The influential American musician Gil Scott-Heron has died in New York, aged 62.
The BBC reports his distinctive style - mixing spoken word lyrics with a mixture of jazz, blues and soul - is credited as key to the development of rap music.
Scott-Heron's best-known work was the political piece The Revolution will not be Televised.
A recent album release last year was widely acclaimed and brought him to the attention of a new generation.
Reports say Scott-Heron became ill after returning from a trip to Europe.
