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Latest update: 28/05/2011
- culture - obituary - poetry - USA
US poet and songwriter Gil Scott-Heron dies at 62
American poet and songwriter Gil Scott-Heron has died at a New York hospital aged 62. Scott-Heron rose to fame in the 1970s for his compelling spoken-word performances such as "The Revolution Will Not be Televised".
By News Wires (text)
REUTERS - Gil Scott-Heron, a U.S. poet and songwriter credited with helping inspire the development of rap music, has died at age 62, according to media reports on Saturday.
Scott-Heron died on Friday at a New York hospital, National Public Radio said, citing his book publisher. He fell ill after returning from a trip to Europe, news reports said.
The Chicago-born artist was called the “Godfather of Rap”, a term he disliked, for his groundbreaking spoken-word performances set to music, including “The Revolution Will Not be Televised” in the early 1970s.
He recorded more than a dozen albums and was hailed as an important influence by hip-hop performers such as Kanye West. Considered a voice of African-American activism, Scott-Heron was also a musical critic of apartheid and nuclear power.
After serving a prison sentence for drug possession, Scott-Heron released an acclaimed album last year, “I’m New Here”.
Photo: Mikael Altemark
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Comments (2)
Gil Scott-Heron's Passing
Really, France 24, is this the best you can do??
Pour la colline.
Dans les
coeurs d'un
chant, dans les
souffles du pâle
soleil, dans le
triste sourire
d'une feuille
désolée: je sens
le matin, la
claire lumière
de l'éternité.
Francesco Sinibaldi
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