In Search of Gil Scott-Heron

by Thomas Mauceri, Seb Piquet (Illustrator)

Singer, poet and writer; considered to be the godfather of rap, Gil Scott-Heron is a myth and legend in the Afro-American music scene.

Through his personal experiences, Thomas Maucéri allows us to discover the life of this genius along with other aspects of America’s recent history.

Gil Scott-Heron is one of the most important artists of the past 60 years, and is widely credited as laying the foundations for modern hip hop as we know it. This gorgeous graphic novel follows the author as he attempts to track down the elusive "Godfather of Rap" for an interview that never seems to happen, while examining his target's music, controversial life, and lasting political and cultural legacy.

Also included is a bonus article extensively reviewing Gil Scott-Heron’s career and influence on music history.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Music, Nonfiction, Race, Memoir, History

224 pages, Hardcover

Published August 22, 2023

Reviews

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll never forget when I first heard Gil Scott-Heron. A buddy of mine played me The Revolution Will Not Be Televised one night late into a porch drinking session and I knew I had to give this guy’s catalog a good listen. Which is a familiar story for many, such as Thomas Mauceri—author of this incredible graphic memoir In Search of Gil Scott-Heron—who first heard that song in college during the frustrations over the Florida recounts in the Gore/Bush election in 2000. Seb Piquet, who’s gorgeous artwork brings this book to life, delivers that moment perfectly:

This memoir will appeal to both long time fans of the artist as well as newcomers who will certainly want to give him a listen after, particularly as Mauceri breaks up the narrative with lovely inserts going into detail about key songs (either his favorites or ones relevant to that point in the story) such as The Bottle, New York Is Killing Me, The Other Side and more. He was an incredible artist, often called the ‘godfather of rap’ (though he found that reductive and preferred to be a ‘bluesologist’) and inspired generations of musicians (we see Kanye West perform a song at Gil’s funeral that he’d written as a tribute to the legend) his is a sad tale that chases the history of Scott-Heron and how it intertwines with Thomas Mauceri’s own life as he spends years trying to finally connect with Scott-Heron for a documentary only to discover he has passed on the day they are supposed to meet. Which is where this memoir begins. A loving tribute to a cherished artist as well as a meditation on place, race, and history unfolding, In Search of Gil Scott-Heron is a heartfelt and gorgeous graphic memoir.

This is just as much the story of Thomas Mauceri as it is the history of Gil Scott-Heron, which some readers might be surprised about, but the intertwining of tales really works here. Especially in place of the documentary he was never able to create. We begin with Mauceri coming from France to study in the US, having to leave after 9/11, and returning time and time again for projects, always hoping to connect with Gil in order to do a documentary about him. He wanted to show how much the city and the whole of Black history from the Civil Rights to the present comes alive in his music as much as those elements helped create his music. Piquet’s illustrations of the various places in Harlem and New York really capture this, and there are also some really powerful scenes about political events such as the election of Barack Obama in 2004 while Mauceri was in New York. And while he never meets Gil, we do meet a lot of people important to his life, such as Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets. It is a really great narrative that tells the lives of both men and captures how much your inspiring artists leave a mark on your life.

Scott-Heron’s words seem reflective of theAudre Lorde poem, A Litany for Survival that ends:
when we speak we are afraid
our words will not be heard
nor welcomed
but when we are silent
we are still afraid
So it is better to speak
remembering
we were never meant to survive.’

I found In Search of Gil Scott-Heron to be a rather moving and interesting read that, despite not being what I expected, ended up being something really cool and dynamic. I love seeing how much an artist can impact someone and I really liked the way it tied in modern US political history with this story. I remember all these events as well (though I was about a decade younger) so it was a fascinating framing for revisiting them. Do yourself a massive favor and put on some Gil Scott-Heron and raise a toast to the amazing artist now gone, and check this book out if you can!

