298415 (BC-BPI-HERON) It’s the same as it ever was, says Gil Scott-Heron, laughing as he describes the then and now of his life, his voice rolling and rumbling in a smoky, scarred baritone: ‘The messengers have changed; the messages are still pretty much the same.’ By saying this and believing it Gil Scott-Heron, remains an enduring link to times and thoughts that many Americans would like to forget , but which can’t. In that way, there’s not much difference between Gil Scott-Heron circa 1998, and the strident poet of the 70s largely credited with laying the foundation for rap. GIL SCOTT-HERON. BPI DIGITAL PHOTO ELEKTRA ENTERTAINMENT CR: MONIQUE DE LATOUR. HOUCHRON CAPTION (11/03/2001): Scott-Heron.