Gil Scott-Heron was an American poet, musician, and cultural voice whose fusion of jazz, soul, blues, and spoken word reshaped modern music. Emerging in the early 1970s, his sharp lyricism and rhythmic delivery laid the groundwork for hip-hop and neo-soul, earning him the title “the godfather of rap.” Known for his incisive social commentary and collaborations with musician Brian Jackson, Scott-Heron’s work—both musical and literary—continues to influence generations of artists with its honesty, urgency, and enduring human insight.