By Tracy Thompson
DNAinfo/Reporter Producer
MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS — Kanye West gave a surprise performance at the memorial service for Gil Scott-Heron, the legendary musician and "Godfather" of hip-hop.
West closed out the service, which was attended by family, friends and fans of Scott-Heron, who died May 27 at 62, with a rendition of "Lost in the World" off his recent album, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy," the Daily News reported.
The song features a sample of Scott-Heron's "Who Will Survive in America?"
Scott-Heron rose to fame in the 1970s with music that used militant spoken-word lyrics. One of the most prominent figures during the black arts movement, his songs spoke against the oppression many blacks suffered during that era. One of his best known works is "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised."
Several close friends attended the memorial to pay their respects.
"He was a very dear friend to me," said Lister Hewan-Lowe, a former Island Records executive. "I’m here for the Jamaican connection. Gil had a profound affect on reggae."
The memorial was open to the public and fans also showed up to grieve with Scott-Heron's family.
"I grew up on his music and was always moved by his politics," said fan Alvin Turner. "Some of that stuff is still needed today."
