At the age of 62, Gil Scott-Heron has died. The sad news came from an increasingly more common source these days, Twitter. Jamie Byng, Scott-Heron’s publisher in the UK, broke the news earlier tonight.

From Byng’s twitter:

Just heard the very sad news that my dear friend and one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met, the great Gil Scott-Heron, died today.

He went on to say:

Gil Scott-Heron’s death is NOT a rumour. I just called by Dorothy who is staying with Aunt Mimi in NY to tell me the news. I’m so sad.

The cause of death is still yet unknown. New details as they become available.

Pitchfork has received confirmation by a publicist from Scott-Heron’s record label.