Jamaican music stars born in 1952
Here are 7 famous musicians from Jamaica were born in 1952:
Oku Onuora
Oku Onuora (March 1, 1952 Kingston-) also known as Orlando Wong is a Jamaican writer.
He is best known for his contributions to the development of dub poetry, a form of performance poetry that originated in Jamaica in the 1970s. Onuora's work often focuses on issues of social justice and political resistance, highlighting the experiences of marginalized communities.
In addition to his poetry, Onuora has also been active in political activism and community organizing. He was a member of the Jamaican Socialist Party and was involved in protests against political corruption and economic inequality in the 1970s.
Onuora's literary career has spanned several decades, during which he has published numerous collections of poetry and writings on cultural and political issues. He has also collaborated with musicians and artists, including the Jamaican dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, who produced Onuora's album "Dubbin' Away" in 1984.
Onuora's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's Silver Musgrave Medal in 1998. Today, he continues to be an influential voice in the Jamaican literary community, both as a writer and an advocate for social justice.
Onuora began his literary career in the 1970s, publishing his first collection of poems titled "Echo" in 1975. He went on to publish several more poetry collections, including "Reflection in Red" (1979), "Move" (1980), and "It A Come" (1983). His writing often combines elements of Jamaican patois, reggae music, and Rastafarian philosophy to create a unique and powerful form of poetry.
Throughout his career, Onuora has been involved in various political and social movements in Jamaica. In the 1970s, he was a key figure in the Workers' Liberation League, a socialist organization that advocated for workers' rights and political reform. He also played a prominent role in the Jamaican reggae community, collaborating with musicians like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.
In addition to his literary and political work, Onuora has also been active in community organizing and education. He has worked with organizations like the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission to promote literacy and artistic expression in marginalized communities.
Today, Onuora is considered one of the pioneers of dub poetry, and his work continues to be widely read and studied around the world. He is a powerful voice for social justice and political resistance, and his writing has inspired countless others to speak out against injustice and oppression.
Onuora's commitment to social and political activism has often landed him in trouble with authorities. In 1976, he was arrested and charged with sedition for his involvement in anti-government protests, and spent several months in jail before being released. His imprisonment served as a catalyst for his writing, inspiring him to use his poetry as a tool for political resistance and social change.
Despite the challenges he faced, Onuora continued to use his platform as a writer and performer to raise awareness about important social issues. He traveled extensively throughout Jamaica, performing his poetry at rallies, protests, and community events. He also published articles and essays on topics such as human rights, cultural identity, and environmental activism.
Onuora's influence on the development of dub poetry is immeasurable. His powerful performances, infused with a deep sense of social and political consciousness, paved the way for future generations of dub poets. Many of today's most celebrated dub poets cite Onuora as a major influence, and his work continues to inspire artists and activists around the world.
In recent years, Onuora has continued to write and perform, and his work has been celebrated with numerous awards and honors. In 2016, he was awarded the Institute of Jamaica's Gold Musgrave Medal, in recognition of his contributions to Jamaican literature and culture. Today, Onuora remains a prominent figure in Jamaica's literary and cultural landscape, and his legacy as a writer, activist, and pioneer of dub poetry continues to inspire and empower generations of artists and activists.
Onuora's impact on the literary and cultural landscape of Jamaica is hard to understate. His poetry, heavily influenced by the rhythms and sounds of reggae music, has been praised for its use of language to convey complex ideas and emotions. Onuora's work often explores themes of cultural identity, social inequality, and the struggle for human rights. He has been recognized for his contributions to the development of dub poetry, a genre of performance poetry that has become an important part of Jamaica's cultural heritage.
In addition to his writing and activism, Onuora has also been involved in education, teaching creative writing and poetry workshops in schools and community centers. He has worked with organizations like the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission to promote literacy and artistic expression in marginalized communities.
Onuora's contribution to the literary canon of Jamaica has earned him widespread recognition and numerous awards. In addition to the Musgrave Medals, he has received the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in the field of Literature and the Caribbean American Heritage Award for Literature. Today, he continues to inspire and empower generations of artists and activists in Jamaica and around the world.
Onuora's impact on the literary and musical landscape of Jamaica has been recognized by scholars and artists alike. He is credited with being one of the pioneers of dub poetry, which has since become an important part of Jamaican music and culture. Onuora's collaborations with musicians like Linton Kwesi Johnson and his work with the Jamaican dance company, Movement of the People, have helped to foster deeper connections between poetry and music in Jamaica.
In addition to his work as a writer and performer, Onuora has also been active in community development and environmental activism. He has been involved in programs to promote sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism in Jamaica, and has worked with organizations to improve access to clean water and sanitation in rural communities.
Onuora's life and work offer a powerful testament to the role that art can play in inspiring social and political change. His commitment to using poetry as a tool for social justice and his advocacy for marginalized communities have made him an enduring figure in the history of Jamaican literature and culture.
Throughout his career, Onuora has also been involved in numerous international collaborations and performances, bringing his powerful voice to audiences around the world. He has performed at festivals and events in Europe, Africa, and the Americas, connecting with audiences through the universal language of poetry.
In recent years, Onuora has continued to push boundaries with his work, exploring new forms of artistic expression and experimenting with multimedia projects. He has collaborated with filmmakers, visual artists, and musicians to create innovative works that blend poetry, music, and imagery.
Today, Onuora remains an influential force in the Jamaican literary community and a powerful advocate for social justice and human rights. His work continues to inspire and empower generations of artists and activists, both in Jamaica and around the world, and his legacy as a poet, activist, and pioneer of dub poetry remains firmly entrenched in the cultural history of Jamaica.
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Mutabaruka
Mutabaruka (December 26, 1952 Kingston-) also known as Allan Hope is a Jamaican , .
His most important albums: Dis Poem '99, The Ultimate Collection, The Mystery Unfolds, Outcry, Melanin Man, Life Squared, Check It!, Blakk Wi Blak...K...K..., Any Which Way... Freedom and Hard Times / Love Theme in Dub.
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Don Carlos
Don Carlos (June 29, 1952 Kingston-) also known as Carlos, Don or Don McCarlos is a Jamaican , .
His albums: Day to Day Living, Harvest Time, Time Is the Master, Plantation, 7 Days a Week, Dub Version, RAS Portraits, Deeply Concerned, Just a Passing Glance and Lazer Beam. Genres he performed: Reggae.
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Liz Mitchell
Liz Mitchell (July 12, 1952 Clarendon Parish-) also known as Liz Mitchel, Mitchell, Liz or Elizabeth Rebecca Mitchell is a Jamaican singer.
Her albums: Liz Mitchell. Genres: Dance-pop, Soul music and Dance music.
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Lorna Bennett
Lorna Bennett (June 7, 1952 Jamaica-) is a Jamaican , .
Her most well known albums: This Is Lorna Bennett. Genres she performed: Reggae.
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Sly Dunbar
Sly Dunbar (May 10, 1952 Kingston-) also known as Lowell Fillmore Dunbar or Lowell \"Sly\" Dunbar is a Jamaican musician and drummer.
His most well known albums: Sly, Wicked and Slick and Black Ash Dub. Genres he performed: Reggae.
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Carl Malcolm
Carl Malcolm (July 1, 1952 Black River-) otherwise known as Malcolm, Carl is a Jamaican singer.
Genres he performed: Reggae, Ska and Rocksteady.
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