Gil Scott-Heron

US singer, spoken-word, activist and author of Black American (maternal) and Jamaican (paternal) descent.

Born: April 1, 1949 (Chicago, IL, USA)

Died: May 27, 2011 (New York, NY, USA)

American poet, musician, and author known for his 1970s and 1980s work as a spoken word soul performer and his collaborative work with musician Brian Jackson, featuring a musical fusion of jazz, blues and soul music, as well as lyrical content concerning social and political issues of the time, delivered in both rapping and melismatic vocal styles. The music of these albums, most notably Pieces of a Man and Winter in America in the early 1970s, influenced and helped engender later African-American music genres such as hip hop and neo soul. Scott-Heron’s recording work is often associated with black militant activism and has received much critical acclaim for one of his most well-known compositions “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”.