⅘

[Sara Habein · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5? I don't know star ratings feel silly sometimes) This is part memoir, part biography — though a lot of the musical biography is written by Dortheé Nolan and appears as an article at the end of the graphic novel. I knew a little about Gil Scott-Heron's influence on hip-hop, but this book is more about the influence he had on the author's career. That's fine too, but there isn't quite enough introspection here to make us really feel an impact, apart from the frustration of the near-miss and the W years. The art pairs well with the text though, and perhaps the book will make more people seek out Scott-Heron's work.

[Mark Schwaber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is earnest writing at its finest. A true page turner even knowing the outcome, which is announced in the prologue. I wasn’t expecting a true story. I also wasn’t expecting to enamored in a way I haven’t been by any work I’ve read this year. This is a graphic novel, and it is as good as any form of storytelling that will be seen this year. Highest of recommendations!

[Barbara McVeigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the way the story was told by structuring it through Scott-Heron’s songs. I would’ve like some more to tie it all together. Another reviewer here calls it introspection.

Some mature language, including the n-word, but it is used when showing a racist incident that the protagonist encountered in America.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read with a unique and effective art style. This is as much about the author's quest to know himself through his work trying to make a documentary about Gil-Scott-Heron as it is about Gil himself, maybe even more so. Very enjoyable read nonetheless.

[Julene · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Search of Gil Scott-Heron: The Godfather of Rap, a graphic memoir/biography by Thomas Mauceri with art by Seb Piquet is a heart touching book. Mauceri, a want-to-be filmmaker gets accepted into Keene College in New England, he's heard of Boston but has no idea how far away the school is from Boston. It's hours away, in a small town. At school he first hears Gil Scott-Heron's music and decides he wants to make a film of him, the Godfather of Rap. The book is his journey to meet him to present his idea. Eventually they do talk, but Gil doesn't say yes. It's a story of frustration after frustration, not getting to a concert in Paris due to the train being held up for hours. Finally he meets a woman who is friends with her, he's gotten a grant to do the film, and talks her into going to New York where she can introduce him to Gil. But once in New York, she finds Gil in the hospital very ill, and he dies the day after she gets to see him.

This is a gripping, sad story, with a great listing and notation on each of his albums at the end of the book. And it brings us through several elections including Obama two times and then the one where Hillary Clinton loses to Trump. What I love are the reactions to these elections. One of Gil's musician friends, Abiodun Oyewole, who says, "But I'm not worried. I've seen worse than him, I assure you. But one thing's for —we fell asleep under Obamas presidency." And when questioned about Black Lives Matter, "Are you Kidding?! That's a step backwards!" and, "Don't you see? We've gone from Black Power to Black Lives Matter! It's definitely a step backwards." Later at the bar Mauceri steps from the side of the bar where people are discussing the election and the need to organize, and steps into the next room where, "A huge number of young people in their twenties were partying to the latest rap hits...completely uninterested in the election. Two rooms. Two atmospheres."

There are some great Gil quotes in the summary of his albums relaying his political views and his dedication to music. Regarding the title given him as The Godfather of Rap, Gil said, "I think it's a mistake that I'm known as the "Godfather of rap." A revolution, whatever your color, happens inside you. A revolution is first of all mental—it comes from the mind. If you want to change your life, if you want the things around you to be different, first you need to change the way you think."

I've loved his music a long time, it's from my generation growing up in the late sixties and seventies. I wish he'd lived longer, he was only 60 when he died in 2011. In the book several times HIV was mentioned and he had said he was HIV positive. What a potent book to read and write about on World AIDS Day. We lost so many talented souls.

[Y.S. Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Search of Gil Scott-Heron is a journey to discover the life and works of the famous musician. It is a detailed exploration of the artist's genius and how it shaped the music and culture of Black America. The book reveals the intricate details of Gil's life, from his early days in the music industry to his final years. It also documents the author's failed attempts to make a documentary on the artist.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE BOOK
It is a great insight into his immense influence on American culture, and how it still resonates today. It is a testament to his legacy and his place in the music world, which will continue to be felt for many years to come.

