Gil Scott-Heron was born in Chicago in 1949. A highly influential and widely admired singer, proto-rapper, jazz pianist, published poet, novelist and socio-political commentator, Scott-Heron was a unique and major figure in global music. With over fifteen albums to his name, his politically charged output has won him an international following. His work illuminates a philosophy of life that held human affection as well as political and artistic responsibility as the underlying factors that inspired his writing. Gil Scott-Heron spent more than thirty years opening eyes, minds and souls. He died in 2011.