
Acting
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Born
1952-08-24 (74)
Place of birth
Clarendon, Jamaica, British West Indies [now Jamaica]
Known for
Acting
Credits
14 titles
Linton Kwesi Johnson OD (born 24 August 1952), also known as LKJ, is a Jamaica-born, British-based dub poet and activist. In 2002, he became the second living poet, and the only black one, to be published in the Penguin Modern Classics series. His performance poetry involves the recitation of his own verse in Jamaican patois over dub-reggae, usually written in collaboration with reggae producer/artist Dennis Bovell.
Known for
Full House was a live entertainment for Saturday, presenting a mixture of music, plays, poetry, prose, comedy, films, the visual arts - and a few surprises.
Full House
1972
6.0In World War II London, nine-year-old George is evacuated to the countryside by his mother, Rita, to escape the bombings. Defiant and determined to return to his family, George embarks on an epic, perilous journey back home as Rita searches for him.
Blitz
2024
NRWindrush is a 4-part series of one hour television documentaries originally broadcast on BBC2 in 1998 to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival in Britain of the Empire Windrush, the ship which brought the first wave of post-war West Indian immigrants.
Windrush
1998
NRCompanion programme to Gregory Porter's Popular Voices (2017) in which Gregory Porter introduces a selection of live performances culled from the BBC archives.
Popular Voices at the BBC
2017
8.5Follows dub poet master Linton Kwesi Johnson out of the recording studio onto the Brixton streets.
Dread Beat and Blood
1979
10.0A two part documentary that details the contribution of black and Asian people to television history from the birth of television in 1936 to 1992. Interviewees include: Pearl Connor, Thomas Baptiste, Lenny Henry, Norman Beaton, Horace Ové, Carmen Munroe, and Stuart Hall.
Black and White in Colour
1992
Film credits
2020s · 2 titles
6.0In World War II London, nine-year-old George is evacuated to the countryside by his mother, Rita, to escape the bombings. Defiant and determined to return to his family, George embarks on an epic, perilous journey back home as Rita searches for him.
Blitz
2024
2.0The programme includes The Damned’s set-smashing performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test and the Sex Pistols' anarchic trip on the Thames. It also features powerful live performances from Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Gang of Four, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Tubeway Army, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Soft Cell, The Selecter, Joy Division and the Au Pairs. In addition, there are gems from The New York Dolls, The Fall, Blondie, Pete Shelley, The Police, Devo, X-Ray Spex, Klaus Nomi, Laurie Anderson and many more.
Punk and New Wave Years with Annie Nightingale
2020
2000s · 3 titles
NRGil Scott-Heron was one of the most influential musicians and poets of the last 50 years. In Don Letts's documentary, Gil tells his own story for the first time-from being one of the first black children to integrate an all white Southern state school to becoming the Godfather of Rap. There are contributions from Chuck D, Mos Def, Richi Havens and the Last Poets, among others. Filmed in October 2003, Gil performs live and recites poetry out on the streets of Harlem, which have inspired so much of his music.
Gil Scott-Heron: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
2003
NRDocumentary about feminism in music and the challenges it has faced through the years from the '70s to present day.
Hitmusik: Konsten att sätta rytm till revolt
2006
NRIn his first-ever video concert, reggae poet Linton Kwesi Johnson bares his soul to a packed house at the Zenith in Paris in 2004, backed by the Dennis Bovell Dub Band. Tracks include "Di Eagle an Di Beat," "Want Fi Goh Rave," "Sonn'y Lettah," "Dread Beat an Blood," "Fite Dem Back," "Reggae Fi Peach," "Di Great Insohreckshan," "Mekkin Histri" and "Tings an Times." Extras feature Johnson sharing some of his a cappella poetry.
Linton Kwesi Johnson: Live in Paris
2004
1980s · 2 titles
NRConsidered one of the best ‘dub’ poets of his time, Mikey Smith is internationally renown for the socially engaged form and content of his work. Originally made for BBC2’s Arena, Upon Westminster Bridge profiles Smith’s poetry and politics through performance, exchanges with fellow poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, and conversations with historian and social theorist CLR James.
Upon Westminster Bridge
1982
NRA portrait of Salford-born poet, storyteller and comic, John Cooper-Clarke. His poems, a satirical blend of humour and social comment, are delivered at a fast pace, often with musical backing. His style, and that of his contemporary Linton Kwesi Johnson, have influenced a generation of younger poets involved in a revival of popular poetry in Britain.
Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt
1984
1970s · 1 titles
Series credits
Full House was a live entertainment for Saturday, presenting a mixture of music, plays, poetry, prose, comedy, films, the visual arts - and a few surprises.
Full House
1972
NRWindrush is a 4-part series of one hour television documentaries originally broadcast on BBC2 in 1998 to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival in Britain of the Empire Windrush, the ship which brought the first wave of post-war West Indian immigrants.
Windrush
1998
NRCompanion programme to Gregory Porter's Popular Voices (2017) in which Gregory Porter introduces a selection of live performances culled from the BBC archives.
Popular Voices at the BBC
2017

