Rastafari Anthem: Unearthing the Roots of Dub Poetry

For my conference paper I will be exploring and researching the origins, founders and impact of dub poetry. Dub poetry is the performing of poems spoken or sung over reggae beats and rhythms. Oku Onuora is credited with being the founder of dub poetry during the 1970’s in Jamaica. More well known artists, such as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, can also be credited as being “dub poets.” Dub poetry most commonly spreads messages of love, hope, the oppressions of racism and slavery, politics and social justice with heavy roots in Rastafarian teachings.

Questions:

What inspired the creation of dub poetry?

How is dub poetry received by the public?

How did dub poetry spread into North America and Europe?

What separates dub poetry from traditional reggae?

What messages can be derived from dub poetry?

How has dub poetry influenced modern songwriters/poets of the Rastafari Movement?

-Andrew