Cee Lo Green heard the news and proclaimed, "Rest in peace to the GOD" while comic Sarah Silverman remembered a man who "mirrored ugliness with beauty, audacity & valor."

Gil Scott-Heron, 62, the pioneering author and musician known by many as "the godfather of rap" passed away Friday, according to the New York Times.

As a young man, the Chicago native was one of the first the recording artists signed by legendary producer Clive Davis when the Arista label was being launched. But the onetime prodigy's life grew tragic, plagued by crack addiction. He allegedly fell ill following a recent trip abroad, entering a Manhattan hospital where he died.

The artist's death moved famous fans of his protest-poetry work -- including 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,' the 1970 track sampled by both Kanye West and Tupac Shakur -- to tweet their respects and praise his contribution to the music industry.

Eminem posted the message, "RIP Gil Scott-Heron. He influenced all of hip-hop."

Usher told Twitter followers, "I just learned of the loss of a very important poet...R.I.P. Gil Scott Heron. 'The revolution will be live!!'"

Snoop Dogg shared the tweet, "RIP to 1 of tha greats, gil scott heron."