GIL Scott-Heron " Who Will Survive In America?" (Poster Print)

Soul poet, spoken word pioneer of jazz poetry, the “Godfather of Hip-Hop” Gil Scott-Heron has made over 38 albums that include best ofs and written 6 boks and countless poems. Public Enemy’s Chuck D hailed him as “the manifestation of the modern word”. One of the most extensively covered and sampled artists described himself as a “Black man dedicated to expression: expression of the joy and pride of Blackness”. He consistently delivered a commentary on the African-American experience, social injustice and political hypocrisy. Often alongside his main collaborator, the flute player Brian Jackson, Heron began his career on the Flying Dutchman label, made arguably his most famous album in 1974, “Winter in America” for Strata East (considered the forerunner for conscious soul), and then signed as the first artist to newly formed company, Clive Davis's Arista Records. Heron died on May 27th, 2011  and buried at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. The words printed on this piece are from his obituary and include the names of his honorary pallbearers.