Linton Kwesi John, is one of the internationally known Jamaican artists, whose music is expressed in a "dub poetry form" using the patois of the Jamaican dialect. His message, ideology and philosophy are similar to that of Mutabaruka.
The only difference is, as a dub poet, although rasta is important to him on that level as a cultural force that broadened and opened the consciousness to African heritage and African ancestry, he is not a rastafarian.

Born on Agust 24 1952, in Chapelton in Jamaica, he came to London at the age of 11, to live with his mother. Like most Jamaican artists, LKJ, hold on fast to his African culture. His middle name "Kwesi" broadly establishes his identity as some one holding on to the roots of his African origin. The name originates from the Western part of Africa. For example in Ghana, the Akans and the Fantis, named male babies born on Sundays, as "Kwesi" and females as "Esi" Because Sunday is called"Kwesidah"

In England, LKJ went to school at Tulse Hill secondary school, Goldsmith's College and the University of London. He joined the Black Panters, while at school. "That's where I learnt my politics and about my history and culture. That is where I discovered black literature, particularly the work of W.E.B Dubois, the Afro-American who inspired me to write poetry" Said LKJ.

In 1977, he was awarded C-Day Lewis fellowship, becoming the writer-in- residence work, as the Library Resources and Education officer at Keskidee centre, the first home of black theatre and art. As a poet his first collection of poetry "Voice of the living and dead" and "Dread beats an' Blood" were published by the Race Today Review, and the same year, a documentary film on "Dread beat an' blood" was made. In 1980, Race Today Review published his third book "Inglan is a Bitch".

"If Association of Chief Police Officers, has come out and admitted that, racism is institutionalised within the police force, that the black nurses within the health service for years have gotten a raw deal. When one thinks of all these things, Yeah! "Inglan is a Bitch" Said LKJ. As an artist LKJ, travelled extensively from Japan to new South Africa and from Europe to Brazil. His poetry songs are amongst the top reggae selling albums in the world and his works have been translated into Italian and German.

His LKJ live concert, recorded at the Queen Elisabeth Hall, in London 1985, was nominated for a Grammy Award. This year (2004) his own recording company were delighted to launch the first ever DVD of LKJ concert. He has been in the music business as a recording artist for twenty-five years.