Ep 9. Gil Scott Heron

UnSung season 7 episode 9 focuses on the legendary poet, musician, and activist Gil Scott-Heron. The episode explores the life and musical career of the man often referred to as the godfather of rap. Scott-Heron was a trailblazer in the music industry, blending spoken-word poetry with jazz and funk rhythms to deliver biting social commentary.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1949, Scott-Heron was raised in Tennessee and later settled in New York City. He released his debut album, "Small Talk at 125th and Lenox," in 1970, which featured his signature track "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." The song was a scathing critique of the media's portrayal of black life and became an anthem for the Black Power movement.

Throughout the 1970s, Scott-Heron continued to release music that addressed issues of social injustice, police brutality, and drug addiction, among other topics. His albums, including "Pieces of a Man" and "Winter in America," were critically acclaimed and influential in the birth of hip-hop.

The episode features interviews with Scott-Heron's family, friends, and collaborators, including Chuck D, Stevie Wonder, and Umar Bin Hassan of The Last Poets. They discuss the impact Scott-Heron had on their lives and the music industry as a whole.

UnSung also delves into the challenges Scott-Heron faced, including drug addiction and financial struggles. Despite his immense talent, he was never able to achieve the commercial success that his peers did, and he often struggled to make ends meet.

The episode highlights Scott-Heron's activism and the role his music played in social justice movements. He worked closely with the Black Panthers and was an outspoken critic of police brutality and the prison-industrial complex.

Through archival footage and interviews, UnSung paints a vivid picture of Scott-Heron's life and legacy, examining the impact he had on music and culture both in the US and around the world. The episode pays tribute to an artist who was ahead of his time and whose contributions to music and activism continue to resonate today.