Linton Kwesi Johnson
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Linton Kwesi Johnson (aka LKJ) (born 24 August 1952, in Chapelton, Jamaica) is a British-based dub poet. He became only the second living poet to be published in the Penguin series. His poetry involves the recitation of his own verse in Jamaican creole over dub-reggae, usually written in collaboration with renowned British reggae producer/artist Dennis Bovell .
Most of Johnson’s poetry is political, dealing mainly with the experiences of being an african-caribbean in Britain. However, he has also shown himself more than capable of writing about other issues, such as British foreign policy or the death of anti-racist marcher Blair Peach. His most celebrated poems were written during the government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The poems contain graphic accounts of the often racist police brutality occurring at the time.
Johnson’s best known albums include his debut “Dread Beat An’ Blood”, “Forces Of Victory”, “Bass Culture” and “Making History”. Across these albums are spread classics of the dub poetry school of performance - and, indeed, of reggae itself - such as “Dread Beat An’ Blood”, “Sonny’s Lettah, “Inglan Is A Bitch” and “Independant Intavenshan”.
When written, Johnson’s poetry makes clever use of the unstandardised transcription of Jamaican Creole.
Of late, Johnson has only performed live on an intermittent basis.
Most of Johnson’s poetry is political, dealing mainly with the experiences of being an african-caribbean in Britain. However, he has also shown himself more than capable of writing about other issues, such as British foreign policy or the death of anti-racist marcher Blair Peach. His most celebrated poems were written during the government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The poems contain graphic accounts of the often racist police brutality occurring at the time.
Johnson’s best known albums include his debut “Dread Beat An’ Blood”, “Forces Of Victory”, “Bass Culture” and “Making History”. Across these albums are spread classics of the dub poetry school of performance - and, indeed, of reggae itself - such as “Dread Beat An’ Blood”, “Sonny’s Lettah, “
Inglan Is A Bitch” and “Independant Intavenshan”.When written, Johnson’s poetry makes clever use of the unstandardised transcription of Jamaican Creole.
Of late, Johnson has only performed live on an intermittent basis.
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Independant Intavenshan
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Bass Culture
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Forces Of Victory
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Dread Beat An' Blood
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Shoutbox
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KevinKevnQuevin wrote:
A poet who simply knew great music.
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jakobdorof wrote:
really starting to warm up to this guy
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kanto_sho wrote:
Forces Of Victory is a great intro record for those who normally have little interest in reggie/dub.
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sunheadbowed wrote:
inglan is a bitch!
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XBujinKoenX wrote:
FUCK Exodus, Exhumed, Meshuggah and Decapitated, next year I want LKJ on Ieperfest, He may not play Punk at least he IS Punk. @ least LKJ has depth, soul, spirit, poetry, a heart, compassion, rythm, political lyrics. This Grandmaster does not have to know one single HC band, not even CONFLICT or CRASS to be more HardCore than all the bands around today together! LKJ on Ieperfest next year!!!!!!!
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XBujinKoenX wrote:
Where Hardcore and Reggae meet Linton is on di beat!
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Sunzy wrote:
I wish he was playing more shows than jus the Latitude fest. I wanna see him perform live so bad!
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haroldvanevans wrote:
Really like his music and words,
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MagischKarpet wrote:
Really need to search through my LP's... got some Linton between them I know it.... Love!
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centzontotochti wrote:
LKJ reminds me of Leonard Cohen with a better beat
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rakudorje wrote:
boom boom boom
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iDoubleYou wrote:
Bazz
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HCiuco wrote:
bass culture
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Babylonthunder wrote:
Wan Fi Goh Rave
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muggehoeren wrote:
Fite Dem Back
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ExspectaMortem wrote:
I like "Making History".
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Sunzy wrote:
Inglan is a bitch, there is no escaping it.
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PartGreyBeard wrote:
I saw LJK perform once - a magical thing
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CureUbozech wrote:
hehe i thought it was my profile lol ppl jah jah bless the weeeds lololol
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DutchDavehead wrote:
"The poems contain graphic accounts of the often racist police brutality occurring at the time." "The poems contain graphic accounts of the alleged racist police brutality occurring at the time." Funny...first quote is from here, second is from wikipedia... Anyway, LKJ rules! ;-)
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lesgatto, hallondah, wordsofsummer and 4 other people added Linton Kwesi Johnson to their libraries. yesterday evening
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Dja128 tagged Linton Kwesi Johnson with ‘dub poetry’. Thursday evening
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themarias, paulhurworth, gaelch and 9 other people added Linton Kwesi Johnson to their libraries. Thursday morning
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Grinus tagged Linton Kwesi Johnson with dub and reggae. last month
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MashaSergio, zepozapo and massicervo added Linton Kwesi Johnson to their libraries. last month
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erichlind tagged Linton Kwesi Johnson with reggae and dub. last month
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ScriptGuard, lamyo and shankhead added Linton Kwesi Johnson to their libraries. last month
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k0ff13p07 connected Linton Kwesi Johnson to the group Anarchic Auricular Adventurers Association. last month
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DarthFader2000, naconer, CallaJazz4U and 2 other people added Linton Kwesi Johnson to their libraries. last month
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qyoo tagged Linton Kwesi Johnson with poet, conscious and political. last month
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