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Even if you haven't heard of Gil Scott-Heron, there's a good chance that your favorite rapper cites him as one of their greatest musical influences. When Scott-Heron died on May 27 at the age of 62, artists from a plethora of genres mourned the loss of this soulful great.
During his lifetime, Scott-Heron (AKA the 'Godfather of Rap') created his own distinct style of music and poetry that addressed controversial topics like apartheid, nuclear power and homophobia. This man was not your average musician, and his words still leave a strong impression on people of all ages. Scott-Heron's voice can even be heard on contemporary tracks like Drake's 'Take Care' and Kanye West's 'Who Will Survive in America.'