Linton Kwesi Johnson

Linton Kwesi Johnson

24648 fans

A political writer and activist who delivered his poetry to dubby, reggae backbeats, Linton Kwesi Johnson was a proud voice for British-Jamaicans amid tensions over race riots, Thatcherism and recession in the 1980s. Born in Chapelton, in rural Jamaica, Johnson moved to London in 1963 and ran poetry workshops for the Black Panthers whilst still in school, before studying sociology at Goldsmiths University, London and penning articles for the socialist paper Race Today and music reviews for NME and Melody Maker magazines. His debut album Dread Beat An' Blood (1978) captured the inner city problems and his track All Wi Doin' Is Defending became a passionate rallying call. In the wake of the 1981 Brixton Riots his work on albums Forces Of Victory (1979), Bass Culture (1980) and Making History (1983) became acutely relevant and potent. His use of Jamaican slang and the rhythm of his words gave him a distinctive style and, although his records became more infrequent after 1991's Tings An' Times, he went on to influence a new generation of socially conscious hip hop stars and became the first black poet to be published alongside John Betjeman and John Keats in the Penguin Modern Classics series.

Top tracks

04
Song Of Blood
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat And Blood
06:28
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
03
Doun De Road
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat And Blood
02:27
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
04
Di Black Petty Booshwah
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
03:47
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
09
Fite Dem Back
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Reggae Greats (Reissue)
04:27
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
06
Loraine
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
04:06
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
05
Inglan Is A Bitch
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
05:24
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
03
Sonny's Lettah (Anti-Sus Poem)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
03:50
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
01
Bass Culture
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
06:02
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
01
Dread Beat An' Blood
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat And Blood
03:00
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
05
It Dread Inna Inglan
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat And Blood
04:05
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
06
Reality Poem
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
04:44
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
02
Five Nights Of Bleeding
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat And Blood
04:29
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
01
Want Fi Goh Rave
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
04:20
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
04
Bass Culture
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Reggae Greats (Reissue)
06:02
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
07
Forces Of Viktry
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
04:56
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
08
Two Sides Of Silence
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
02:13
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
03
Reggae Fi Peach
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
02:40
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
02
Street 66
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
03:44
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
01
Victorious (Dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
LKJ In Dub
03:33
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
04
Independent Intavenshan
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
04:20
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
02
Navegar Impreciso
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso
Severino (Remastered)
03:24
Composers: Herbert Vianna
07
Reggae Sounds
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
03:06
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
10
Defense (Dub / 1990 Digital Remaster)
Poet And The Roots
Dread Beat An' Blood
03:13
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
03
Peach (Dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
LKJ In Dub
03:49
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
07
Cultural (Dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
LKJ In Dub
03:28
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
08
Brain Smashing (Dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
LKJ In Dub
03:28
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
04
Shocking (Dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
LKJ In Dub
04:46
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
06
Bitch (Dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
LKJ In Dub
04:37
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
08
Reggae Fi Radni
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Reggae Greats (Reissue)
04:24
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
08
Time Come
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
03:28
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
02
It Noh Funny
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
03:42
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
06
Come Wi Goh Dung Deh
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat And Blood
03:47
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson

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  • Discography
Albums
Reggae Greats (Reissue)
This Compilation â„— 1997 Spectrum Music
01-01-1985
Reggae Greats (Reissue)
01
Reggae Sounds
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Reggae Greats (Reissue)
03:06
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
02
Independent Intavenshan
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Reggae Greats (Reissue)
04:20
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
03
Street 66
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Reggae Greats (Reissue)
03:44
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
04
Bass Culture
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Reggae Greats (Reissue)
06:02
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
05
Di Great Insohreckshan
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Reggae Greats (Reissue)
04:02
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
06
It Noh Funny
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Reggae Greats (Reissue)
03:42
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
07
Sonny's Lettah (Anti-Sus Poem)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Reggae Greats (Reissue)
03:50
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Bass Culture
â„— 1980 Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
01-01-1980
Bass Culture
01
Bass Culture
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
06:02
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
02
Street 66
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
03:44
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
03
Reggae Fi Peach
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
02:40
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
04
Di Black Petty Booshwah
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
03:47
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
05
Inglan Is A Bitch
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
05:24
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
06
Loraine
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
04:06
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
07
Reggae Sounds
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
03:06
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
LKJ In Dub
â„— 1980 Island Records Ltd.
