Curtis Lee Mayfield was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer well known for introducing social and political consciousness into African-American music. Black students often sang his strong-hitting lyrics during their Civil Rights campaigns. With powerful songs like ‘Keep on Pushing’, ‘People Get Ready’ and ‘We're A Winner’, he motivated and inspired the people who were fighting for equal rights and justice. He started his career with singer Jerry Butler’s band, the Impressions, and later, embarked on a solo career during the course of which he released several albums. His soundtrack for the film‘Super Fly’ was praised for its socially conscious themes dealing with crime, poverty, and drug abuse. Famous for injecting elements of social awareness into soul music, he penned the song ‘People Get Ready’ for the Impressions. Ranking 24th on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, ‘People Get Ready’ received many other honors as well. A courageous soul, he continued his career as a recording artist even after he was paralyzed from the neck down in an accident while he was performing on stage. He was a recipient of the Grammy Legend Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and also a double inductee in the Grammy Hall of Fame. He died of complications from type 2 diabetes in 1999, at the age of 57.