Gil Scott-Heron – vocals; electric piano on "Washington D.C."
Vernon James – alto saxophone; flute on "Ready or Not"
Robbie Gordon – bass
Kenny Powell – drums
Ed Brady – guitar
Glen Turner – keyboards
Carl Cornwell – tenor saxophone (tracks 2, 3, 7)
Ron Holloway – tenor saxophone
Kenny Sheffield – trumpet
Larry McDonald – percussion
"High Note" Harry Kim – trumpet on "Washington D.C."
Malcolm Cecil – horn arrangement on "Fast Lane"