Gil Scott-Heron televised the revolution

Gil Scott-Heron televised the revolution

DJ Danny, A.K.A. Akalepse holding Gil Scott-Heron's Winter in America


It was 1987. Public Enemy had just popped into the scene. We were clueless pre-adults about to be released into the world. We knew who Malcolm X was from English class which only really came together after hearing their words and his radical words pumped out through the speakers of the political defense system that the revolution would in fact not be televised. Or would it? We knew the Beastie Boys brought us some awesome party music but there was no way they invented this music. The nerative was too pure with all sorts thoughts and stories making history real-time. The master at telling them was Gil Scot-Heron who preached about a black and proud nation. PE took the bass and drum parts isolated and amplified their message to give rap music edge. We were white kids and we went deep. Explored hip-hop tape and records shops in Plainfield NJ in the middle of the day for more. Where we just used to buy beer and pot. This time the contra-band was Hip Hop. More radical than punk rock and hardcore. Gil Scot-Heron let us know this has been going on for awhile and PE were just some of the messengers. Thanks Beasties for making it alright and RIP Gil — G*d Bless.

H2Ogate Blues MP3 by Gil Scott-Heron from Winter in America (1974)
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised MP3 from Pieces of the Man (1971)
Caught, Can We Get a Witness? MP3 by Public Enemy from It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back (1988)
Public Enemy No. 1 MP3 by PE from Yo Bum Rush The Show (1987)
Shake Your Rump MP3 by Beastie Boys from Paul’s Boutique (1989)
Posse In Effect MP3 from Licensed to iLL (1986)

Dis is related:
Kool DJ Red Alert
DJ Akalepse