Gilbert "Gil" Scott-Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011) was an American soul and jazz poet, musician, and author, known primarily for his work as a spoken word performer in the 1970s and '80s. His collaborative efforts with musician Brian Jackson featured a musical fusion of jazz, blues, and soul, as well as lyrical content concerning social and political issues of the time, delivered in both rapping and melismatic vocal styles by Scott-Heron. His own term for himself was "bluesologist", which he defined as "a scientist who is concerned with the origin of the blues." His music, most notably on 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.Besides influencing contemporary musicians, Scott-Heron remained active until his death, and in 2010 released his first new album in 16 years, entitled I'm New Here. A memoir he had been working on for years up to the time of his death, The Last Holiday, was also published, posthumously in January 2012.His recording work received much critical acclaim, especially one of his best-known compositions "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". His poetic style has influenced every generation of hip hop.
On his music: It's something that's aimed at the kids. I have kids, so I listen to it. But I would not say it's aimed at me. I listen to the jazz station.
3
On his work inspiring rap: I don't know if I can take the blame for it.
He was born in Chicago, Illinois but raised in Tennessee and New York. His mother was a librarian and English teacher. His estranged father was a Jamaican soccer player.
6
He won a scholarship to the Fieldston School in the Bronx where he was one of five black students in a class of 100. He went to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.
7
He was a longtime resident of Harlem in New York City.
performer: "Whitey on the Moon" / writer: "Whitey on the Moon"
Dope
2015
performer: "Home Is Where The Hatred Is" / writer: "Home Is Where The Hatred Is"
Fresh Dressed
2015
Documentary performer: "Whitey On The Moon" / writer: "Whitey On The Moon"
Waterloo Road
2013
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
2013
performer: "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" / writer: "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"
Luther
2013
TV Series performer - 1 episode
15M: Málaga Despierta
2013
Documentary writer: "La revolución no será televisada"
11.6
2013
performer: "Me and the Devil"
Misfits
2011
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
True Blood
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2011 writer - 1 episode, 2011
Runaway
2010/I
Short performer: "Lost in the World", "Who Will Survive in America" - uncredited / writer: "Lost in the World", "Who Will Survive in America" - uncredited
State of Play
2009
performer: "B-Movie" / writer: "B-Movie"
Grand Theft Auto IV
2008
Video Game performer: "Home Is Where the Hatred Is" / writer: "Home Is Where the Hatred Is" - as G. Scott-Heron
Narc
2005
Video Game performer: "The Bottle" / writer: "The Bottle"
The Weather Underground
2002
Documentary performer: "Winter In America" - as Gil Scott Heron
Undercover Brother
2002
performer: "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" / writer: "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"
The Hurricane
1999
performer: "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" / writer: "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"
Neighborhoods: The Hidden Cities of San Francisco - The Fillmore
1999
TV Movie documentary performer: "WINTER IN AMERICA" / writer: "WINTER IN AMERICA"
$9 Million
