Verbal Riddim: Dub Poetry

Dub poetry is a bold and musical genre that uses the vivid expressions of everyday spoken language to describe and challenge the experience of life on the margins. It was born in the reggae culture of 1970s Kingston and has since spread to other parts of the world, giving marginalized people a voice for their anger, defiance, and creativity. This collection brings together the work of nine inventive and brilliant poets who defined and drove the dub poetry genre, spanning forty years and addressing issues such as police violence, slums, poverty, racism, discrimination, and hostility.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2023
Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Dub poetry is a vibrant and dynamic form of artistic expression that blends boldness, musicality, humor, and fury. It emerged as a powerful cultural and creative force, with its roots in the reggae culture of 1970s Kingston, Jamaica. Dub poetry utilizes the vivid language of everyday spoken communication to depict and challenge the experiences of individuals living on the fringes of society.

In its early stages, dub poetry addressed issues such as police violence, slums, and poverty, reflecting the social and economic realities of the time. As Caribbean migrants arrived in countries like Britain and Canada, they faced new challenges, including racism, discrimination, and hostility. Dub poetry became a platform for marginalized voices to express their anger, defiance, and creativity, providing a soundtrack to the post-Windrush culture.

This collection brings together the work of nine innovative and brilliant poets who have defined and driven the dub poetry genre. These poets hail from various parts of the world, including the Caribbean, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Their poetry spans forty years, during which dub has evolved from a cultural movement to a powerful creative force.

Dub poetry is characterized by its use of rhythm, sound, and imagery to create a powerful and immersive experience. It often incorporates elements of reggae music, with its deep basslines and syncopated beats, to enhance the emotional impact of the words. The poets in this collection employ a range of poetic techniques, including rhyme, alliteration, and metaphor, to convey their messages and evoke strong emotions in the reader.

One of the defining features of dub poetry is its ability to blend humor and seriousness, creating a nuanced and complex portrayal of the human experience. The poets in this collection are skilled at using irony, sarcasm, and wit to challenge societal norms and power structures, while also offering moments of levity and humor to lighten the mood.

Another notable aspect of dub poetry is its ability to address social and political issues with a sense of urgency and immediacy. The poets in this collection use their words to raise awareness about the struggles of marginalized communities, advocating for change and social justice. They use their poetry as a tool for activism and empowerment, inspiring others to join the fight for a better world.

The poets included in this collection are:

Oku Onuora is a Nigerian-born poet and playwright who has been a leading figure in the dub poetry scene for over three decades. His work often explores themes of identity, culture, and social justice, using a combination of spoken word, music, and visual art to create powerful and immersive performances.

Mikey Smith is a British dub poet and musician who has been performing since the 1980s. He is known for his politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and hip-hop music. Smith's work often addresses issues of racism, inequality, and social exclusion, using his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower his audience.

Mutabaruka is a Jamaican-born poet and musician who has been a prominent figure in the dub poetry scene since the 1970s. He is known for his politically charged and socially conscious poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and dancehall music. Mutabaruka's work often addresses issues of colonialism, slavery, and social injustice, using his powerful voice and infectious energy to inspire and empower his audience.

Jean Binta Breeze is a British dub poet and playwright who has been performing since the 1980s. She is known for her politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and soul music. Breeze's work often addresses issues of gender, race, and sexuality, using her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower her audience.

James Berry is a British dub poet and musician who has been performing since the 1980s. He is known for his politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and jazz music. Berry's work often addresses issues of racism, inequality, and social exclusion, using his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower his audience.

Benjamin Zephaniah is a British dub poet and musician who has been performing since the 1980s. He is known for his politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and soul music. Zephaniah's work often addresses issues of racism, inequality, and social exclusion, using his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower his audience.

Ahdri Zhina Mandiela is a South African-born dub poet and musician who has been performing since the 1990s. She is known for her politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and Afro-pop music. Mandiela's work often addresses issues of gender, race, and sexuality, using her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower her audience.

Lillian Allen is a British dub poet and playwright. She has been performing since the 1980s. She is known for her politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and soul music. Allen's work often addresses issues of gender, race, and sexuality, using her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower her audience.

Afua Cooper is a British dub poet and musician. She has been performing since the 1990s. She is known for her politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and Afro-pop music. Cooper's work often addresses issues of gender, race, and sexuality, using her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower her audience.

