Mutabaruka

Along with Linton Kwesi Johnson, Mutabaruka (born Allan Hope) is one of reggae's foremost "dub poets." In a musical framework of roots reggae and dub, he spins poetic narratives full of strong socio-political messages. His landmark 1982 debut album, CHECK IT, full of angry, outspoken material, made an enormous impact on the reggae world. Mutabaruka's declamatory style is so arresting that even completely non-political "toasters" and dance-hall rappers owe much of their approach to his influential work.