Gillan Kanefounding member of the renowned spoken word group The last poets, died as shared in a recently published report. Kain's family initially did not release details of his death, which occurred early last month.
The New York Timessmall reports that Gylan Kain died in the Dutch city of Lelystad while in a nursing home. According to Kain's son, Rufus Kain, his father died of heart disease.
As seen on The Last Poets founding member Abiodun Oyewole's website, the group started in 1968. Below is an excerpt from Oyewole's biography section page:
The Last Poets was born on May 19, 1968, when David Nelson, Gylan Kain, and Abiodun Oyewole read poetry at a memorial service for Malcolm X. Their goal was to provide a poetic voice for Malcolm's call for self-determination and black nationalism. Like many black activists of the time, they were tired of Martin Luther King's integrationist agenda. They were much more influenced by the politics of the radical members of SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee), SDS Students for a Democratic Society) and the Black Panthers.
The group's name came from a poem by the South African revolutionary poet Keorapetse William Kgositsile, who advocated the need to set aside poetry in the face of impending revolution: “When the moment hatches in the womb of time, there will be no talk of art. ” he wrote. “The only poem you will hear will be the point of the spear spinning in the pierced marrow of evil. . . . That is why we are the world's last poets.”
Earl Sweatshirt fans may know that the late Kgositsile is his father and has been the focus of some of the rapper's lyrics throughout his career.
The Last Poets are often regarded as the forerunner of the mainstay of Hip-Hop rap, and their recorded works have been sampled by Hip-Hop artists. Additionally, many of the group's members and their various incarnations have worked alongside Common, Nas, and Public Enemy among others.
Kain soon turned to acting after his initial stint with the group and performed in a handful of stage productions. In the 1980s, Kain moved to Amsterdam and continued to record music and remained an actor. He was previously married to June Lum and the couple had three children.
Gylan Kain is survived by Rufus Kain, Khalil Kain, Khayyam Kain, Khayyam Kain and Amber Kain along with seven grandchildren.
It was 81.
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Photo: Getty
