Following last week's passing of poet/author/musician Gil Scott-Heron, a number of entertainers have paid their final respects to the celebrated icon.
On Saturday (May 28), we read the heartfelt message from XL head Richard Russell, who released the artist's final album I'm New Here, praising Scott-Heron's "fierce intelligence, and a way with words which was untouchable; an incredible sense of humour and a gentleness and humanity that was unique to him."
Over the weekend, more artists weighed in on the legend on their Twitter accounts and blogs, whether they were tipping their hats to his trailblazing, proto hip-hop work, his four decades of gorgeous, experimental jazz music, or just to mention they will always remember the icon.
"RIP Gil Scott-Heron. He influenced all of hip-hop," Eminem tweeted. Other hip-hop notables like Ghostface Killah posted, "Salute Mr. Gil Scott-Heron for his wisdom and poetry! May he Rest in Paradise. #Respect." Lupe Fiasco added, "Awww man...sad day...RIP Gil-Scot Heron...May God have mercy on your soul! #WinterInAmerica #RevolutionWillNotBeTelevised."
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea tweeted, "Ahhhh Gil Scott-Heron.... Man......R.I.P. What a beautiful dude, been listening to him a lot lately too....god bless his soul," while the Beastie Boys weighed in with a simple blog post, "Gil Scott-Heron R.I.P."
Public Enemy leader Chuck D posted, "RIP GSH..and we do what we do and how we do because of us. And to those that don't know tip your hat with a hand over your heart & recognize."
Talib Kweli, meanwhile, got a little more personal, recalling a moment spent with Scott-Heron. "I met Gil Scott Heron at SOBs in 1993, I went to see him perform. He completely influenced me as an artist," he said before posting samples of Scott-Heron's work on Black Star and Kanye West tracks.
As for Thom Yorke and Radiohead, they posted a list of tunes they're listening to in "the office" on their home page, with Scott-Heron's "Running" collab with Jamie XX topping the list.
But comedian Sarah Silverman perhaps had both one of the most heartfelt and racy tributes to the fallen Scott-Heron. Regardless, it seems as if she'll always hold a spot for the musician deep inside her bosom. "RIP Gil Scott Heron who mirrored ugliness w beauty audacity& valor. I just named my boobs Whiteyonthemoon," she tweeted.
For more info on Scott-Heron's impeccable career, check out Exclaim!'s Timeline on the artist here.
On Saturday (May 28), we read the heartfelt message from XL head Richard Russell, who released the artist's final album I'm New Here, praising Scott-Heron's "fierce intelligence, and a way with words which was untouchable; an incredible sense of humour and a gentleness and humanity that was unique to him."
Over the weekend, more artists weighed in on the legend on their Twitter accounts and blogs, whether they were tipping their hats to his trailblazing, proto hip-hop work, his four decades of gorgeous, experimental jazz music, or just to mention they will always remember the icon.
"RIP Gil Scott-Heron. He influenced all of hip-hop," Eminem tweeted. Other hip-hop notables like Ghostface Killah posted, "Salute Mr. Gil Scott-Heron for his wisdom and poetry! May he Rest in Paradise. #Respect." Lupe Fiasco added, "Awww man...sad day...RIP Gil-Scot Heron...May God have mercy on your soul! #WinterInAmerica #RevolutionWillNotBeTelevised."
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea tweeted, "Ahhhh Gil Scott-Heron.... Man......R.I.P. What a beautiful dude, been listening to him a lot lately too....god bless his soul," while the Beastie Boys weighed in with a simple blog post, "Gil Scott-Heron R.I.P."
Public Enemy leader Chuck D posted, "RIP GSH..and we do what we do and how we do because of us. And to those that don't know tip your hat with a hand over your heart & recognize."
Talib Kweli, meanwhile, got a little more personal, recalling a moment spent with Scott-Heron. "I met Gil Scott Heron at SOBs in 1993, I went to see him perform. He completely influenced me as an artist," he said before posting samples of Scott-Heron's work on Black Star and Kanye West tracks.
As for Thom Yorke and Radiohead, they posted a list of tunes they're listening to in "the office" on their home page, with Scott-Heron's "Running" collab with Jamie XX topping the list.
But comedian Sarah Silverman perhaps had both one of the most heartfelt and racy tributes to the fallen Scott-Heron. Regardless, it seems as if she'll always hold a spot for the musician deep inside her bosom. "RIP Gil Scott Heron who mirrored ugliness w beauty audacity& valor. I just named my boobs Whiteyonthemoon," she tweeted.
For more info on Scott-Heron's impeccable career, check out Exclaim!'s Timeline on the artist here.