01-01-1980
LKJ In Dub
01
Victorious (Dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
LKJ In Dub
03:33
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
02
Reality (Dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
LKJ In Dub
02:47
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
03
Peach (Dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
LKJ In Dub
03:49
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
04
Shocking (Dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
LKJ In Dub
04:46
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
05
Iron Bar (Dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
LKJ In Dub
03:42
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
06
Bitch (Dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
LKJ In Dub
04:37
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
07
Cultural (Dub)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
LKJ In Dub
03:28
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
Forces Of Victory
â„— 1979 Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
01-01-1979
Forces Of Victory
01
Want Fi Goh Rave
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
04:20
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
02
It Noh Funny
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
03:42
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
03
Sonny's Lettah (Anti-Sus Poem)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
03:50
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
04
Independent Intavenshan
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
04:20
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
05
Fite Dem Back
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
04:27
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
06
Reality Poem
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
04:44
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
07
Forces Of Viktry
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Forces Of Victory
04:56
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
Dread Beat And Blood
(P) 2012 Ackee Dist.
01-08-1978
Dread Beat And Blood
01
Dread Beat An' Blood
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat And Blood
03:00
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
02
Five Nights Of Bleeding
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat And Blood
04:29
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
03
Doun De Road
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat And Blood
02:27
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
04
Song Of Blood
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat And Blood
06:28
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
05
It Dread Inna Inglan
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat And Blood
04:05
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
06
Come Wi Goh Dung Deh
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat And Blood
03:47
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
07
Man Free
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat And Blood
06:02
Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Featured in
Severino (Remastered)
â„— 2013 EMI Music Brasil Ltda
18-03-1994
Severino (Remastered)
01
Não Me Estrague O Dia
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso
Severino (Remastered)
02:18
Composers: Herbert Vianna - Bi Ribeiro
02
Navegar Impreciso
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso
Severino (Remastered)
03:24
Composers: Herbert Vianna
03
Varal
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso
Severino (Remastered)
03:40
Composers: Herbert Vianna
04
Requiem Do Pequeno
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso
Severino (Remastered)
02:54
Composers: Herbert Vianna
05
Vamo Bate Lata
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso
Severino (Remastered)
02:56
Composers: Herbert Vianna
06
El Vampiro Bajo El Sol
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso
Severino (Remastered)
04:17
Composers: Fito Páez - Herbert Vianna
07
Musico
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso
Severino (Remastered)
03:14
Composers: Tom Zé
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Small Axe (Music Inspired By The Original TV Series)
This Compilation â„— 2021 Universal Music Operations Limited
11-06-2021
Small Axe (Music Inspired By The Original TV Series)
01
Protest
Mica Levi
Small Axe (Music Inspired By The Original TV Series)
02:10
Writer: Mica Levi / Composers: Mica Levi
02
Pressure Drop (Single Version)
Toots & The Maytals
Small Axe (Music Inspired By The Original TV Series)
02:53
Writer: Frederick Hibbert / Composers: Frederick Hibbert - Chris Blackwell - Warwick Lyn
03
Throw Away Your Gun
Prince Far I
Small Axe (Music Inspired By The Original TV Series)
04:23
Composers: Michael Williams
04
New Crass Massahkah
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Small Axe (Music Inspired By The Original TV Series)
06:30
Writer: Linton Kwesi Johnson / Composers: Linton Kwesi Johnson
05
Uprising
Sheyi Cole
Small Axe (Music Inspired By The Original TV Series)
01:32
Writer: Not Applicable / Composers: Not Applicable
06
Got To Give It Up
Marvin Gaye
Small Axe (Music Inspired By The Original TV Series)
04:03
Writer: Marvin Gaye / Composers: Marvin Gaye
07
Silly Games
Tiana Major9
Small Axe (Music Inspired By The Original TV Series)
03:52
Writer: John Myatt - Diana Bovell / Composers: John Myatt - Diana Bovell
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
This Is What I Dub, Vol. 1
BGP Records
06-04-2020
This Is What I Dub, Vol. 1
01
Bigger Than War (George Clinton Edit)
Boy George
This Is What I Dub, Vol. 1
04:57
Writer: George O'Dowd / Composers: Richie Stevens
02
Vanity Project
Boy George
This Is What I Dub, Vol. 1
03:28
Writer: George O'Dowd / Composers: Richie Stevens
03
Things Are Gonna Change
Boy George
This Is What I Dub, Vol. 1
03:13
Writer: George O'Dowd / Composers: Richie Stevens
04
Star Dub
Boy George
This Is What I Dub, Vol. 1
03:37
Writer: George O'Dowd / Composers: Richie Stevens - John Themis - Kevan Frost
05
Nice N Dub
Boy George
This Is What I Dub, Vol. 1
04:06
Writer: George O'Dowd / Composers: Richie Stevens - John Themis - Kevan Frost
06
Dub Your Life
Boy George
This Is What I Dub, Vol. 1
04:48
Writer: George O'Dowd / Composers: Richie Stevens
07
Original Sin
Boy George
This Is What I Dub, Vol. 1
05:18
Writer: George O'Dowd / Composers: Richie Stevens - Sinead Egan
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Reggae Collected
â„— 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc.
