Linton Kwesi Johnson
(1952-), Poet and musicianSitter in 2 portraits
Reggae poet, broadcaster and recording artist. Jamaican-born Johnson came to London in 1963. Educated at Tulse Hill Secondary School, he later studied Sociology at Goldsmith's College, University of London. He helped to organise a poetry workshop at school. He joined a group called Black Panthers. developing his own work with Rasta Love, a group of poets and drummers. Awarded a C Day Lewis Fellowship (1977), he became the writer-in-residence for the London Borough of Lambeth in the same year. His first poem appeared in the journal Race Today. By 1975 he had published his first and second collection of poems, released his first LP Dread Beat An' Blood and a documentary film by the same name about his work. Other published collections include MiRevalueshanaryFren, albums of recorded work include Bass Culture and LKJ in Dub.
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.