Gilbert “Gil” Scott-Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011) was an African-American soul and jazz poet, musician, and author, known primarily for his work as a spoken-word performer in the 1970s and 1980s.

His music, most notably on the albums Pieces of a Man and Winter in America in the early 1970s, influenced and foreshadowed later African-American music genres such as hip hop and neo soul. Scott-Heron is considered by many to be the first rapper/MC ever. His recording work received much critical acclaim, especially one of his best-known compositions, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”.

Scott-Heron died on the afternoon of May 27, 2011, at St. Luke’s Hospital, New York City, New York, U.S.