Gil Scott-Heron has died in a New York hospital after he fell ill when returning from a trip to Europe.
He has been called the Godfather of Rap for his spoken-word performances set to music, including The Revolution Will Not be Televised.
He has recorded over 15 studio albums, 11 compilation albums and 9 live recordings and artists such as Kanye West have been influenced by him. He was a voice for African-American activism, and strongly protested against apartheid and nuclear power.
In recent years he served prison time for drug possession.
Last year he released his first album in 13 years I‘m New Here.
R.I.P. to the great Gil Scott-Heron.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGaRtqrlGy8&feature=player_embedded
