Sometimes referred to as the “Godfather of rap” has passed on at the age of 62.  Gil Scott-Heron died Friday at New York’s St. Lukes Hospital.

Gil was a native of Chicago. It is thought he fell ill after returning from a European vacation.

As for a cause of death, nothing has been released.

Gil played a large role in the development of rap music and had a lot of influence on folks like Kanye West.

His music was strongly influenced by politics. He was particularly critical of the mass media.

Gil’s work also rapped about apartheid in South Africa long before it became a global issue.

He also wrote poetry and was known as an author.

Scott-Herron had a daughter with his wife, Brenda Sykes.