WHAT I DISLIKE
Nothing.

WHO IS THIS FOR?
This book is a must-read for music lovers and those interested in learning more about the importance of Gil Scott-Heron. Those with no knowledge of his influence can also learn of his importance to music and culture in the West.

Many thanks to Titan Books for providing a review copy.

[Shanice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the advance reader copy.

I think a lot of people know Gil Scott-Heron’s work and the influence he had on music and lives in general.

This comic shows his influence and death from someone who respected and understood how important Scott-Heron was.

I enjoyed the art style and how it felt like being in memory rather than reading about someone’s life.
If you’re a fan of Scott-Heron or want to learn some of how his work influenced music this is a good entry point.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Gill Scott Heron long time ago but I’m not an expert. This the story of Thomas Mauceri as it’s the story of Scott-Heron, his art and his music.
It’s a fascinating story and it’s a good way to learn more about a great artist.
The graphics is well done and it creates a unicum with the text.
Here’s an interesting article about this book:
https://www.roughtrade.com/us/product...
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more focused on Mauceri’s experience becoming a fan of Gil as a young adult, plus many near-miss attempts at interviewing him for film doc, than the straight-forward Gil bio I expected. It still includes some Gil bio stuff along the way, though, as well as Mauceri’s unique POV as a Black French guy experiencing America’s ongoing legacy of racism. I particularly appreciated how each chapter opened with a page about a different song from across Gil’s long career; they make for a nice ongoing soundtrack to read along to.

[Artnoose McMoose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been waiting to read this book since I first heard about it. I listened to a lot of Gil Scott-Heron in my young adult years and even got to see him perform live in the mid-90s.

It’s a good biography and its chapter have the titles of his songs, so that if you are not familiar with all his works, you can give the song a listen before you move on.

It’s one of those biographies though, that’s just as much about the author as the subject. It’s always interesting to see a view on the US by a non-American.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have preferred that the book talked more about Gil Scott-Heron and less about the author's unfulfilled quest to interview him. That angle reminded me a little too much of Malik Bendjelloul's film 'Searching for Sugar Man'. Still, the book succeeds in getting across a basic outline of Scott-Heron's life and music for those who might not know much about him. It inspired me enough to purchase one of his albums.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art was a little basic, but my real problem was that In Search of Gil Scott-Heron was more about Mauceri than about the book's subject. I can't fault the author for making this personal, and he did highlight a lot of the key attributes that made Scott-Heron a legend. However, this would have benefited from an editor cutting some of the needless filler about looking for Gil, planning to see Gil, and every little detail other than focusing on the man himself. Not bad, but not great either.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved Gil Scott-Heron's music for years and was really excited when I heard this was being released. I was not let down. It's a great mix of the story of Thomas Mauler along with the history of Gill Scott-Heron. I love when I can read a graphic novel and learn things at the same time.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to the Gil’s tracks as they come up is a must for an immersive experience. It especially hit with reading the final parts of this graphic novel putting on “The Other Side” from his Spirits album.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit more of a graphic memoir about the author and his quest to try to make a documentary about Gil Scott-Heron than a Gil graphic bio. It was great to listen to Gil's music that was mentioned while reading along, especially from his later albums I was not familiar with.

[Riddhish Bhalodia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

This was a good perspective on how an artists work has so much meaning in the authors life. Also how Gil Scott-Heron's life and music is entwined with American politics. I would have liked a little more about the music itself, but otherwise the book is solid.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The revolution will be graphic novelized.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a recommendation from an independent bookseller and I was so glad. I knew nothing about Gil Scott-Herron and his seminal work. It was powerful to learn about the man, his music and struggles.

[Charles Eldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unique memoir-meets-biography wonderfully presents the author’s experince learning about Gil-Scot Heron and his works. It was an education for the reader presented in a beautiful way. I picked this book up on a lark and am all the better for it. Heron’s music and poetry has been playing in a house for the last few days thanks to the introduction of this book.