Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Scott was educated at the University of the West Indies and taught in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and at Yale University in the United States.

He wrote a famous poem called 'Marrysong' which is used in the IGCSE syllabus.Scott was also a successful playwright, theatre director, and drama teacher. During his life, he published numerous poetry collections, the most famous of which being Uncle Time, and Dreadwalk.

Scott was one of the most significant poets writing in the early post-independence period in Jamaica, and his first published collection, Uncle Time, is marked by an effective literary use of the vernacular. He has been regarded as one of the main influences for modern Jamaican poetry...

Scott was an original member of the National Dance Theatre Company founded by Rex Nettleford in the 1960s. Scott is also known for his role in the Cosby Show as Lester Tibedeaux.

Scott taught at the Yale School of Drama, and was head of the Directing program from 1986 until his death.

Scott died in New Haven, Connecticut at age 51.