I was still trying to 'digest' Gil Scott-Heron's 'WE'RE NEW HERE' (with Jamie xx), released a few weks ago, when I learned he passed away on May 27.
The long-lost Seventies rap pioneer rasps his way through an acoustic version of a SMOG ballad. He turns indie-rock melancholy into the darkest, deepest country blues. (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-songs-of-2010-20101214/gil-scott-heron-im-new-here-19691231)
Tributes have been pouring onto Twitter ever since news of Scott-Heron's death hit Friday night. "RIP Gil Scott-Heron," Eminem tweeted. "He influenced all of hip-hop." Public Enemy's Chuck D, who has long pointed to Scott-Heron as one his biggest influences, wrote this: "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."
He was an American poet, musician, and author, known primarily for his work as a spoken word performer in the 1970s and 80s, and for his collaborative soul works with musician Brian Jackson. His collaborative efforts with Jackson featured 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 by Scott-Heron. 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". His poetic style has been influential upon every generation of hip hop since his popularity began.[3] In addition to being widely considered an influence in today's music, Scott-Heron remained active until his death, and in 2010 released his first new album in 16 years, entitled I'm New Here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Scott-Heron
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