Linton Kwesi Johnson

Musician

Forlisteners of politically engaged reggae/dub, students of contemporary poetry and british immigrant culture, fans of dub poetry.
2 Reviews 1 Definitions 1 Charts

The Profile

Jamaican-born poet and musician, a pioneer of dub poetry whose work from the late 1970s onward blends reggae/dub soundscapes with politically charged spoken-word in patois, addressing immigration, racism and urban life in Britain.

Born in Jamaica (1952), moved to the UK and became a leading dub poet and recording artist from the late 1970s; frequently addresses racial injustice and immigrant experience in his work.

Two DeBaser reviews praise Linton Kwesi Johnson as a pioneer of dub poetry and a powerful voice on immigrant life and racial injustice in Britain. Reviewers highlight albums Bass Culture and Forces of Victory for their dense dub sound, political lyrics in patois, and emotional weight. The coverage emphasizes Johnson's role in bringing Jamaican oral traditions into a UK urban context. Overall reception in these reviews is strongly favorable.

Notable Quotes

❝ Forget about the Caribbean beach vibes, forget about finding background music for a joint with friends.

❝ Linton Kwesi Johnson is the true godfather of Dub music, he is the Dub Poetry par excellence, he is Jamaica sung from England, he is the Jamaican sun and impetuosity clashing with English rain and calmness.