Gil Scott-Heron
Gil Scott-Heron was an influential American poet, musician, and spoken-word artist known for blending jazz, soul, and social commentary. Often called the "Godfather of Rap," he tackled issues like racism, addiction, and politics through his incisive lyrics.
Born on April 1, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois, to librarian Bobbie Scott-Heron and Jamaican soccer player Giles "Gil" Heron. He grew up partly in Jackson, Tennessee, where he helped integrate a local school, then moved to the Bronx, New York, attending DeWitt Clinton High School. By age 13, he had written his first poetry collection; at 19, he published his debut novel The Vulture (1968), a murder mystery exploring urban Black struggles.
Scott-Heron attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, meeting collaborator Brian Jackson and forming Black & Blues. He left briefly to write The Nigger Factory (1972), a novel about campus activism at a historically Black college. He earned an M.A. in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University in 1972, with thesis Circle of Stone, and later taught literature at Federal City College (now University of the District of Columbia).
Debut album Small Talk at 125th and Lenox (1970) featured "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," a seminal spoken-word track critiquing media and consumerism. He released over 15 albums, including Pieces of a Man (1971), Winter in America (1974), and Spirits (1994), often with Jackson and the Midnight Band, fusing jazz-funk with protest themes like poverty and drugs.
1980s releases like 1980, Real Eyes, and Moving Target continued his output amid personal struggles. Scott-Heron faced legal issues and addiction in the 1980s–2000s but made a late-career resurgence with I'm New Here (2010). He died on May 27, 2011, in New York from heart disease after years of health battles.
His work influenced hip-hop pioneers and activists; he supported efforts like Stevie Wonder's campaign for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Pieces Of A Man
2:59
A2 Save The Children
4:55
A3 Lady Day And John Coltrane
3:10
A4 Home Is Where The Hatred Is
3:15
A5 When You Are Who You Are
3:01
A6 I Think I'll Call It Morning
3:45
B1 Pieces Of A Man
4:22
B2 A Sign Of The Ages
4:05
B3 Or Down You Fall
3:08
B4 The Needle's Eye
4:01
B5 The Prisoner
8:39
Written by Gil Scott-Heron (tracks: A1 to A4), Gil Scott-Heron, Brian Jackson (tracks: A5 to B5)
Label: Flying Dutchman – FD 10143
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1971
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Soul-Jazz, Soul
Released in 1971, Gil Scott-Heron’s Pieces of a Man is a seminal soul-jazz masterpiece that blends socially conscious poetry with infectious grooves, featuring Brian Jackson on keys. It is widely recognized as a foundational, pre-rap album that influenced neo-soul, featuring iconic tracks like "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" and the poignant title track.
The album moves beyond simple spoken word into fully arranged, jazz-infused soul. It features tight backing, including drummer Bernard Purdie, creating a warm, sophisticated sound that contrasts with the urgent lyrical content.
Scott-Heron delivers incisive, heartbreaking commentary on urban life, racism, and personal struggles, including the raw emotion of "Home Is Where The Hatred Is" and the family-focused title track.
Key Tracks:
"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised": An iconic, satirical spoken-word piece.
"Lady Day and John Coltrane": An uplifting, jazz-infused tribute to musical healing.
"Pieces of a Man": A narrative song about the collapse of a family due to unemployment.
"Home Is Where The Hatred Is": A raw look at drug addiction and broken homes.
Considered a 5-star essential, it is often compared to Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On for its timely commentary, blending political awareness with deep, personal vulnerability.
The album is praised for its timeless relevance and remains a high point in 1970s soul music. Critics often cite the album as a major influence on hip-hop due to its lyrical style and rhythmic delivery.
While only modestly successful upon release, it has received unanimous retrospective acclaim, with the 50th-anniversary reissue rendered as a definitive version for modern listeners.
