If you read the heading and said who, then you need to sit down and listen up as Gil Scott Heron has been rapping since before rap began. Now I’m not saying that hip hop wouldn’t have been born without him, but the early militant sound would definitely have been less revolutionary without poet, author and musician.
After the jump we’ll give you a quick run down of what makes this man so important, and why you should go see him while you can. But the first thing you need to know is that his dad played for Celtic. No really.
Gil was last due to perform in Ireland in 2001, but was busted in a Harlem crack house around the same time and ended up serving a one to three for his troubles. His first album in 16 years, I’m New Here was released in February 2010, and borrows from everyone from Robert Johnson to Kanye West.
If you’re new to Gil’s work, start here with his 1971 call to arms, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.
From there you can really stop at any point in his discography to find some gems. If you’re looking for an album to get into start with 1971’s Pieces of a Man which contains the Kanye/Common sampled, Home Is Where the Hatred Is.
Jumping forward over twenty years will take you to Message to the Messengers, where Gil provides some choice advice to rappers that need to learn before they can teach.
Wrapping up with a track from his new album, Me and the Devil is a cover of Me and the Devil Blues by Robert Johnson, a song from 1938.
Gil Scott Heron plays Tripod this Sunday, 2nd May at 8pm. Tickets start at €25.50 for standing and €32.50 for balcony seating.
