R.I.P. Gil Scott-Heron

By Alex Young on May 27th, 2011 in News, R.I.P.

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Gil Scott-Heron

Gil Scott-Heron, the celebrated yet outspoken poet, musician, and author, died on Friday, according to his publicist. He was 62 years old.

Scott-Heron’s cause of death remains unknown.

Born in Chicago, Scott-Heron was largely credited as one of the leading influences of hip hop and neo soul. His 1970 debut, Small Talk at 125th and Lenox, was largely critical of middle class America, Black revolutionaries, and American consumerism and featured his spoken-word hit “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”.

Among Scott-Heron’s other accomplishments included his acclaimed 1972 collaborative LP with Brian Jackson, Free Will, his 1978 hit “Angel Dust”, which peaked at #15 on the R&B charts, and an appearance at the No Nukes concerts at Madison Square Garden in 1979. In the 1980s, Scott-Heron also toured extensively with saxophonist Ron Holloway.

Unfortunately, Scott-Heron’s later years were riddled with run-ins with the law. In 2001, he served eight months in prison for possession of cocaine. Then, in 2006, he served 10 months in prison, this time for violating a plea deal on a drug-possession charge by leaving a drug rehabilitation center.

However, within the last 18 months, Scott-Heron had made a comeback of sorts. He released an album entitled I’m New Here via XL Recordings last year, and he followed that up with a collaborative remix LP with Jamie xx. He was also sampled by Kanye West on the final track of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

This is a developing story….

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  • Vcky_nelson

    R. I P. from your number one fan and friend. You have always been and always stay near and dear to my heart. Vicky C

  • Vcky_nelson

    R. I P. from your number one fan and friend. You have always been and always stay near and dear to my heart. Vicky C

  • Dark786

    http://goo.gl/3IYATGil Was The Best … Saw Him At Glasto 1986

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZIRI32XPZFXBL6NYFUCCX5YESY Chris

    Two-hour radio program I hosted as a tribute to Gil Scott-Heron. Enjoy. Hour I: http://rel5.wrtc.streamrewind.com/bookmarks/listen/20284 Hour II: http://rel5.wrtc.streamrewind.com/bookmarks/listen/20285

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/RJIU62HXHPRE2VJI3ZQNEHJ7AY Rio Kid

    Cause of death unknown?  What is happening to Amerika?

    Actually, The Brother knows, and he wrote about it in his classic Winter in Ameriica. 

    Tornado in Missouri.  Nobody knows the number of dead.  

    Gil Scott’s cause of death? 

    Nobody knows. 

    But the Brother.  He was the Shit.

    RIP, Brother Gil.

  • DiscoNesi

    Glad i got to catch him at Coachella last year.  Wish I would have been smart enough to see the whole set, but I’ve enjoyed his music ever since.  RIIP

  • DiscoNesi

    Glad i got to catch him at Coachella last year.  Wish I would have been smart enough to see the whole set, but I’ve enjoyed his music ever since.  RIIP

  • DiscoNesi

    Glad i got to catch him at Coachella last year.  Wish I would have been smart enough to see the whole set, but I’ve enjoyed his music ever since.  RIIP

  • Asirus Ma’at El

    In Solute to the great lagecy of Gil Scot Heron: Verse: “Earth Quaking’ Foundaion Shaking’ Bias Breaking’ New Day Making’ ‘Change’ Acummulating’ Liberating’ Educating’ Stimulating’ ‘Change.’

    When you Really think about it’ it was artist like “Gil Scot Heron” who (laid the Foundation’ for our Political leaders, (President Obama), ‘our (Musical Icons)’ (Our influential figures in Education), African / Kametic Study Departments – on most (Major College Campuses). Gil, Was a Pioneer and (Formost Talent: Melodic, Instrumental, and Lyrical Skillz – With a Message of Life) in the Industry of Music. As an Artist; (Gil invited me down to SOB’s in Manhattan: After hearing me perforn @ the Apollo: an (Original Composition and some of his Music): on Gary Byrd’s (GBE) I Had dialogue with his whole band: his keyboardist (Kim Jordan): his drummer Ron: His Music Changed my Life – I met Gil on several occasions – Once @ The Apollo theater on Imhotep’s Gary Byrd’s Radio Broadcast (The Gobal Black Experience) The last time @ NYC’s Carnigie Hall: Where he shared the Marque with (Mos Def) As an Artist: Gil Scot Heron’s Music (Created my Nich – and Satisfied my Ich – and Ignited my Curiosity) for the Written and Spoken Word) I have a Chapter in my Brand New Book (The Mechanics of the Rhyme: History Book; Music Heritage) In tribute to the one and only (Gil Scot Heron) Available on Amozan.Com Author Asirus Ma’at El: “(Let the Universe’ – ‘Record ‘Gil’s’ Verse’ ‘Truth – Crushed to the Earth’ Will Rise Agan:) Amen Ra: Peace Hetep

  • Asirus Ma’at El

    In Solute to the great lagecy of Gil Scot Heron: Verse: “Earth Quaking’ Foundaion Shaking’ Bias  Breaking’ New Day Making’ ‘Change’ Acummulating’ Liberating’ Educating’ Stimulating’ ‘Change.’

    When you Really think about it’ it was artist like “Gil Scot Heron” who (laid the Foundation’ for our Political leaders, President Obama), ‘our (Musical Icons)’ (Our influential figures in Education), African / Kametic Study Departments - on most (Major College Campuses). Gil, Was a Pioneer and (Formost Talent: Melodic, Instrumental, and Lyrical Skillz - With a Message of Life) in the Industry of Music. As an Artist; (Gil invited me down to SOB’s in Manhattan: After hearing me perforn @ the Apollo: an (Original Composition and some of his Music): on Gary Byrd’s  (Global Black Experience) where i shared dialogue with his whole band: his keyboardist (Kim Jordan): his drummer Ron: His Music Changed my Life – I met Gil on several occasions – Once @ The Apollo theater on Imhotep’s Gary Byrd’s Radio Broadcast (The Gobal Black Experience) The last time @ NYC’s Carnigie Hall: Where he shared the Marque with (Mos Def) As an Artist: Gil Scot Heron’s Music (Created my Nich – and Satisfied my Ich) for the Written and Spoken Word) I have a Chapter in my Brand New Book (The Mechanics of the Rhyme: History Book; Music Heritage) In tribute to the one and only (Gil Scot Heron) Available on Amozan.Com Author Asirus Ma’at El:  “(Let the Universe’ - ’Record Gil’s Verse’ ‘Truth - Crushed to the Earth’ Will Rise Agan:) Amen Ra: Peace Hetep 

  • Anonymous

     a wordsmith is lost to the world…sad day

  • Josue

    this is terrible news. RIP :(

  • t.angel u.doniego

    a prayer to brother gil scot heron! a man of significant contributor to the african/american culture,history,struggle for freedom!!!how sad,i am of this tragic news!i’ve run out of words to discribe all of his contributions to our society!!!

  • Rtoriq

    i. canNOT. Believe. This. MAN! i mean he wasn’t young, but i just wished to have met him one more time to talk about music, life, in some old way, even tho it’s little ol me! Him and Stevie are my daily bread, my artistic comfort, my MOST ABSOLUTE BIGGEST musical/poetic inspirations. Wow. RIP my Biggest Influence.

  • Helgarde

    This makes me so sad. I hope he was without pain, too.

  • Carmen

    :(

  • http://profiles.google.com/trippyjob lee gordon

    Sad. Hope he died without pain. A great lyricist has gone.

  • Anonymous

    Oh no!