He began recording in 1970 with the LP Small Talk at 125th and Lenox with the assistance of Bob Thiele Flying Dutchman Records, co-writer Brian Jackson, Hubert Laws, Bernard Purdie (who later recorded "Delights of the Garden" with The Last Poets), Charlie Saunders, Eddie Knowles, Ron Carter and Bert Jones, all jazz musicians (see 1970 in music). The album included the aggressive diatribe against white-owned corporate media and middle-class America's ignorance of the problems of inner cities in songs such as Whitey On The Moon.
The 1971 Pieces of a Man used more conventional song structures than the loose, spoken word feel of his first, though he didn't reach the charts until 1975 with "Johannesburg". His biggest hit was 1978's "The Bottle", produced by Heron and longtime partner Brian Jackson, which peaked at #15 on the R&B charts (see 1978 in music).
In 2001, Gil Scott-Heron was sentenced to one to three years' imprisonment in New York State for possession of cocaine. While out of jail in 2002, he appeared on the Blazing Arrow album by Blackalicious. He was released on parole in 2003. On July 5, 2006, Scott-Heron was sentenced to two to four years in a New York State prison for violating a plea deal on a drug-possession charge by leaving a drug rehabilitation center. Scott-Heron's sentence was to run until July 13, 2009. He was paroled on May 23, 2007. The reason given for the violation of his plea was that the clinic refused to supply Scott-Heron with HIV medication. This story led to the presumption that the artist is HIV positive.
After his release, Scott-Heron began performing live again, starting with a show at SOBs in New York on September 13, 2007. On stage, he stated that he and his musicians were working on a new album and that he had resumed writing a book titled The Last Holiday, previously on long-term hiatus, about Stevie Wonder and his successful attempt to have the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. declared a federally recognized holiday in the United States.
He was arrested October 10, 2007, the day before a scheduled (but ultimately cancelled) second SOBs performance, on felony possession of cocaine charges. However, he has continued to make live appearances at various US venues during the course of 2008 and 2009, including further appearances at SOBs in New York. He has also stated in interviews that work is continuing on his new album, which will consist mainly of new versions of some of his classic songs plus some cover versions of other artists' work.
Having originally planned to publish The Last Holiday in 2003, before it was put on hold, Canongate Books now tentatively intend to issue it in January, 2011. The book was due to be previewed via a website set to be launched on April 1, 2009, but this did not appear.
Mark T. Watson, a student of Scott-Heron's work, dedicated a collection of poetry to Gil titled Ordinary Guy that contained a foreword by Jalal Mansur Nuriddin of The Last Poets. The book was published in the UK in 2004 by Fore-Word Press Ltd. Scott-Heron recorded one of the poems in Watson's book Black & Blue due for release in 2008 as part of the album Rhythms of the Diaspora by Malik & the OG's on the record label CPR Recordings.
Gil Scott-Heron released his new album I'm New Here on independent label XL Recordings on February 9, 2010. Produced by XL label owner Richard Russell, 'I'm New Here' is Scott-Heron's first album in thirteen years.The pair started recording the album in 2007, with the majority of the record being recorded over the last twelve months with engineer Lawson White at Clinton Studios in New York. In 2009, a new Gil Scott-Heron website, www.gilscottheron.net , was launched with a brand new track 'Where Did The Night Go' made available as a free download from the site.
In 2011, Scott-Heron released "We're New Here" a remix album which was a collaboration with Jamie xx, a member of the British indie band The xx. Scott-Heron died in New York City on May 27, 2011.
Message to the Messengers
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We was talkin' about television and doin' it on the radio
What we did was to help our generation realize
They had to get out there and get busy cause it wasn't gonna be televised
We got respect for you rappers and the way they be free-weighin'
But if you're gon' be teachin' folks things, make sure you know what you're sayin'
Older folks in our neighborhood got plenty of know-how
Remember if it wasn't for them, you wouldn't be out here now
All I'm sayin' is that you damn well got to be correct
Because if you're gonna be speakin' for a whole generation
And you know enough to try and handle their education
Make sure you know the real deal about past situations
It ain't just repeatin' what you heard on the local TV stations
...Sometimes they tell lies and put 'em in a truthful disguise
But the truth is that's why we said it wouldn't be televised
They don't know what to say to our young folks, but they know that you do
And if they really knew the truth...why would they tell you?
The first sign is peace, tell all them gun totin' young brothas
That the man is glad to see us out there killin' one another
We raised too much hell when they was shootin' us down
So they started poisoning our minds tryin' to jerk us all around
And they tell us they got to come in and control our situation
They want half of us on dope and the other half in incarceration
If the ones they want dead ain't killed by what they instigated
They put some dope on a brotha's body and claim it was drug related
Tell them drug related means there don't need to be no investigation
Or at least that's the way they're gon' play it on the local TV stations
All your 9-millimeter brothas...give them somthin' to think about
Tell them you heard that this is the new word, they got to work that stuff out
But somehow they feel in the wrong way with a gun in their hands
They feel real independent...but they just pullin' contracts for the man
Five and five will tell you it's hopeless out there on the avenue
But if they really knew the truth...why would they tell you?
