On my radar currently is the lost of a musical, author and poetic GENIUS, Mr. Gil Scott-Heron! We lost a great man on May 27, 2011.
I remember it like it was yesterday. The night was hot, humid and sweaty. I was in a drunken dance daze listening to the DJ continuous pump jams into the air and through my body like an airbourne drug! I took a breather to rest upon the black leather couch in a Harlem nightclub and I heard the DJ play an unfamiliar sound. The beat was awesome! The voice which penetrated my ears caught my full attention. I made my way to the DJ booth, asked him, "Yo! What was that song you just played?" He gave me a weird look. Asked how old I was and where I was from. Then told me, "Baby, that was Gil Scott-Heron!" Then he proceeded to put back on his headphones and produce more mind elevating beats in the atmosphere.
Born in Chicago,Il, but raised in Tennessee and later relocating and calling home New York, Gil Scott-Heron was a poet, author and musician. He was known mostly for his work as a spoken word artist in the 70's and 80's. One song that he received critical acclaim for was The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. His musical style later came to influence hip hop and neo soul. He has been described by many as the "God Father of Rap". Which I believe to be true, since rap is basically poetry set to music.
Having over 20 albums under his belt Mr. Heron was unable to gain big commercial success because many black radio stations wouldn't play his songs. Also, he was not budging on his intense dislike for political and social injustice within the black community, and was not willing to sugarcoat anything. Having a few run in's with the law, coupled with battling drug addiction, Gil continue to make music. It was something that just came natural. His most recent recording was in 2010, "I'm New Here".
Although, he is a great musical genius the music scene has lost...we have gained yet another legend to add to our records of MUSIC, AUTHOR and POETIC history! You WILL be missed!
YO NIKKI'S FAVORITES
* The Bottle
* The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
* Home is Where the Hatred Is
* Winter In America
* Me and The Devil (2010 release)
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