27/06/2011
The man whose life was transformed by legendary musician and poet Gil Scott-Heron.
Extraordinary personal stories from around the world.
Today, a month after the death of legendary musician Gil Scott-Heron, we find out how he transformed the life of a young British man.
Abdul Malik Al Nasir, who was known as Mark T Watson until he converted to Islam, had a troubled childhood.
He was bullied at school for being mixed race and lived under brutally strict conditions in care homes from the age of nine.
Malik says he was a "semi-illiterate street kid".
However, a chance meeting with Gil Scott-Heron, back-stage at one of his concerts, changed Malik's life forever and took him to places he would never have dreamt of going.
Abdul Malik al Nasir has published a book of poems under his original name Mark T Watson.
The book is called Ordinary Guy, and is published by Fore-word Press Ltd.
Last on
Broadcasts
- Mon 27 Jun 201114:32GMTBBC World Service Online
- Mon 27 Jun 201119:32GMTBBC World Service Online
- Mon 27 Jun 201123:32GMTBBC World Service Online
- Tue 28 Jun 201101:32GMTBBC World Service Online
- Tue 28 Jun 201110:05GMTBBC World Service Online
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