And if they look at you like you're insane
And they start callin' you scarecrow and say you ain't got no brain
Or start tellin' folks that you suddenly gone lame
Or that white folks had finally co-opted your game
Or worse yet implying that you don't really know...
That's the same thing they said about us...a long time ago
Young rappers, one more suggestion before I get out of your way
But I appreciate the respect you give me and what you got to say
I'm sayin' protect your community and spread that respect around
Tell brothas and sistas they gotta calm that bullshit down
Cause we're terrorizin' our old folks and brought fear into our homes
And they ain't got to hang out with the senior citizens
Just tell them, "Dammit...leave the old folks alone"
And we know who rippin' off the neighborhood, tell them, "That BS has got to stop!"
Tell them you're sorry they can't handle it out there
But they got to take the crime off the block
And if they look at you like you're insane
And they start callin' you scarecrow and say you ain't got no brain
Or start tellin' folks that you suddenly gone lame
Or that white folks had finally co-opted your game
Or worse yet saying that you really don't know...
That's the same thing they said about me a long time ago
And if they tell folks that you finally lost your nerve
That's the same thing they said about us, when we said, "Johannesburg"
But I think the young folks need to know, that things don't go both ways
You can't talk respect of every other song or just every other day
What I'm speakin' on now is the raps about the women folks
On one song she's your African Queen on the next one she's a joke
And you ain't said no words that I haven't heard, but that ain't no compliment
It only insults eight people out of ten and questions your intelligence
Four letter words or four syllable words won't make you important
It'll only magnify how shallow you are and let everybody know it
And if they look at you like they think you insane
Or they call you scarecrow thinkin' you ain't got no brain
Or start tellin' folks that you suddenly gone lame
Or that white folks have finally co-opted your game
Or you really don't know...They said that about me a long time ago
If they finally start to tell people that you lost your nerve
That's what they said about Johannesburg
You ain't insane...you have got a brain
You haven't gone lame; you have got your game
Remember...keep the nerve
Keep the nerve
Keep the nerve
Keep the nerve
...I'm talkin' about peace
In "Message to the Messengers," Gil Scott-Heron, who is often referred to as the Godfather of Rap, speaks to younger rappers, expressing his respect for them but cautioning them to be careful with what they say and to make sure they know the truth about past events. He highlights the dangers of drug use and the destructive effects of gun violence in African American communities. He urges young rappers to use their influence to spread positivity and respect in their communities and to protect their elders. Scott-Heron reminds them that, like himself, they will face criticism and scrutiny, but encourages them to stay true to their message and to always keep the nerve to speak out for peace.
Throughout the song, Scott-Heron references his own experiences as a social activist and musician, drawing parallels between his message and the messages of younger rappers. He emphasizes the importance of using music as a tool for social change, encouraging rappers to be conscious of the impact of their words and to use their platform to promote unity and understanding.
One of the most striking features of "Message to the Messengers" is its relevance to the contemporary struggle for social justice. Although written in 1993, the song's message remains as powerful and necessary today as it was then. Scott-Heron's call for truth and respect in the face of violence, institutional racism, and misinformation is both timeless and timely.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, yeah, we the same brothas from a long time ago
I am speaking to the young rappers as an elder who understands their struggles as I've been through it myself.
We was talkin' about television and doin' it on the radio
Old school rappers, like myself, talked about how television only portrayed certain stories and that we could create our platform through the radio.
What we did was to help our generation realize
We wanted our generation to recognize that they had to work hard as success will not just come to them.
They had to get out there and get busy cause it wasn't gonna be televised
We wanted the younger generation to be aware that they had to get themselves out there to make a change as television would never show it unless it was something violent.
We got respect for you rappers and the way they be free-weighin'
Older rappers have respect for current rappers and their ability to express themselves freely.
But if you're gon' be teachin' folks things, make sure you know what you're sayin'
Older rappers want current rappers to be aware that their words should be taken seriously and that they should be aware of the messages they are conveying.
Older folks in our neighborhood got plenty of know-how
The elderly in my neighborhood have great wisdom.
Remember if it wasn't for them, you wouldn't be out here now
If it wasn't for the struggles and hard work of our elderly generations, current rappers wouldn't have the opportunities they have now.
And I ain't comin' at you with no disrespect
I don't want to offend current rappers in any way.
All I'm sayin' is that you damn well got to be correct
But I do want you to be aware that the messages you convey need to be right and not based on rumors.
Because if you're gonna be speakin' for a whole generation
As a big figure in the rap community, current rappers are speaking for a whole generation.
And you know enough to try and handle their education
Rappers are influential figures and therefore play a role in educating the youth.