03-02-2023
Reggae Collected
01
1865 (96º In The Shade)
Third World
Reggae Collected
04:27
Writer: Michael Cooper - Stephen Haldane Coore - William Alexander Clarke / Composers: Michael Cooper - Stephen Haldane Coore - William Alexander Clarke
02
Mary Mary
Inner Circle
Reggae Collected
05:11
Writer: Wayne I. Lewis - Jacob Miller - Russel R. Lewis / Composers: Wayne I. Lewis - Jacob Miller - Russel R. Lewis
03
The Harder They Come (From “The Harder They Come” / Film Version)
Jimmy Cliff
Reggae Collected
03:46
Writer: Jimmy Cliff / Composers: Jimmy Cliff
04
Uptown Top Ranking (Remastered 2001)
Althea & Donna
Reggae Collected
03:49
Writer: A. Forrest - D. Reid / Composers: A. Forrest - D. Reid
05
Night Nurse
Gregory Isaacs
Reggae Collected
04:04
Composers: Gregory Isaacs - Sylvester Weise
06
54-46 (Was My Number)
Toots & The Maytals
Reggae Collected
03:10
Writer: Frederick Hibbert / Composers: Frederick Hibbert
07
Turn Your Lights Down Low
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Reggae Collected
05:46
Writer: Bob Marley - Richard Rudolph - Minnie Riperton / Composers: Bob Marley - Richard Rudolph - Minnie Riperton
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
Spirit of Talk Talk
(P) 2012 Fierce Panda Records
03-09-2012
Spirit of Talk Talk
01
Wealth
Lone Wolf
Spirit of Talk Talk
06:00
Composers: Mark Hollis - Tim Friese-Greene
02
The Colour of Spring
Zero 7
Spirit of Talk Talk
05:32
Composers: Mark Hollis - Phil Ramacon
03
I Believe in You
S. Carey
Spirit of Talk Talk
06:45
Composers: Mark Hollis - Tim Friese-Greene
04
Dum Dum Girl
Recoil
Spirit of Talk Talk
05:31
Composers: Mark Hollis - Tim Friese-Greene
05
Life's What You Make It
Duncan Sheik
Spirit of Talk Talk
04:35
Composers: Mark Hollis - Tim Friese-Greene
06
The Rainbow
Fyfe Dangerfield
Spirit of Talk Talk
06:18
Composers: Mark Hollis - Tim Friese-Greene
07
After the Flood
Alaska
Spirit of Talk Talk
05:33
Composers: Mark Hollis - Tim Friese-Greene
Access the complete album info (33 songs)
Reggae Hits 2022
â„— 2022 UMG Recordings, Inc.
