Steve Mason has paid tribute to Gang Starr rapper Guru, who has died.

Guru passed away on Monday (April 19) following a year-long battle with cancer. He was 43.

Mason, a life-long fan of hip-hop, told Gigwise he was “very sad” about the rapper’s death.

“DJ Premier and him, they were all killer and no filler that band, they were fucking brilliant,” he said.

“He (Guru) was a great lyricist, [he had] great delivery - he had one of those great rap voices that you knew straight away it was him just because of his flow and his distinctive voice.”

Mason, former frontman of The Beta Band, is currently promoting his new solo album ‘Lost & Found’, which is released on May 3.

Fans can listen to the record, which was produced by Mason and Richard X, on the singer’s official website now.

(by Jason Gregory)