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Revolutionary rapper
2011-05-28 14:35:24
28 May 2011 Last updated at 14:42 Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print Gil Scott-Heron: US musician and poet in profile By Peter Jackson BBC News
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//In 2001, he was jailed in New York State for cocaine possession and in 2006 for violating a plea deal on a drug-possession charge by leaving a rehabilitation clinic.
It was while he was doing time that Scott-Heron received a visit from Richard Russell, who guided him into the studio for his comeback album.
Russell said in a tribute on his blog: "To my knowledge he never accepted an award. He always wanted everyone else to receive credit for their work.
"He is the only artist I've ever worked with who requested that the studio engineer's photo be given equal prominence to his own on his website.
"Gil meant a massive amount to me, as he did to so many people. His talent was immense. He was a master lyricist, singer, orator, and keyboard player.
"His spirit was immense. He channeled something that people derived huge benefit from."