Real Eyes
Alto Saxophone – Stemsy Hunter
Music By, Lyrics By – Gil Scott-Heron
Trumpet – Harry Kim
Written-By – Gil Scott-Heron
4:46
A2 Not Needed
Words By, Music By – Gil Scott-Heron
Written-By – Gil Scott-Heron
3:55
A3 Waiting For The Axe To Fall
Music By, Lyrics By – Gil Scott-Heron
Written-By – Gil Scott-Heron
4:47
A4 Combinations
Arranged By [Horn Arrangements] – Carl Cornwell
Bass – Danny Bowens
Drums – Reggie Brisbane
Music By, Lyrics By – Gil Scott-Heron
Piano – Brian Jackson
Written-By – Gil Scott-Heron
3:37
B1 A Legend In His Own Mind
Alto Saxophone – Stemsy Hunter
Music By, Lyrics By – Gil Scott-Heron
Trumpet – Harry Kim
Written-By – Gil Scott-Heron
3:40
B2 You Could Be My Brother
Music By, Lyrics By – Gil Scott-Heron
Written-By – Gil Scott-Heron
6:21
B3 The Klan
Music By, Lyrics By – A Gray, D Gray
Written By – A & D Gray
4:48
B4 Your Daddy Loves You (For Gia Louise)
Music By, Lyrics By – Gil Scott-Heron
Written-By – Gil Scott-Heron
3:18
Label: Arista – AL 9540
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk
Released in 1980, Gil Scott-Heron’s Real Eyes is a politically charged R&B and soul-jazz album marking a transition in his career following Brian Jackson's departure. Featuring the Amnesia Express band, it blends sharp social commentary with soulful, sometimes slick production, highlighted by "Your Daddy Loves You" and "The Klan".
The album is noted for its R&B focus, with tight,horn-heavy arrangements. It is sometimes perceived as a step down in consistency from previous work, though it contains strong, poignant material. Co-produced with Malcolm Cecil, the sound is refined, with critical praise for Carl Cornwell's saxophone and flute work.
It is generally seen as a solid, if slightly uneven, effort in his extensive catalog, with some critics noting it feels more like a collection of songs rather than a cohesive concept.
The album addresses serious themes, including political commentary and personal reflection, featuring standout tracks like "Waiting For The Axe To Fall" and the deeply personal "Your Daddy Loves You (For Gia Louise)".
Real Eyes remains a testament to Scott-Heron's ability to blend urgent political messages with soulful melodies during a pivotal time in American history. Some critics viewed it as a slight "step down" in quality or "unfocused" compared to his early 70s masterpieces, others consider it his most complete and cohesive album due to the high standard of songwriting.
Despite being a high-quality release, it failed to produce a major hit, even as Scott-Heron promoted it as the opening act for Stevie Wonder’s Hotter Than July tour.
Reflections
Backing Vocals – Clydene Jackson, Julia Waters, Maxine Waters
Guitar, Guitar [Bubble Guitar] – Kenny Lazarus
Music By, Lyrics By, Arranged By [Horns] – Gil Scott-Heron
Percussion, Timbales, Co-producer [Timely Production Assistance] – Larry MacDonald
4:51
A2 Grandma's Hands
Arranged By [Horns] – Gil Scott-Heron
Written-By – Bill Withers
5:24
A3 Is That Jazz?
Music By – Glen Turner
Music By, Lyrics By – Gil Scott-Heron
3:43
A4 Morning Thoughts
Music By, Arranged By [Arrangement] – Vernon James
4:37
B1 Inner City Blues (Poem: "The Siege Of New Orleans")
Arranged By [Horns] – Gil Scott-Heron
Handclaps [Claptomaniacs] – Ethan Ivy, Greg Wright, Jeff Left, Otis White, Pierre Touge, Terry Later
Written-By – James Nyx, Marvin Gaye
Written-By [Poem: The Siege Of New Orleans] – Gil Scott-Heron
5:46
B2 Gun
Arranged By [Horns] – Kenny Sheffield
Music By, Lyrics By – Gil Scott-Heron
4:00
B3 "B" Movie
Music By, Written-By [Poem, Song], Arranged By [Horns] – Gil Scott-Heron
12:10
Label: Arista – AL 9566
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk, Funk
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Written-By – Scott-Heron
3:03
A2 Sex Education: Ghetto Style
Written-By – Scott-Heron
0:48
A3 The Get Out Of The Ghetto Blues
Written-By – Jackson
4:59
A4 No Knock
Written-By – Scott-Heron
1:27
A5 Lady Day And John Coltrane
Written-By – Scott-Heron
3:32
A6 Pieces Of A Man
Written-By – Jackson
4:59
B1 Home Is Where The Hatred Is
Written-By – Scott-Heron
3:18
B2 Brother
Written-By – Scott-Heron
1:42
B3 Save The Children
Written-By – Scott-Heron
4:22
B4 Whitey On The Moon
Written-By – Scott-Heron
1:26
B5 Did You Hear What They Said?
Written-By – Scott-Heron
3:25
Label: RCA – SF8428
Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: UK
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk, Disco