In Memoriam

Pour out a little liquor.

Nate Dogg - A pioneer of the West Coast G-funk sound, Nathaniel “Nate Dogg” Hale released countless hit records with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. His career spanned close to 20 years and included appearances on such classics as The Chronic, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and All Eyez on Me. He died at age 41 this March after two debilitating strokes. (Photo: Chi Modu/diverseimages/Getty Images)

1 / 9

Nate Dogg - A pioneer of the West Coast G-funk sound, Nathaniel “Nate Dogg” Hale released countless hit records with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. His career spanned close to 20 years and included appearances on such classics as The Chronic, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and All Eyez on Me. He died at age 41 this March after two debilitating strokes. (Photo: Chi Modu/diverseimages/Getty Images)

M-Bone - The fourth member of BET Awards Best Group nominees Cali Swag District was murdered in a drive-by shooting this past May in his Inglewood, Calif., neighborhood. The 22-year-old gained fame with his group's hit single “Teach Me How to Dougie”. (Photo: Paul Abell/PictureGroup)

2 / 9

M-Bone - The fourth member of BET Awards Best Group nominees Cali Swag District was murdered in a drive-by shooting this past May in his Inglewood, Calif., neighborhood. The 22-year-old gained fame with his group's hit single “Teach Me How to Dougie”. (Photo: Paul Abell/PictureGroup)

Gil Scott-Heron Rest in Paradise - Legendary spoken word musician and poet Gil Scott-Heron passed away Friday [May 27] in New York at age 62. Known for making political statements in his work and for creating the blueprint for hip-hop, Scott-Heron was a music pioneer. In honor of the memorial service and public viewing being held today [June 2] and tomorrow, BET.com reflects on why Scott-Heron is known as "the godfather of rap" by highlighting his most noteworthy albums and a few of the many hip hop artists who've sampled his work. 

3 / 9

Gil Scott-Heron - The poet/musician whose work became the soundtrack for a movement passed away in May at age 62. A progenitor of hip hop, Scott-Heron continued to captivate the hearts and minds of multiple generations throughout his life. He released his last album in 2010 and was featured on Kanye West's latest album. (Photo: Gilles Petard/Redferns/Getty Images)

Clarence Clemons - Also known as “The Big Man,” the saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band passed away this month due to complications from a stroke. Beyond music, Clemons was known for acting, having appeared in movies such as Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Fatal Instinct.(Photo: Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)

4 / 9

Clarence Clemons - Also known as “The Big Man,” the saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band passed away this month due to complications from a stroke. Beyond music, Clemons was known for acting, having appeared in movies such as Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Fatal Instinct.(Photo: Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images

Teena Marie - Considered the Ivory Queen of Soul for her vocal abilities in the R&B genre, Marie’s music with Rick James became a staple of the late '70s and '80s. She passed away this December at age 54.(Photo: Gene Ambo/Retna Ltd.)

5 / 9

Teena Marie - Considered the Ivory Queen of Soul for her vocal abilities in the R&B genre, Marie’s music with Rick James became a staple of the late '70s and '80s. She passed away this December at age 54.(Photo: Gene Ambo/Retna Ltd.)

ADVERTISEMENT
John Cossette - A famed Broadway and television producer and a member of the BET family, Cossette was known for his work producing the Grammys—following in his father Pierre's footsteps—and producing the BET Awards. He died this April at the age of 54.(Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for City of Hope)

6 / 9

John Cossette - A famed Broadway and television producer and a member of the BET family, Cossette was known for his work producing the Grammys—following in his father Pierre's footsteps—and producing the BET Awards. He died this April at the age of 54.(Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for City of Hope)

James Moody - This jazz legend recorded with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Charles Mingus. Moody passed away this past December due to pancreatic cancer. His last work, Moody 4B, won a Grammy posthumously in the Jazz Instrumental Album category.(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

7 / 9

James Moody - This jazz legend recorded with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Charles Mingus. Moody passed away this past December due to pancreatic cancer. His last work, Moody 4B, won a Grammy posthumously in the Jazz Instrumental Album category.(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Gregory Isaacs - The legendary reggae musician known as the Cool Ruler died this past October in London after a long bout with lung cancer at the age of 60. The voice behind love songs like "Night Nurse" and rebel cuts like "Slave Master" will be heard forever.  (Photo: CAMERA PRESS/Lennox Smillie/Retna Ltd.)

8 / 9

Gregory Isaacs - The legendary reggae musician known as the Cool Ruler died this past October in London after a long bout with lung cancer at the age of 60. The voice behind love songs like "Night Nurse" and rebel cuts like "Slave Master" will be heard forever.  (Photo: CAMERA PRESS/Lennox Smillie/Retna Ltd.)

Photo By Photo: CAMERA PRESS/Lennox Smillie/Retna Ltd.

Albertina Walker - An early pioneer of the gospel music scene, Walker helped found The Caravans, the group that helped launch the careers of Shirley Caesar, James Cleveland and more. This past October, Walker passed away due to respiratory problems, but her work and memory still live on.

9 / 9

Albertina Walker - An early pioneer of the gospel music scene, Walker helped found The Caravans, the group that helped launch the careers of Shirley Caesar, James Cleveland and more. This past October, Walker passed away due to respiratory problems, but her work and memory still live on.