Amiri Baraka formerly known as Leroi Jones and Imamu Amear Baraka died at the age of 79, on January 9, 2014 in a hospital in New Jersey. He was an American writer of poetry, drama, fictions, essays and the music criticism. He was author of a range of books of poetry and he has also taught at a number of universities.

Baraka remained a well known poet and author of his times, his poetry and writings attracted many of the readers across the world and earn much praise, his writings does not only earn praise rather also condemnation. Many of the readers also called his work as sign of violence, misogyny, homophobia and racism. Due to his writings, poetry and lectures Baraka became well known renowned personality in the beginning of 1960s. His work in poetry, drama, fiction and nonfiction has been praised amongst his readers. In 2008, he also won pen open book award formerly known as the Beyond margins Award.

Amiri was a creative writer, and the approximate number of books he penned were more than 500, which includes fictions, short stories, poetry, plays and music  riticism. Baraka was born in New Jersey, as for as his family is concerned his father worked as postal supervisor, however his mother was an active and enthusiastic social worker. He adopted Muslim name Imamu Amear Baraka, however later he changed it to Amir Baraka.

During his young age Baraka won a scholarship to Rutgers University in 1951, but he then left for Howard University without completing his degree. He studied philosophy and religion in his life, and remained renowned scholar. He took his last breath in New Jersey in a hospital due to severe illness.