Gil Scott-Heron, Spoken Word Legend, Soul, Jazz, and Rap Pioneer, Dead at 62

Legendary spoken word, soul, jazz and hip-hop pioneer Gil Scott-Heron has passed away at 62, according to a report by NPR Music.As of yet, no cause of death has been released. Scott-Heron is most widely known for his song "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." After spending time in jail...

By Jason P. Woodbury

May 27, 2011

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Legendary spoken word, soul, jazz and hip-hop pioneer Gil Scott-Heron has passed away at 62, according to a report by NPR Music.

As of yet, no cause of death has been released.

Scott-Heron is most widely known for his song "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." After spending time in jail for drug possession, he returned last year with I'm New Here on XL Recordings marking a comeback; last year he performed at MADCAP Theaters and the Coachella festival. Scott-Heron was featured on the closing track of Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. This year XL Records released a remix album of Scott-Heron material by Jamie xx titled We're New Here.

Scott-Heron's work influenced a multitude of genres, and many critics hail him as the "Godfather of Rap."

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Jason P. Woodbury is a music and pop-culture writer based in Phoenix. He is a regular contributor to the music blog Aquarium Drunkard and co-host of the Transmissions podcast.

Contact: Jason P. Woodbury

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Twitter: @Jasonpwoodbury