Never thought I would see anyone react to LKJ. I'm a white guy from Merseyside (nr. Liverpool, UK). First heard him in 1980 - from a car playing him. I was already a Ska fan (at 10 years old). Heard this, blew my mind so much, I walked up to the man in the car to ask who it was. Went to Liverpool with my mates the day after to find something by him.
It's nice to see you react to this.My favourite Linton Kwesi Johnson song is "Inglan is a bitch." He's a UK Dub poet from the late 70's.He still performs today.🎶🌴🌿
I highly recommend the 1980 UK film, Babylon. For many reasons… it deals with the Thatcher-era sus laws in similarly direct terms. LKJ’s track “Time Come” was originally chosen to be in the ending climax of the film, and LKJ was asked to do the entire soundtrack, but logically, as a poet, he referred the project to Dennis Bovell (who created all of LKJ’s music backing tracks). The result is a wickedly awesome reggae and dub score. Finally, it’s simply a delightful and moving film to watch. You grow to love the characters despite their contradictions and flaws. Everyone, even the racist neighbor, has been pushed to their breaking point, yet there’s overwhelming joy and humor throughout.
What a great song. The understated reggae rhythm mixed with soft rap/poem really drew me in. Then through in the story line was reminiscent of some old country song, where the good son ends up in prison. Altogether it makes an easy listen about a sadly relevant topic.
The lyrics “Dem charge Jim fi sus ---- Dem charge mi fi murdah, Sus were stop and search laws brought into effect in the early 80’In England and Wales, the sus law (from "suspected person") was stop and search law that permitted a police officer to stop, search and potentially arrest people on suspicion of them being in breach of section 4 of the vagrancy Act of 1824. According to a 2018 study in the British journal of criminology, stop and search had a marginal impact on crime in the UK.
The band in this is one of the top reggae bands ever, led by the great Dennis Bovell. I saw LKJ several times in the 80's and 90s. Street 66 is a song that has a similar theme in that the speaker tells the cops who are pounding on his door telling him to open up: "Yes, this is Street 66. Step right in and take some licks".
Wik': (born 24 August 1952), also known as , is a Jamaican dub poet and activist who has been based in the United Kingdom since 1963. In 2002 he became the second living poet, and the only black poet, to be published in the Penguin Modern Classics series ....Me: I first heard LKJ on John Peel's (iconic) BBCradio1 show 10-midnight through the 80's which is where i got introduced to a lot of my favourite bands and musical genres ... post punk, ska, juju, indie, dub and poets like LKJ, Michael Smith and Benjamin Zephaniah ... the latter have become a kind of beloved English cultural institution ... sort of ... over
Just catching this now, but overjoyed you heard this. He is iconic and foundational, and if you like dub poetry , there is nothing fiercer than Oku Onoura's Pressure Drop. You can have a lot of fun with Mutabaruka's Check It, and Michael Smith is important, but Oku Onoura...and his band, AK7...Pressure Drop. (There's even a dub version of it, better than LKJ' In Dub).
LKJ is not a new artist. He started his poetry works in the early 70s and his first record dates from the late 70s. I guess you have checked more of his work since your video. This is a highly intelligent social equality and justice fighter who's weapons are words, along with deep reggae music mostly given shape by Dennis Bovell.
This is a poem. He is a dub poet. It's a genre. But he is also an activist. This was real. Do yourselves a favour and really check lkj up.
Never thought I would see anyone react to LKJ. I'm a white guy from Merseyside (nr. Liverpool, UK). First heard him in 1980 - from a car playing him. I was already a Ska fan (at 10 years old). Heard this, blew my mind so much, I walked up to the man in the car to ask who it was. Went to Liverpool with my mates the day after to find something by him.
A British Jamaican beat poet who was/is highly regarded for his social and political observation and commentary
Linton Kwesi Johnson was a poet, may he rest in peace.
Linton is not dead
It's nice to see you react to this.My favourite Linton Kwesi Johnson song is "Inglan is a bitch." He's a UK Dub poet from the late 70's.He still performs today.🎶🌴🌿
Thanks for the info, and thanks for watching!
