were reportedly on indefinite hiatus after 2003 album The Ownerz, with Guru and DJ Premier giving conflicting messages about their future. However, Guru recently hinted on Twitter that he and DJ Premier were set to release new Gang Starr material imminently.

Guru is best known for his work on Jazzmatazz, a hip-hop and jazz fusion project that has yielded four albums and numerous tours. The group's booking agent confirmed that a number of forthcoming Jazzmatazz live dates have now been put on hold.