R.I.P. "The Godfather Of Hip-Hop" Gil Scott-Heron (1949-2011)

Legendary musician and poet, Gil Scott-Heron, passed away yesterday in a New York Hospital at the age of 62.  Deets inside....
Gil Scott-Heron, widely credited as "The Godfather of Hip-Hop" died at the age of 62 yesterday. Scott-Heron was critically acclaimed for writing the hit "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," which mixed poetry, politics, jazz, blues and soul.  His performance style, which combined the heavy use of percussion with spoken word, is widely credited as helping to shape hip-hop.
Jaime Byng, Gil Scott-Heron’s publisher in the UK, confirmed the death tweeting,

Just heard the very sad news that my dear friend and one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met, the great Gil Scott-Heron, died today. Gil Scott-Heron’s death is NOT a rumour. I just called by Dorothy who is staying with Aunt Mimi in NY to tell me the news. I’m so sad.

Although Gil was HIV positive and battled addictions to cocaine and other substances for most of his career, no official cause of death has been released.
Meanwhile, the folks over at Rap Radar have compiled a list of hip-hop artists reacting to Gil Scott-Heron's death and you can check it out here.

Listen to a Gil Scott-Heron classic here: