Kanye West performed at an intimate memorial service for pioneer musician Gil Scott-Heron at Riverside Church earlier today. "Gia Scott-Heron and family, Kanye West and GSH's band offered wonderful words and music in tribute today at Riverside Church. A blessing," tweeted Malaika Adero.
West performed 'Lost in the World/Who Will Survive In America," the last two tracks off his latest album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy , which includes a sample of Scott-Heron. You can hear the studio version below. NBC called the performance "a tastefully censored rendition." According to the News, he was dressed in black, wore a pair of dark sunglasses, and hugged members of Scott-Heron's family at the end of the service.
In addition to West, Scott-Heron’s daughter, Gia, sang the Bette Midler ballad “The Rose,” and members of Scott-Heron’s touring band—including multi-instrumentalist Glen Turner and saxophonists Vernon James and Bilal Sunni-Ali—performed two of his hits, “Better Days Ahead” and “The Bottle.”
Scott-Heron was eulogized by his ex-wife, actress Brenda Sykes, who recalled being introduced to Scott-Heron through mutual friend and NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. According to Malaika Adero, Gia said this about her father: "He was legendary, A visionary, An illuminating luminary." You can see photos from the event at WNYC. There will be a public viewing tonight from 6-9 p.m. at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home at 81st Street and Madison Avenue.
