Linton Kwesi Johnson (aka LKJ) (born 24 August 1952, in Chapelton, Jamaica)… Read Full Bio ↴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.
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.
www.lintonkwesijohnson.com
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.
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.
www.lintonkwesijohnson.com
Peach Dub
Linton Kwesi Johnson Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Linton Kwesi Johnson:
All Wi Doin Is Defendin War... war... Mi sae, lissen Oppressin man Hear what I say i…
Bass Culture Muzik of blood Black reared Pain rooted Heart geared All te…
Bitch Dub W´en mi jus´ come to Landan toun Mi use to…
Cold War Dub Волоса, цветы, клеши, Кислота, трава и вши. Андерграунд, Джо…
Come Wi Goh Dung Deh Come, wi go dung deh Mek wi tek a ride dung…
De Black Petty Booshwah Dem wiÂ'gi' whey dem talent to di state AnÂ'di black workinÂ…
Di Anfinish Revahlueshan Now watchta mistah man Mi noh like di way yu tan An…
Di Black Petty Booshwah Dem wiÂ'gi' whey dem talent to di state AnÂ'di black workinÂ…
Di Eagle An DI EAGLE AND DI BEAR Di Eagle and di Bear a…
Di Great Insohreckshan It was in April, nineteen.....eighty one Down 'n on dee ghe…
Doun Heavy, heavy terror on de rampage But don't you worry, it…
Doun de Road Heavy, heavy terror on de rampage But don't you worry, it…
Dread Beat An' Blood brothers and sisters rocking a dread beat, pulsing fire, bu…
Dreas Inna Inglan Dem frame up George Lindo up in Bradford town But de…
Dubbin Di Revalueshan Now watchta mistah man Mi noh like di way yu tan An…
Fight Dem Back We gonna smash their brains in Cause they ain't got…
Fite Them Back We gonna smash their brains in Cause they ain't got…
Five Night Bleeding Madness, madness Madness tight on the heads of the rebels Th…
Five Nites Of Bleeding Madness, madness Madness tight on the heads of the rebels …
Forces Of Viktry Forces of Viktry And we're coming right thru Yeah the forc…
Hurricane Blues Linton Kwesi Johnson langtime lovah mi mine run pan yu all …
If I Waz a Tap Natch Poet If I woz a tap-natch poet Like Chris Okigbo Derek Walcot Ar …
Independant Intavenshan Mek them Gwaan No outcome But a reel of the real writers…
Inglan Is A Bitch Inglan is a bitch Inglan is a bitch w'en mi jus' come…
Intro / Di Eagle An Di Bear DI EAGLE AND DI BEAR Di Eagle and di Bear a…
Iron Bar From Brixton Prison, Jebb Avenue London S.W. 2 Inglan Dem t…
It Dread Inna Inglan Dem frame up George Lindo up in Bradford town But de…
It Noh Funny people sayin´ dis people sayin´ dat `bout di yout´ af…
It_noh_funny people sayin´ dis people sayin´ dat `bout di yout´ af…
Liesense Fi Kill sometiem mi tink mi coe-workah crazy di way kristeen woodah…
LKJ-Making History Mekkin Histri now tell mi someting mistah govahment tell…
LKJ-Want Fi Goh Rave I woz Waakin doun di road road Di addah day When a hear…
Loraine Whenever it rains I think of you And I always remember…
Making History Mekkin Histri now tell mi someting mistah govahment tell mi…
Man Free (For Darcus Howe) Darcus outta jail Race Today cannot fail …
Mekkin histri now tell mi someting mistah govahment man tell mi someting …
Mi Revahlueshanary Fren Mi revalueshanary fren is nat di same agen Yu know fram…
More Time wi mawchin out di ole towards di new centri arm wid…
New World Hawdah Di killahs a Kigale Mus be sanitary workaz Di butchaz a…
Noh Funny people sayin´ dis people sayin´ dat `bout di yout´ af…
Poems of Shape and Motion I was wondering if I could shape this passion Just as…
Reality Poem This is the age of reality But some of us deal…
Reality_poem Dis is di age af reality But some a wi a…
Reggae Fi Bernard Wi nevah come fram di same blood-line but wi pawt kriss-kra…
Reggae Fi Dada galang dada galang gwwaan yaw sah yu nevvah ad noh life fi…
Reggae fi May Ayim It weard ow life wit det kyan canspyah Fi shattah di…
Reggae Fi Peach Everywhere you go its the talk of the day, Everywhere you…
Reggae Fi Radni You nuh see how de clou' them jus' came sit…
Reggae Sounds Shock, black double down-beat bouncin' Rock-wize tumble doun…
Seasons of the Heart Beguiled by blue moon Oh, enchanting light We lost our way l…
Sense Outa Nansense Di innocent an di fool could paas fi twin But haas…
Song of Blood I trod de day All de way An ride de night Clutchin site Movi…
Sonny Dear mama Good day I hope that when these few lines reach…
Sonny’s Lettah Dear mama Good day I hope that when these few lines reach…
Story Wance upon a time Jus like inna nursery rime Before piggy tu…
Street The room was dark Dusk howling softly 6 o'clock Charcoal lig…
Street '66 The room was dark Dusk howling softly 6 o'clock Charcoal l…
Street 66 The room was dark Dusk howling softly 6 o'clock Charcoal lig…
Time Come it soon come it soon come look out! look out! look out! …
Tings an Duped Doped Demoralised Dizzied Dozed Traumatized Blinded b…
Tings An` Times Duped Doped Demoralised Dizzied Dozed Traumatized Bl…
Two Sides Of Silence To us Who were Of necessary birth For the earths hard And th…
Two sounds of silence to us who were of necessary birth for the earths hard an…
Wan Fe Go Rave I woz Waakin doun di road road Di addah day When a hear…
Wat About di Workin Claas From Inglan to Poland Every step across di ocean The ruling …
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Selby Gama
on New Word Hawdah
In the early eighties, whilst at university and revelling in LKJ's dub-poetry, I stumbled upon a a commentary which spoke of him in these terms, "his lyrics explode like bombs and his voice is too important to ignore." Three and a half decades later, still revelling in his dub-poetry, this has a stronger resonance and remains apt. His music makes the clarity complete. I named one of my sons Lynton, and have taken time to explain to him the significance of my christening him so. Thank you LKJ for those explosive dynamite lyrics and that all too important voice.