Mutabaruka

Born Allan Hope in Rae Town, Kingston, Muta has been a well known and highly respected poet since the 1970's. As a proclaimed Rastafarian he endured a phase of loneliness during the 60's and 70's due to his new faith. Muta is a religious philosopher who believes that there are multiple paths to God but has a aversion to institutionalized religious forms. According to his web page, he became the first highly recognized voice in the emerging wave of poets in the 1970's. He was able to touch the minds and hearts of a vast number of people, to an extent that has only been experienced by the great Louise Bennet. Muta has been an influence to developing reggae artists and has been labeled as a "protest poet," a title he rejects. He performs his own poetry because he feels as though no one can truly present his words the way that he can. I first came across his works months ago when a friend of mine told me about him. This first piece of his that I encountered, entitled Nursery Rhyme Lament was incredible to me because it was so thoughtful, funny, and easy to relate to.  Throughout his works, Muta touches on the realities of hardships that he and many of his fellow countrymen face; hardships that reach far beyond the boarders of Jamaica, resonating with individuals around the globe.

Jamrock

Son of prominent reggae artist and political activist Bob Marley, Damian Marley coined the term Jamrock in his song "Welcome to Jamrock". The 'rock' envelopes major societal hardships that the island faces. Poverty, corrupt political officials, high crime rates; overall, a substandard way of living according to Western ideologies. All of the above characteristics where prominent themes in the 2002 film Shottas starring another of Marley's sons, Ky-Mani Marley. The film is based primarily in Kingston, Jamaica and Miami, Florida. After spending time in prison, Biggs is reunited with his lifetime friend Wayne and continue their life of crime in Jamaica and later in Miami, determined to reclaim the money and fame that they once knew. The film depicts the Jamrock that Damian sang about, and the Jamaica that is best known by it's residents.