The late poet/musician Gil Scott Heron is arguably one of those figures that was rapping before Hip-Hop even came to form. The Harlem, New York luminary warned Heads everywhere that “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” and then he made an assortment of other powerful pieces on the subject of addiction, race, love, and desolation.

Heron, who died in 2011 after releasing an XL Records release I’m New Here, was sampled by the likes of Common, Drake, Kanye West, and countless others.

To understand Gil’s music, writing, and readings, you have to know his life. TV One profiled the brilliant artist in “Unsung.” They included interviews with associates, band-members, and longtime musical partner Brian Jackson:

Related: Here’s a fresh new joint from Stalley called Summer in America. It’s a tribute to Gil Scott Heron (Audio)