R.I.P. Mr. Gil Scott-Heron

photo via ilistensoyoudonthaveto.com

Gil Scott-Heron, the legendary soul music singer and often considered "forefather" of rap music, has passed.  He was 62 years old.

Best known for his 1970's politically and racially charged spoken-word composition The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, Scott-Heron's career was experiencing a resurgence as of late.  His 2010 album I'm New Here was critically acclaimed, and collaborations with contemporary artists such as Blackalicious, Reflection Eternal, and Jamie XX have brought his music and style to a new generation.  

His work has also been notably sampled by Kanye West, who used elements of Scott-Heron's

"Comment #1" on the closing track "Who Will Survive in America" from the My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album.  West also sampled the track "Home Is Where the Hatred Is" on "My Way Home" from his Late Registration LP.

-Turnbull