Guru Switch! at Ministry of Sound live Switch! At Ministry has developed quite a rep among hip hop heads in recent times as the place to go on a Friday night. In the last few months alone it has attracted such names as Afrika Bambaataa, Kurtis Blow, Estelle, Klashnekoff, Grandmaster Flash, Cash Money, Maseo (of De La Soul) and Sway, to name but a few. Last week was no exception. The legendary Guru of hip hop super-duo Gangstarr made a one-off exclusive appearance, landing in London for a fleeting visit before jetting off to Hamburg the day after. No longer collaborating with DJ Premier, Guru has now hooked up with super producer Solar, who added his magic touch to the latest release, and who was also there on the night. Throughout the two hour long show, we were treated to new material from the album Guru Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures. Highlights included the infectious Step in the Arena 2 (I’m Sayin’), as well as the thought provoking street anthem Surviving the Game. We were also taken back to the old skool with such classics as Step in the Arena and Take it Personal, illustrating why Gangstarr are one of the most respected acts in hip hop history. Never really reaching the dizzy commercial heights of some of their contempories, throughout their 17 year career, they have nevertheless proven to be one of the most enduring, if underrated artists ever to grace our air-waves. Judging by tonight’s show, Guru is not going anywhere. While the mainstream market may be dominated by commercially-friendly acts like 50 Cent and Kanye, Guru proves that he’s got the staying power to deliver us true hip hop for years to come. The crowd stayed hyped throughout, and by the end of it, were ready for more. Luckily David Banner was in town and made a surprise guest appearance at 3am, so just as we thought it was all over, the party was getting started again. Providing a typically energetic show, the crowd went wild as he jumped across the stage and then dived into the sea of people, keeping the energy levels high throughout his performance. DJ Shortee Blitz was also there to lay down some heavy tunes until the 5am finish, and UK hip hop personalities like Killa Kella were spotted in the crowd. What’s so good about Ministry aside from the live performances is the laid back vibe, and the fact that you don’t feel like you have to turn up dressed to the nines to have a good time. You’re always guaranteed to hear the hottest selection of hip hop, from the latest release to classic old skool beats, as well as both US and UK flavour. Again Switch! delivers on every level, leaving us waiting for Friday to come round so we can do it all over again. Again Switch! delivers on every level, leaving us waiting for Friday to come round so we can do it all over again. - Anna Nathanson  Related Links: http://www.ministryofsound.com © ukhh.com 1999 - 2006