08-07-2022
Reggae Hits 2022
01
Don't Turn Around
Aswad
Reggae Hits 2022
03:38
Writer: Diane Warren - Albert Hammond / Composers: Diane Warren - Albert Hammond
02
Pass The Dutchie
Musical Youth
Reggae Hits 2022
03:23
Writer: Anthony Ferguson - George Bennett - Leroy Sibbles - Ogilvie Fitzroy Simpson - Jackie Mittoo - Robert Bernard Lyn - Huford Benjamin Brown / Composers: Anthony Ferguson - George Bennett - Leroy Sibbles - Ogilvie Fitzroy Simpson - Jackie Mittoo - Robert Bernard Lyn - Huford Benjamin Brown
03
King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown
Augustus Pablo
Reggae Hits 2022
02:32
Writer: Augustus Pablo - Horace Michael Swaby / Composers: Augustus Pablo - Horace Michael Swaby
04
Sponji Reggae
Black Uhuru
Reggae Hits 2022
04:16
Writer: Michael Rose / Composers: Michael Rose
05
Don't Worry Be Happy
Bobby McFerrin
Reggae Hits 2022
04:51
Writer: Bobby McFerrin / Composers: Bobby McFerrin
06
Dream Land
Bunny Wailer
Reggae Hits 2022
02:44
Writer: Neville O'Riley Livingston / Composers: Neville O'Riley Livingston
07
Slavery Days
Burning Spear
Reggae Hits 2022
03:31
Writer: Winston Rodney - Phillip J. Fullwood / Composers: Winston Rodney - Phillip J. Fullwood
Access the complete album info (53 songs)
Pure Reggae
(P) 2015 V.R Pop D3
11-12-2015
Pure Reggae
01
It Mek
Desmond Dekker
Pure Reggae
02:26
Composers: Dekker
02
Cheer Up
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Pure Reggae
02:04
Composers: Marley
03
Hole in My Bucket
Thompson
Pure Reggae
02:51
Composers: Thompson
04
Three Little Birds
Soul Train
Pure Reggae
03:23
Composers: Marley
05
Soul Fire
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Pure Reggae
03:48
Composers: Perry
06
Lady
The Greatest
Pure Reggae
03:17
Composers: Ritchie
07
Corner Store
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Pure Reggae
02:19
Composers: Richman
Access the complete album info (50 songs)
Insurrection (feat. Linton Kwesi Johnson)
2015 Lucky Thunder
05-01-2015
Insurrection (feat. Linton Kwesi Johnson)
01
Insurrection (feat. Linton Kwesi Johnson)
Hiatus
Insurrection (feat. Linton Kwesi Johnson)
03:13
Ki Sap Instrumental
06-06-2007
Ki Sap Instrumental
01
A2
The Shake It Up's
Ki Sap Instrumental
03:32
02
Blanc i Negre
The Shake It Up's
Ki Sap Instrumental
03:47
03
Saudade
The Shake It Up's
Ki Sap Instrumental
02:41
04
Ultraman Vs. Dr. Jau
The Shake It Up's
Ki Sap Instrumental
04:02
05
Run For Cover
The Shake It Up's
Ki Sap Instrumental
03:54
06
Shake It Up
The Shake It Up's
Ki Sap Instrumental
02:56
07
Autobeat
The Shake It Up's
Ki Sap Instrumental
03:32
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
The Reckoning
The Daisy Label
27-11-2020
The Reckoning
01
Merry Go Round
Sharon Shannon
The Reckoning
03:11
Composers: Sharon Shannon - Dónal Lunny
02
The Reckoning
Sharon Shannon
The Reckoning
03:13
Writer: Sharon Shannon - Jon Allen - Craig Mulvagh / Composers: Sharon Shannon - Jon Allen - Craig Mulvagh
03
Daddy Shannon's Jig / The Bealacana Polka
Sharon Shannon
The Reckoning
04:12
Composers: Sharon Shannon - James Patrick Murray
04
Unlocked
Sharon Shannon
The Reckoning
03:21
Composers: Sharon Shannon - Justin Adams - Craig Mulvagh
05
The Beast from the East
Sharon Shannon
The Reckoning
03:00
Composers: Sharon Shannon - Craig Mulvagh
06
Harmony Hall
Sharon Shannon
The Reckoning
04:09
Composers: Sharon Shannon - Nikolaj Busk - Ale Carr - Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen
07
Silver Dollar / Audrey's Polka
Sharon Shannon
The Reckoning
03:08
Composers: Sharon Shannon - James Patrick Murray
Access the complete album info (12 songs)