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

Soul poet and spoken word pioneer, the “Godfather of Hip-Hop” Gil Scott-Heron has made over 38 albums and written 6 books 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, he 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 and the political hypocrisy of U.S. institutions. Alongside his main collaborator, the flute player Brian Jackson, Heron began his career on the Flying Dutchman label and made arguably his most famous album in 1974, “Winter in America” for Strata East (considered the forerunner for conscious soul). He then signed as the first artist to newly formed company, Clive Davis's Arista Records. Heron died on May 27th, 2011  and was 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.