One of the most trenchant voices in American music fell silent yesterday, Friday May 27, with the passing of Gil Scott-Heron.
Reports confirmed that Scott-Heron had died St Luke's Hospital, New York, after falling ill on a return trip from Europe. His death brought to an end a troubled career that was blighted by personal turmoil and addiction, but which also saw the singer create some of the most influential music of the last 40 years.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 1, 1949, Scott-Heron moved to the Bronx in his teenage years. He grew up immersed in jazz and blues, penning two novels - The Vulture (1970) and Nigger Factory (1972) - as he embarked on his own musical career. The latter was characterised by his semi-spoken lyricism which manifested itself on his 1970 debut, Small Talk At 125th And Lenox.
His style evolved across landmark sets like Pieces Of A Man (which featured The Revolution Will Not Be Televised), Free Will (1972) and Winter In America (1974). These albums have all been acknowledged as an key influence on the burgeoning hip-hop scene of the late '70s and early '80s.
While Scott-Heron often succumbed to his own excesses (he was jailed for substance abuse on more than one occasion), his career had recently been revitalised by the release of his album, I'm New Here, in February last year. The LP was produced by XL boss Richard Russell, who convinced Scott-Heron to re-enter the studio and make a record that stands alongside some of his greatest work. We're New Here - a remix album produced by Jamie XX of The XX - followed earlier this year.
Scott-Heron's influence was such that, at the time of writing, a number of musicians began paying tribute to the man.
Public Enemy's Chuck D paid homage to Gil by stating on his Twitter page: "RIP GSH..and we do what we do and how we do because of you. And to those that don't know tip your hat with a hand over your heart & recognize."
Reports confirmed that Scott-Heron had died St Luke's Hospital, New York, after falling ill on a return trip from Europe. His death brought to an end a troubled career that was blighted by personal turmoil and addiction, but which also saw the singer create some of the most influential music of the last 40 years.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 1, 1949, Scott-Heron moved to the Bronx in his teenage years. He grew up immersed in jazz and blues, penning two novels - The Vulture (1970) and Nigger Factory (1972) - as he embarked on his own musical career. The latter was characterised by his semi-spoken lyricism which manifested itself on his 1970 debut, Small Talk At 125th And Lenox.
His style evolved across landmark sets like Pieces Of A Man (which featured The Revolution Will Not Be Televised), Free Will (1972) and Winter In America (1974). These albums have all been acknowledged as an key influence on the burgeoning hip-hop scene of the late '70s and early '80s.
While Scott-Heron often succumbed to his own excesses (he was jailed for substance abuse on more than one occasion), his career had recently been revitalised by the release of his album, I'm New Here, in February last year. The LP was produced by XL boss Richard Russell, who convinced Scott-Heron to re-enter the studio and make a record that stands alongside some of his greatest work. We're New Here - a remix album produced by Jamie XX of The XX - followed earlier this year.
Scott-Heron's influence was such that, at the time of writing, a number of musicians began paying tribute to the man.
Public Enemy's Chuck D paid homage to Gil by stating on his Twitter page: "RIP GSH..and we do what we do and how we do because of you. And to those that don't know tip your hat with a hand over your heart & recognize."
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