Mutabaruka

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AN AUDIENCE WITH MUTABARUKA ________________________________________________________________________________________

Sat 8 Sep, 7.30pm

What better way to open this season than with Jamaica’s most recognised and celebrated dub poet and reggae artist. An Audience with Mutabaruka comes to The Drum on Sat 8 Sep. Internationally renowned Jamaican born, actor, veteran Jamaica Radio host and activist Mutabaruka gave voice to a nation through his poetry and helped forge an entirely new genre of music, dub poetry. Revolutionary, fiery, scathing and stinging, his words are as potent on paper as they are performed live.

This spoken word event is one of a series of events by The Drum marking the Bi-Centenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act and the 60^th Anniversary of Independence/Partition of the Indian sub-continent entitled Routes To Freedom. Through Routes To Freedom, The Drum plans to explore the struggles of African, Asia and Caribbean people for social justice and equality. In doing so, we will remember the millions of people who suffered and died through enslavement, colonial domination and forced migration and pay tribute to those who campaigned for freedom.

Mutabaruka looks imposing and yet regal looking (formerly Allan Hope); he was born in Rae Town, Kingston on 26th December, 1952. He was the first well-publicized voice in the new wave of poets growing since the early 1970s from Jamaica. In 1981 Mutabaruka burst onto the Jamaican reggae scene with the release of his single ‘Every Time A Ear De Soun’ which proved to be a massive hit. He went on to work with Freddie McGregor, Rita Marley and Ini kamoze. Later he made an impact on our TV screens in the 90s with Channel 4’s Reggae Sunsplash series. When he opened his mouth, we were hooked. Who could forget the accusing lyrical chant of “it no good fe stay inna white man country too long…” A chilling reminder to many of us about our immigrant past and how we came to be in a land that was not home. Mutabaruka also starred as Shango in the widely acclaimed classic rebel slave film, SANKOFA directed by Haile Gerima. www.the-drum.org.uk. Age restriction: 16+ (TBC)

Muta’s poems are fully realised only in his striking live sessions, this is a rare opportunity to see Jamaica’s poet of protest. Tickets on sale now – £9, (£7) – Box Office: 0121 333 2444 or book online at

Ends

MEDIA CONTACT: Sati Parmar on 0121 333 2404 – s.parmar@the-drum.org.uk