Black Wax
1983
Documentary / Music

Black Wax
1983
Documentary / Music
Plot summary
Gil Scott-Heron, one of rap's earliest (and unfortunately unknown) pioneers, gets his full due in Black Wax, the 1982 documentary recently reissued on video. Interspliced between performance footage of Scott-Heron and his Midnight Band are vignettes of him walking around Washington D.C., spouting his views on then-President Reagan (dubbed "Ray-Gun") and generally dropping knowledge. The live performance features many of Scott-Heron's best-known hits, including "Johannesburg," "Winter in America," and "Angel Dust," among others. Warm, intelligent, and insightful throughout, Scott-Heron is clearly enjoying himself and the opportunity to espouse his views. A must for any fan of Scott-Heron's, and definitely worth a look for fans of the funkier jazz music of the mid to late 1970's.
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
Rap pioneer shines in dazzling documentary
Don't let him be forgotten
I've come to know and enjoy GSH's music and words for a couple of years. Aside from being a great musician (along with is buddy Brian Jackson) who evolved from poetry to spoken word then add his own influences of Jazz and Blues, he should be getting credit for his social and political engagement. Well aware of the condition his fellow black people were living in ("Whitey on the Moon"), he also spoke harshly against the administration ("H2oGate Blues" which can easily be adapted to nowadays events by the way) and was even one of the first to criticize the situation in South Africa ("Johannesburg"). His last record "Spirits" is a masterpiece. His last known work was with French Jazz harmonicist J.J. last year. He then had been jailed, and I must sadly say, not for the first time. A few grams of coke or whatever it was led him there. He was reported free this last June. This man is know around 70 and definitely doesn't get the attention he should, being in my opinion one of the greatest free thinkers of the Nixon-to-Reagan ("RayGun") era...