In conclusion, dub poetry is a vibrant and dynamic form of artistic expression that blends boldness, musicality, humor, and fury

The poets included in this collection are: Oku Onuora, Mikey Smith, Mutabaruka, Jean Binta Breeze, James Berry, Benjamin Zephaniah, Ahdri Zhina Mandiela, Lillian Allen and Afua Cooper.
Dub poetry is a vibrant and dynamic form of artistic expression that blends boldness, musicality, humor, and fury. It emerged as a powerful cultural and creative force, with its roots, in the reggae culture of 1970s Kingston, Jamaica. Dub poetry utilizes the vivid language of everyday spoken communication to depict and challenge the experiences of individuals living on the fringes of society.

In its early stages, dub poetry addressed issues such as police violence, slums, and poverty, reflecting the social and economic realities of the time. As Caribbean migrants arrived in countries like Britain and Canada, they faced new challenges, including racism, discrimination, and hostility. Dub poetry became a platform for marginalized voices to express their anger, defiance, and creativity, providing a soundtrack to the post-Windrush culture.

This collection brings together the work of nine innovative and brilliant poets who have defined and driven the dub poetry genre. These poets hail from various parts of the world, including the Caribbean, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Their poetry spans forty years, during which dub has evolved from a cultural movement to a powerful creative force.

Dub poetry is characterized by its use of rhythm, sound, and imagery to create a powerful and immersive experience. It often incorporates elements of reggae music, with its deep basslines and syncopated beats, to enhance the emotional impact of the words. The poets in this collection employ a range of poetic techniques, including rhyme, alliteration, and metaphor, to convey their messages and evoke strong emotions in the reader.

One of the defining features of dub poetry is its ability to blend humor and seriousness, creating a nuanced and complex portrayal of the human experience. The poets in this collection are skilled at using irony, sarcasm, and wit to challenge societal norms and power structures, while also offering moments of levity and humor to lighten the mood.

Another notable aspect of dub poetry is its ability to address social and political issues with a sense of urgency and immediacy. The poets in this collection use their words to raise awareness about the struggles of marginalized communities, advocating for change and social justice. They use their poetry as a tool for activism and empowerment, inspiring others to join the fight for a better world.

The poets included in this collection are:

Oku Onuora is a Nigerian-born poet and playwright who has been a leading figure in the dub poetry scene for over three decades. His work often explores themes of identity, culture, and social justice, using a combination of spoken word, music, and visual art to create powerful and immersive performances.

Mikey Smith is a British dub poet and musician who has been performing since the 1980s. He is known for his politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and hip-hop music. Smith's work often addresses issues of racism, inequality, and social exclusion, using his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower his audience.

Mutabaruka is a Jamaican-born poet and musician who has been a prominent figure in the dub poetry scene since the 1970s. He is known for his politically charged and socially conscious poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and dancehall music. Mutabaruka's work often addresses issues of colonialism, slavery, and social injustice, using his powerful voice and infectious energy to inspire and empower his audience.

Jean Binta Breeze is a British dub poet and playwright who has been performing since the 1980s. She is known for her politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and soul music. Breeze's work often addresses issues of gender, race, and sexuality, using her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower her audience.

James Berry is a British dub poet and musician who has been performing since the 1980s. He is known for his politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and jazz music. Berry's work often addresses issues of racism, inequality, and social exclusion, using his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower his audience.

Benjamin Zephaniah is a British dub poet and musician who has been performing since the 1980s. He is known for his politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and soul music. Zephaniah's work often addresses issues of racism, inequality, and social exclusion, using his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower his audience.

Ahdri Zhina Mandiela is a South African-born dub poet and musician who has been performing since the 1990s. She is known for her politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and Afro-pop music. Mandiela's work often addresses issues of gender, race, and sexuality, using her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower her audience.

Lillian Allen is a British dub poet. She has been performing since the 1980s. She is known for her politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and soul music. Allen's work often addresses issues of gender, race, and sexuality, using her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower her audience.

Afua Cooper is a British dub poet and musician. She has been performing since the 1990s. She is known for her politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and Afro-pop music. Cooper's work often addresses issues of gender, race, and sexuality, using her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower her audience.

In conclusion, dub poetry is a vibrant and dynamic form of artistic expression that blends boldness, musicality, humor, and fury. It emerged as a powerful cultural and creative force, with its roots, in the reggae culture of 1970s Kingston, Jamaica. Dub poetry utilizes the vivid language of everyday spoken communication to depict and challenge the experiences of individuals living on the fringes of society.

