Showing posts with label Poet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Poet. Show all posts

Saturday, May 28, 2011

America Lost a Poet and a Piece of it's Soul - R.I.P. Gil Scott Heron


This is the reality that Gil always Spoke of ,





we wonder if when he was making this song; he was leaving us a message,


Everytime he left New York he always returned. he had so many issues with New York but it was like a drug to him. he craved it, and he always wanted to be there. he could be anywhere he wanted but he always wanted to be in Harlem.



Most recently Gil called Harlem home since 2006. that is where he was when he went to the hospital and passed away. his family has chosen not to discuss the health issues; but we'll say that they were longstanding and as a result of his addiction.

This was Gils' Mug Shot from his 2000 arrest for possession of a controlled substance. you can read about the trial and set up here.
Gil Lived Life to the fullest, everyday. He left us songs that will explain the reality of the struggle of African Americans in America. He was truly an American Folk Singer and Hero. We doubt that anyone will deny that.

Gil gave us memories that will remain as fresh today as the morning dew. he was always smiling and talking about the struggle and enjoying as much of life as you could as a revolutionary. Because of Gils' love for Heroin, he was denied membership in the Black Panther Party.

Most folks don't know this. we do because we heard the rationalizing and bargaining. the deal never got the chairman's (Huey) okay. it would have opened up a can of worms that the party couldn't deal with. but they loved Gil and always provided him lots of support, security in certain cities early on; and even helped him market his early music directly in the community.
Yes Gil was a force of Unity. he drew everyone together. preachers quoted him. politicians feared him. police harassed him. dope men loved him. and yes the people Adored Him Even Now.
Gil was in Detroit when the first Fermi Shutter occurred. He wrote it immediately. notice he says no one thought about the babies. he was speaking about his own daughter.

His Girl Honey had recently lost their baby and it caused him deep pain. I remember seeing him literally crying. it was a very sad time.

Always Remember Gil Scott Heron and His contribution to African American Consciousness Raising; as well as his music. He discussed the politics of the Cointelpro and Vietnam issues.
Gil never shy-ed away from the most controversial viewpoint and speaking his mind. he felt a responsibility to do it and to assure others that it was also their duty. a duty he kept up until he departed this plane.
This is Gils' Message to the Messengers which talks specifically about the role of those who control the consciousness of the public. it was considered controversial upon release but later it became almost a manifesto for the conscious hip-hop community.

Live Up Gil Scott, We Can Never Stop Listening to Your Wisdom Prophet,

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Spartacus R,Gone But Never to Be Forgotten




Early this week we received the news of the death of a friend, who for all intensive purposes was a star globally - My Friend and Former Boss Spartacus R.

The news of a death is never easy. but it's especially hard when it'd the news about a great old friend and artist from the UK and Grenada.  He Was After All Supposed to Live Forever - so said Spartacus R. in many conversations we had over the years.  I always secretly wished he could do it.

Tthe news was shocking, so much so that momentarialy when receiving it I denied it in my mind and told the person who told me that I'd have to write to the family to see what they had to say. wow..

This is a short bit about Spartacus R Bedeau - who was my friend, boss and sometimes human reminder that we all need to give back for people to remember that we were ever here.. we will always remember you Brother Spartacus because you shouted Jahmahariyah long before it was popular. You traveled to Fiji and made a new life; you reached out for your people where ever you may have found them globally. For that I am eternally grateful to have known you.

Spartacus R. came to prominence in the early 70s as the founder and driving force of the first internationally famous African Rock band, Osibisa, at the forefront of the genre now called World Music.