Love Music Hate Racism Gil Scott-Heron: Black Wax - Film Screening and Discussion

The poet, vocalist, and songwriter Gil Scott-Heron is often regarded as one of the most influential figures of rap and hip-hop. His aggressive, no-nonsense street poetry inspired a legion of intelligent rappers.

Directed by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Robert Mugge, Black Wax is a fascinating portrait of Gil Scott-Heron performing at the Wax Museum nightclub, D.C. in 1982, interspersed between scenes of him discussing political ironies as he wanders past national monuments and ghetto neighbourhoods in Washington.

With a back catalogue consisting of classics such as The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, Johannesburg and Message to the Messengers, his music has confronted social justice issues head-on. The remix album We’re New Here, a collaboration with Jamie XX, demonstrates that his reach has crossed musical boundaries, continuously reaches new generations of fans and remains influential to this day.

Black Wax alternates between the electrifying soul/jazz/funk grooves of Scott-Heron's Midnight Band and his witty and deep monologues about racism, social justice and activism.

This screening has been organised by Love Music Hate Racism and will be followed by a panel discussion with local activists and trade unionists: Dave Moxham (STUC), Andy Park (Ex-Commissioning Editor Music, Channel Four), Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees and Love Music Hate Racism.

Gil Scott-Heron themed after-party in the Terrace Bar with Mickey Rooney (Primevals) and DJ Jambug.