Make sure you know the real deal about past situations
Be aware of the history behind situations and not solely rely on what is portrayed in the media.
It ain't just repeatin' what you heard on the local TV stations
Don't solely rely on what is portrayed in the media.
...Sometimes they tell lies and put 'em in a truthful disguise
The media can sometimes lie and manipulate the truth to fit their agenda.
But the truth is that's why we said it wouldn't be televised
This is why older rappers warned the younger generation that the media only focuses on certain aspects of the truth and won't show everything.
They don't know what to say to our young folks, but they know that you do
The older generation doesn't know how to connect with the younger generation, but they know that rappers can communicate with them.
And if they really knew the truth...why would they tell you?
If the media really knew the truth, they wouldn't be hiding it from the public.
The first sign is peace, tell all them gun totin' young brothas
I want to promote peace and encourage young people who carry guns to do the same.
That the man is glad to see us out there killin' one another
The government wants to see young people of color fighting and hurting each other rather than addressing the real problems.
We raised too much hell when they was shootin' us down
During times of oppression, we protested and fought back, which annoyed those with power and control.
So they started poisoning our minds tryin' to jerk us all around
The government started manipulating and brainwashing the youth to maintain control and power.
And they tell us they got to come in and control our situation
The government wants to control the younger generation to maintain power and oppress them.
They want half of us on dope and the other half in incarceration
The government wants to control the youth through drugs and imprisonment.
If the ones they want dead ain't killed by what they instigated
If the government's intended targets aren't killed due to their manipulation and instigation, they will plant drugs on them to arrest and control them.
They put some dope on a brotha's body and claim it was drug-related
The government will plant drugs on someone's body and blame it on substance abuse rather than looking into the real reasons behind their death.
Tell them drug-related means there don't need to be no investigation
Labeling someone's death as a 'drug-related' means the authorities do not have to investigate the situation.
Or at least that's the way they're gon' play it on the local TV stations
The media will sensationalize and distort the truth to suit the government's agenda.
All your 9-millimeter brothas...give them somthin' to think about
Direct a message to those who carry guns to think about their actions and decisions.
Tell them you heard that this is the new word, they got to work that stuff out
Promote peace and encourage young people who carry guns to work through their issues in a peaceful manner.
But somehow they feel in the wrong way with a gun in their hands
The older generation wants young people to understand that using guns is not the right way to solve problems as it leads to more violence.
They feel real independent...but they just pullin' contracts for the man
Young people feel self-reliant, but their actions often help the oppressors who want to control them.
Five and five will tell you it's hopeless out there on the avenue
It is impossible for young people to change their situation through illegal means on their own.
And if they really knew the truth...why would they tell you?
People in power don't want to tell the truth to others as it would lead to a loss of control.
And if they look at you like you're insane
If people criticize you for speaking the truth, it's only because they don't want to hear it.
And they start callin' you scarecrow and say you ain't got no brain
People might criticize you and say that you lack intelligence or bravery for speaking out.
Or start tellin' folks that you suddenly gone lame
People might start to ignore you after criticizing your message.
Or that white folks had finally co-opted your game
People might suggest that you have sold out to white people and no longer speak for the black community.
Or worse yet implying that you don't really know...
People might imply that you are ignorant and don't really understand the situation.
That's the same thing they said about us...a long time ago
The older generation also faced criticism and insults for speaking out, so you are not alone.
Young rappers, one more suggestion before I get out of your way
As an elder in the rap community, I have one more suggestion for the younger generation.
But I appreciate the respect you give me and what you got to say
I am grateful for the respect that younger rappers have shown me and acknowledge their voice in the rap community.
I'm sayin' protect your community and spread that respect around
Encourage younger rappers to promote positivity and respect within their community.
Tell brothas and sistas they gotta calm that bullshit down
Encourage young people to avoid unnecessary conflict and negativity.
Cause we're terrorizin' our old folks and brought fear into our homes
The younger generation is inciting fear and terror within their community, including the elderly who deserve respect and security.
And they ain't got to hang out with the senior citizens
Younger people don't have to spend time with the elderly to show them respect.
Just tell them, "Dammit...leave the old folks alone"
Simply tell young people to leave the elderly population alone as they deserve respect and security.
And we know who rippin' off the neighborhood,
As old school rappers, we are well aware of who is profiting off of our community in negative ways.
tell them, "That BS has got to stop!"
Stop the negativity and crime within the community as it is harmful and unproductive.
Tell them you're sorry they can't handle it out there
Acknowledge that young people may struggle with the situation around them.
But they got to take the crime off the block
Young people need to work towards removing criminal activity from their neighborhood.
You ain't insane...you have got a brain
Don't let others trivialize your message and credibility.
You haven't gone lame; you have got your game
You still have your power and voice within the rap community.
Remember...keep the nerve
Keep promoting positivity and spreading a message of peace.
Contributed by Olivia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.