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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.

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Popular tags: reggae, dub, dub poetry, roots, jamaica  See more

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Top Albums

• Independant Intavenshan
  Linton Kwesi Johnson

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• Bass Culture
  Linton Kwesi Johnson

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• Forces Of Victory
  Linton Kwesi Johnson

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• Independant Intavenshan: The Island Anthology
  Linton Kwesi Johnson

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Top Tracks

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1		Inglan Is A Bitch			99
2		Want Fi Goh Rave			91
3		Fite Dem Back			81
4		Street 66			80
5		Sonny's Lettah (Anti-Sus Poem)			77
6		Bass Culture			61
7		Reggae Sounds			58
8		Reality Poem			56
9		It Noh Funny			55
10		Five Nights of Bleeding			48
11		Reggae Fi Peach			47
12		Loraine			44
13		Dread Beat An' Blood			43
14		Iron Bar Dub			42
15		Time Come			37

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