This event will take place in the British Library Knowledge Centre Pigott Theatre and simultaneously live streamed on the British Library platform. Tickets may be booked either to attend in person or to watch online either live or within 48 hours on catch up. Viewing links for the online version will be sent out shortly before the event. 

Over the last fifty years, the UK has contributed significantly to expanding the genre of reggae. Join three of the UK’s foremost reggae revolutionaries – and long-term collaborators - in conversation for one night only.

Linton Kwesi Johnson, who created reggae poetry is joined by musicians/producers Dennis Bovell and John Kpiaye, pioneers of the very British sound of ‘lovers’ rock’. These artists have also performed together over forty decades, taking LKJ’s words and music to global audiences, with many a tale to tell about their experiences along the way.

An unforgettable evening of words and music, chaired by scholar and music historian Paul Gilroy. 

Explore the full events programme for the British Library exhibition Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music (26 April – 26 August). 

Born in Barbados in 1953, Dennis Bovell is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, sound-engineer, composer, bandleader and producer. He came to London when he was twelve and has been in bands since his schooldays. He formed Matumbi in 1970, whose songs include the top ten hit Point of View, and produced Janet Kay's huge single, Silly Games. He has worked with artists as diverse as I Roy, Steel Pulse, Bananarama, Fela Kuti and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Dennis continues to release his own music.  

Paul Gilroy teaches at University College London (UCL). He has published several books and has been writing about black music for more than fifty years.  

Linton Kwesi Johnson was born in Jamaica and came to London in 1963. His first poetry collection was published in 1974. In 2002, he became only the second living poet and the first black poet to have his work included in Penguin’s Modern Classics (now published as Selected Poems). Johnson’s first album, Dread Beat An Blood, was released in 1978; fourteen more have followed. In 2023 Time Come: Selected Prose was published. LKJ is a Trustee of the George Padmore Institute and 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning.

Of English-Nigerian heritage, John Kpiaye was born in 1948 in London. In 1968, his group The Cats was the first British reggae group to have a top fifty entry in the singles chart. He has written, produced and played on numerous reggae hits and worked with artists including Georgie Fame, Aswad and Eddie Grant. Since 1982, he has been resident guitarist with the Dennis Bovell Dub Band. His solo album Red, Gold and Blues went to number two on Jazz FM’s charts. 

Doors and Bar open at 18:00. Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event.  

Half price tickets available for Members, Students, Under 26 and other concession groups. 

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