THE ICON - GIL SCOTT-HERON
Published: Music Australia Guide #73, February 2010.
In The Icon we profile those who change music. This month, Dan Rule explores the canon of soul poet, spoken word activist and hip hop forefather Gil Scott-Heron.
The scope of Gil Scott-Heron’s influence can’t be measured via his contributions to the music alone. In a career that has spanned four decades and over a dozen studio albums, the 61-year-old poet and master lyricist not only foreran one of contemporary music’s most significant and revolutionary movements, but was a key voice of black American activism throughout the 70s. His social critique catch call of “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” – from his 1970 debut Small Talk at 125th and Lenox, recorded by legendary jazz producer Bob Thiele – has entered the vernacular.
Scott-Heron’s life has revolved around the word. Born Gilbert Scott-Heron in 1949 in Chicago, he spent his early years in Tennessee before moving to the Bronx with his mother during his early teen years. His experience of the decaying, poverty and crime-choked New York borough changed him irrevocably. He began putting pen to paper, recording the palpitating rhythms of the street in raw, agile phraseology. He wrote his first collection of poetry at 13 and released his infamous debut novel The Vulture in 1968 as a 19-year-old.
Considered one of jazz and soul’s most important figures, Scott-Heron worked with some of America’s greats. But while his longstanding collaboration with composer, producer and pianist Brian Jackson produced several popular records throughout the 70s – including Free Will (1972), Winter in America (1974), The First Minute of a New Day (1975) – and his work with producer/composer Malcolm Cecil and Nile Rodgers (of legendary disco band Chic) took him to the top of the RnB charts in the 80s, Scott-Herron was never interested in commercial recognition. His work represents a proclamation from the street, a call to action and empowerment, a pithy reflection of black life in a white America; it is the progenitor and catalyst for political rap. Hip hop would not exist in its contemporary form without him.
Whilst a brilliant mind, recent decades have revealed a troubled man. Having virtually disappeared from the music scene following his 1994 album Spirits, Scott-Heron was gaoled in 2001 and later in 2007 for cocaine-related offences. Rumours that he is HIV-positive have circulated but remain unconfirmed.
Scott-Heron continues to be creatively active nonetheless. After being approached by producer and XL Recordings owner Richard Russell whilst imprisoned, Scott-Heron and Russell went onto record the brilliant, grit-scarred new album I’m New Here. Speaking to MAG of the experience, Russell described working with Scott-Heron as nothing short of inspirational.
“Gil has always been a radical and his music has always been radical and pushed the boundaries,” he said. “I feel like this record continues that tradition.”
“The thing with Gil is that while there has been a long hiatus between records, he’s never made a bad record. A lot of artists can get a bit corny as they get older; the edges go. But that’s never, ever happened to him.”
I’m Here Now is out now via XL/Remote Control
Visit: gilscottheron.net
