The Untelevised Revolution: A Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron (VIDEO)

On May 27th, poet/singer/songwriter/activist Gil Scott-Heron passed away at the age of 62. Scott-Heron, perhaps best known for his spoken-word piece "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," released a plethora of records during the 70's, most of them combining jazz, soul, and funk music with socially conscious lyricism focusing on race, poverty, and social injustice. Although he never became hugely successful commercially, Scott-Heron has been called the "The Black Bob Dylan" and, perhaps more significantly, "The Godfather of Hip-Hop." Though it may be loosely defined, the latter nickname still holds importance because it conveys Scott-Heron's palpable influence on Modern America and suggests that his voice is indeed a cornerstone of American urban culture. Below is some of Scott-Heron's work, a mixture of music and poetry that helped define the sound and language of a new cultural generation.