I highly recommend the 1980 UK film, Babylon. For many reasons… it deals with the Thatcher-era sus laws in similarly direct terms. LKJ’s track “Time Come” was originally chosen to be in the ending climax of the film, and LKJ was asked to do the entire soundtrack, but logically, as a poet, he referred the project to Dennis Bovell (who created all of LKJ’s music backing tracks). The result is a wickedly awesome reggae and dub score. Finally, it’s simply a delightful and moving film to watch. You grow to love the characters despite their contradictions and flaws. Everyone, even the racist neighbor, has been pushed to their breaking point, yet there’s overwhelming joy and humor throughout.
So much better than bieber, gaga and 99,9% of the charts...
First saw him recite his poetry in Dublin in the 80s, Love his stuff. Fight dem back regularly played.
What a great song. The understated reggae rhythm mixed with soft rap/poem really drew me in. Then through in the story line was reminiscent of some old country song, where the good son ends up in prison. Altogether it makes an easy listen about a sadly relevant topic.
Well said
The lyrics “Dem charge Jim fi sus ---- Dem charge mi fi murdah, Sus were stop and search laws brought into effect in the early 80’In England and Wales, the sus law (from "suspected person") was stop and search law that permitted a police officer to stop, search and potentially arrest people on suspicion of them being in breach of section 4 of the vagrancy Act of 1824. According to a 2018 study in the British journal of criminology, stop and search had a marginal impact on crime in the UK.
AHHHH SHIT!! Ya'll ARE THE ONLY ONES TO REACT TO THIS AMAZING POEM..KUDOS SIGHT AFTER DARK>>>BEAUCOUP KUDOS!! YESSSSSSS!
Thanks for watching!!
The band in this is one of the top reggae bands ever, led by the great Dennis Bovell. I saw LKJ several times in the 80's and 90s. Street 66 is a song that has a similar theme in that the speaker tells the cops who are pounding on his door telling him to open up: "Yes, this is Street 66. Step right in and take some licks".
I envy the fact you are just discovering it. I still remember my first time. Over 20y ago :)
Wik': (born 24 August 1952), also known as , is a Jamaican dub poet and activist who has been based in the United Kingdom since 1963. In 2002 he became the second living poet, and the only black poet, to be published in the Penguin Modern Classics series ....Me: I first heard LKJ on John Peel's (iconic) BBCradio1 show 10-midnight through the 80's which is where i got introduced to a lot of my favourite bands and musical genres ... post punk, ska, juju, indie, dub and poets like LKJ, Michael Smith and Benjamin Zephaniah ... the latter have become a kind of beloved English cultural institution ... sort of ... over
Powerful poem by LKJ. Great roots music.
Saw LKJ play in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1996. He was brilliant. He started in the late 1970s.
Amazing! Thanks for watching Carlo!
Your reviews are excellent! LKJ Dread, Beat and Blood please.
Thanks so much! We’re glad you enjoyed the video Gail!
Guitar by brilliant South African player John Kpiaye
The John Peel session version is acapella and so more intimate.
LKJ. So deep. Now give Gil Scott Heron a try
We know Gil! Thanks for watching KB!
Just catching this now, but overjoyed you heard this. He is iconic and foundational, and if you like dub poetry , there is nothing fiercer than Oku Onoura's Pressure Drop. You can have a lot of fun with Mutabaruka's Check It, and Michael Smith is important, but Oku Onoura...and his band, AK7...Pressure Drop. (There's even a dub version of it, better than LKJ' In Dub).
Thanks so much!
LKJ is not a new artist. He started his poetry works in the early 70s and his first record dates from the late 70s. I guess you have checked more of his work since your video. This is a highly intelligent social equality and justice fighter who's weapons are words, along with deep reggae music mostly given shape by Dennis Bovell.
Thanks for the info Heer! Yes, we’ve heard some more and really enjoyed!
Listen to Fite Dem Back
Thanks!
Try - Five Nights Of Bleeding.