Jackson in Madison County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Gil Scott-Heron "Godfather of Rap"
Photographed By David Austin
1. Gil Scott-Heron "Godfather of Rap" Marker
Born in Chicago in 1949, Gil Scott-Heron moved to Jackson in 1950, which remained his home until he was thirteen years old. In 1962, he was one of three African Americans to desegregate Tigrett Junior High School. That same year, he moved to New York City, developed into a world-renowned poet and musician with such hits as "The Revolution Will Not be Televised," "The Bottle" and "Winter in America." In 1980, he and Stevie Wonder laid the foundation for the Martin Luther King National Holiday. Gil Scott-Heron died May 27, 2011 and later interred in Kensico Cemetery in Westchester County, New York. Known as the "Godfather of Rap", he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 as a recipient of the Early Influence Award.
Erected 2022 by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4D 65.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.
Location. 35° 36.955′ N, 88° 49.003′ W. Marker is in Jackson, Tennessee, in Madison County. Marker is on East College Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jackson TN 38301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jackson's First Free Library (here, next to
this page online
Photographed By David Austin
2. Gil Scott-Heron "Godfather of Rap" Marker
Photographed By Sandra Hughes Tidwell, August 18, 2023
3. Gil Scott-Heron "Godfather of Rap" Mural
Small Talk at 125th and Lenox, Free Will , I'M New Here, Secrets, Real Eyes
Photographed By David Austin
4. Gil Scott-Heron "Godfather of Rap" Marker
Mural across the street of the subject on marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2022, by David Austin of Scotts Hill, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2022, by David Austin of Scotts Hill, Tennessee. 3. submitted on September 7, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 4. submitted on November 15, 2022, by David Austin of Scotts Hill, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
