Dub Poetry: The Preambule

Music and poetry have been intertwined since many years ago. A very solid and unseparable relationship. These two things work well together as an autonomous form of art. Music is an important part of every culture, and poetry has long existed to convey a meaning, a very solid relationship indeed.

In the realm of Jamaican sound music, poetry is also one of the crucial phenomena and important variables that continues to develop until now, Dub Poetry. Having the same spirit as music for the folks as other musical treasures of Jamaican music, Dub Poetry also presents a similar cultural affinity.

Started in Jamaica, through the reggae riddim, the poets pour their poetry. Poetry that is so close to social awareness, justice and also became a big voice at that time was motivated by the political constellation between JLP (Jamaica Labor Party) and PNP (National People’s Party) that brings a social upheaval.

The close relationship between music and poetry in Dub Poetry in Jamaica is so dynamic, Dub Poetry has become one of the world’s favorite colors as well as other Jamaican musical nexus. Starting from the oral art of Jamaica echoed by U-Roy and Big Youth, the reggae rhythmic alongside Nyabinghi beats and the rastafarian spiritual view of social turmoil, Dub Poetry gently transformed to other countries such as England, Canada and eventually worldwide.

Here is a list of classic dub poetry releases from kultur in this short issue:

1
Oku Onuora - Reflection In Red

Orlando Wong is a true pioneer for Dub Poetry’s world. He has African-Chinese blood. He uses the name Oku Onuora which means "Voice of the People" as his identity. “Reflection In Red” is the world's first dub poet. The song was recorded in Harry J's studio in 1979 and released through Bob Marley's prominent musical imprint, 56 Hope Road. Until now Oku Onuora is still producing his works, a true pioneer!

 

2
Mutabaruka - Outcry

As a music release, Dub Poetry from Jamaica has one of the big names with strong identity who often speak up about the inhumanity of slavery, speak loudly with power through his powerful words. He is Allan Hope who later uses the name Mutabaruka. In Rwandan, mutabaruka means "One who always wins". He did win the awareness that he shared with the audience through his two radio shows, Cutting Edge and Steppin' Razor. In 1984, he released an important signature in Dub Poetry's repertoire, the album Outcry. This LP was released by the American music label, Shanachie.

3
Michael Smith (Mikey Smith) - Mi Cyaan Believe It

Amiri Baraka, an American poet, writer of drama, fiction, essays, and music critic in the book “Eulogies” writes about Michael Smith (Mikey Smith). Amiri cast Mikey Smith as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King of the Caribbean. Michael Smith developed as truly revolutionary intellectuals and revolutionary artists, whose works issue from the collective mind, memory and feelings of the people! “Mi Cyaan Believe It” (1982) is an example of the power of street vernacular, often delivered quickly by Michael Smith, his poems conveying a gripping realism powerfully.

4
Jean "Binta" Breeze - Mad Woman

Jean "Binta" Breeze was the first female poet from Jamaica. She was awarded the “Member of the Order of the British Empire'' in 2012 from the Queen of England for her service to literature. Jean, alongside Oku Onuora, Mutabaruka and Michael Smith, were a poetess group that gave the ferment change to dub poetry from the very beginning. We can start to know one of her big legacy through The song "Mad Woman" from the album "Eena Me Corner" (2009), her collaboration with one of the British maestro, Dennis Bovell.

 

5
Linton Kwesi Johnson - Dread Beat An' Blood

He was born in Jamaica. In 1963, he moved to England at the age of 11. This man's name is Linton Kwesi Johnson. LKJ, as he was known, was the one who coined the phrase “Dub Poetry”. He completed his sociology studies at Goldsmiths College. In an interview, he explained that his passion for writing was inspired by his activities in the Black Panther organization since he was a teenager. Until now he has released dozens of albums and his book "Selected Poems" was even published by Penguin classic. “Dread Beat An' Blood” (Virgin Records, 1978) is one of the gateways to getting to know this legend more.

6
Benjamin Zephaniah - Dis Policeman Keeps On Kicking Me To Death

“Dis Policeman Keeps On Kicking Me To Death” from the album “Rasta” (1983) is our choice in this list to get to know Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah. He grew up in the city of Birmingham, England. He's an author, actor and poet. His works in the 1980s became the “soundtrack” in many of the protests about high unemployment and other social unrest by the punks and the rastafarians. Benjamin Zephaniah's poems are heard loudly on the streets, in police station grounds as well as on many dance floors. It brings the identity of dub poetry more broadly. Even Nelson Mandela asked him to host a concert for Mandela in England. The United Kingdom grants the title OBE, but Benjamin refused this.

 

7
Lilian Allen - Rub A Dub Style Inna Regent Park

Not only England, Canada is one country that is closely related to the birth of dub poetry. One of the activists is Lilian Allen, a Jamaican-born female poet. She is known as one of the most political figures in the many poems she wrote. She became the voice of black feminists, she brought the voice of protest in a careful and detailed manner as a political praxis. She doesn't just work purely through dub poetry. She uses many media to accompany her poetry, including through radio programs, books, and documentaries. “Rub A Dub Style Inna Regent Park” from the album “Revolutionary Tea Party” (1986) can be an introduction to getting to know Lillian Allen more.
(Sam)

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