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May 28, 2011 Gil Scott-Heron By Mark Redfern

The influential poet and singer/songwriter Gil Scott-Heron, who rose to prominence in 1970s with such tracks as “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” has passed away today in New York City at the age of 62. The news was broken on Twitter by Jamie Byng, Scott-Heron’s U.K. publisher.

Byng first wrote:

“Just heard the very sad news that my dear friend and one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met, the great Gil Scott-Heron, died today.”

He then posted:

“Gil Scott-Heron’s death is NOT a rumour. I just called by Dorothy who is staying with Aunt Mimi in NY to tell me the news. I’m so sad.”

Two hours later he added:

“He’s gone for sure. He died around 4pm NY time at St Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital. just had a teary chat with Aunt Mimi. so sad”

Pitchfork confirmed the news with Scott-Heron’s publicist.

Scott-Heron released 14 studio albums between 1970 and 1994. He returned last year with I’m New Here, his first album of original material in 16 years, which was produced by Jamie xx of The xx. A remix of the album, We’re New Here, was released this past February and credited to “Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx.” Scott-Heron has been called “the godfather of rap” and “the black Bob Dylan” and has had a marked influence on hip-hop, being sited as an influence by the likes of Kanye West, who has sampled him (he’s also been sampled by Mos Def, Dr. Dre, MF DOOM, and others). The Roots’ Questlove simply posted on Twitter tonight: “Damn Gil. Rip.”

Below are some videos of his work:

“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” (audio only):

“The Bottle”:

“Angel Dust” (audio only):

“We Almost Lost Detroit” (live in London, 1990):

“I’m New Here” (2010):

“Me and the Devil” (2010):