Linton Kwesi Johnson

Johnson's poetry is delivered in the thick Patois of Jamaica, although the man himself is capable of sounding much more "well educated" in speeches to students and politicians.
Most of Johnson's poetry is political, dealing with the experiences of being "black British". His most famous pieces were written during the Thatcher administration in the UK and often describe then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as having "'er racist show", as well as containing horrific accounts of police brutality with racial overtones.

Johnson's most famous 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 Independent Intavenshan.

Of late, Johnson has only performed live on an intermittent basis. Some of this can be attributed to the reggae demographic's shift towards the more spontaneous and rapid-fire performers of raggamuffin or dancehall music, however another reason is simply that he is aging and cannot keep up with the demands of a world tour.

Johnson's record label LKJ Records is home to other reggae artists, some of whom made up The Dub Band, with whom Johnson mostly recorded, and other Dub Poets, such as Jean Binta Breeze.

Johnson attended Goldsmiths College in New Cross, London, which currently holds his personal papers in its archives.

External links