The poets included in this collection are: Oku Onuora, Mikey Smith, Mutabaruka, Jean Binta Breeze, James Berry, Benjamin Zephaniah, Ahdri Zhina Mandiela, Lillian Allen and Afua Cooper.
Dub poetry is a vibrant and dynamic form of artistic expression that blends boldness, musicality, humor, and fury. It emerged as a powerful cultural and creative force, with its roots, in the reggae culture of 1970s Kingston, Jamaica. Dub poetry utilizes the vivid language of everyday spoken communication to depict and challenge the experiences of individuals living on the fringes of society.

In its early stages, dub poetry addressed issues such as police violence, slums, and poverty, reflecting the social and economic realities of the time. As Caribbean migrants arrived in countries like Britain and Canada, they faced new challenges, including racism, discrimination, and hostility. Dub poetry became a platform for marginalized voices to express their anger, defiance, and creativity, providing a soundtrack to the post-Windrush culture.

This collection brings together the work of nine innovative and brilliant poets who have defined and driven the dub poetry genre. These poets hail from various parts of the world, including the Caribbean, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Their poetry spans forty years, during which dub has evolved from a cultural movement to a powerful creative force.

Dub poetry is characterized by its use of rhythm, sound, and imagery to create a powerful and immersive experience. It often incorporates elements of reggae music, with its deep basslines and syncopated beats, to enhance the emotional impact of the words. The poets in this collection employ a range of poetic techniques, including rhyme, alliteration, and metaphor, to convey their messages and evoke strong emotions in the reader.

One of the defining features of dub poetry is its ability to blend humor and seriousness, creating a nuanced and complex portrayal of the human experience. The poets in this collection are skilled at using irony, sarcasm, and wit to challenge societal norms and power structures, while also offering moments of levity and humor to lighten the mood.

Another notable aspect of dub poetry is its ability to address social and political issues with a sense of urgency and immediacy. The poets in this collection use their words to raise awareness about the struggles of marginalized communities, advocating for change and social justice. They use their poetry as a tool for activism and empowerment, inspiring others to join the fight for a better world.

The poets included in this collection are:

Oku Onuora is a Nigerian-born poet and playwright who has been a leading figure in the dub poetry scene for over three decades. His work often explores themes of identity, culture, and social justice, using a combination of spoken word, music, and visual art to create powerful and immersive performances.

Mikey Smith is a British dub poet and musician who has been performing since the 1980s. He is known for his politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and hip-hop music. Smith's work often addresses issues of racism, inequality, and social exclusion, using his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower his audience.

Mutabaruka is a Jamaican-born poet and musician who has been a prominent figure in the dub poetry scene since the 1970s. He is known for his politically charged and socially conscious poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and dancehall music. Mutabaruka's work often addresses issues of colonialism, slavery, and social injustice, using his powerful voice and infectious energy to inspire and empower his audience.

Jean Binta Breeze is a British dub poet and playwright who has been performing since the 1980s. She is known for her politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and soul music. Breeze's work often addresses issues of gender, race, and sexuality, using her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower her audience.

James Berry is a British dub poet and musician who has been performing since the 1980s. He is known for his politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and jazz music. Berry's work often addresses issues of racism, inequality, and social exclusion, using his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower his audience.

Benjamin Zephaniah is a British dub poet and musician who has been performing since the 1980s. He is known for his politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and soul music. Zephaniah's work often addresses issues of racism, inequality, and social exclusion, using his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower his audience.

Ahdri Zhina Mandiela is a South African-born dub poet and musician who has been performing since the 1990s. She is known for her politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and Afro-pop music. Mandiela's work often addresses issues of gender, race, and sexuality, using her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower her audience.

Lillian Allen is a British dub poet. She has been performing since the 1980s. She is known for her politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and soul music. Allen's work often addresses issues of gender, race, and sexuality, using her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower her audience.

Afua Cooper is a British dub poet and musician. She has been performing since the 1990s. She is known for her politically charged and socially aware poetry, which often incorporates elements of reggae and Afro-pop music. Cooper's work often addresses issues of gender, race, and sexuality, using her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence to inspire and empower her audience.

In conclusion, dub poetry is a vibrant and dynamic form of artistic expression that blends boldness, musicality, humor, and fury. It emerged as a powerful cultural and creative force, with its roots, in the reggae culture of 1970s Kingston, Jamaica. Dub poetry utilizes the vivid language of everyday spoken communication to depict and challenge the experiences of individuals living on the fringes of society.

The poets included in this collection are: Oku Onuora, Mikey Smith, Mutabaruka, Jean Binta Breeze, James Berry, Benjamin Zephaniah, Ahdri Zhina Mandiela, Lillian Allen and Afua Cooper.

Weight: 312g
Dimension: 138 x 208 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784878269