GIL SCOTT-HERON: THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED
Friday 30 June 2006 10.30pm-11.30pm; 2.40am-3.40am
This documentary from Grammy-winning director Don Letts looks at the godfather of rap's significance to music and civil rights.
Scott-Heron's confrontational, no-nonsense street poetry and songwriting skills have inspired the modern Hip-Hop generation. He is perhaps best known for his two 1970s RnB flavoured chart hits - The Bottle and Johannesburg - but his work includes more than 20 albums and two novels.
Gil has documented, and in many cases anticipated, the massive political and social changes in the United States with anger and integrity. This programme features concert footage and contributions from disciples such as Chuck D and Mos Def.
Scott-Heron was born in Chicago in 1949
The musician published two novels, satirical thrillers called The Vulture and The Nigger Factory
Small Talk at 125th and Lenox was his first collection of poetry, the work was set to music and released as an album which subsequently earned Scott-Heron the title of "the godfather of rap"
He provided the voice for the well-known advert "You know when you've been Tangoed"
He received a prison sentence for the possession of cocaine and refused rehabilitation as an alternative to jail
FRIDAY JAZZ
Details of the full season of documentaries and concerts
