Oku Onuora

About Oku Onuora

“Even more compelling however is PRESSURE DROP by Oku & AK7 (Heartbeat). Oku Onuora growls
& moans such poem-song as Change Yes Change & Decolonisation over atmospheric backdrop with
sirens, jazzy saxophone, flute & echoing voices woven through unhurried reggae vamps….” NEW
YORK TIMES. By JON PARELES, NOV 25, 1984.
“Unanimously and rightfully acclaimed by peers to be the most disturbing performer of his genre.
Onuora is the most original dub bard…. “ SOUNDS MAGAZINE.

If reggae is a rhythm set to a poor man’s cry, then its most esoteric form – Dub Poetry – is that pain
made lyrical. Dub poetry is more than just words and music, the melding together of the oral
tradition of the African griot with the British love of dramatic recitation. Among the several Dub
Poets performing today, Oku “Fire” Onuora is the most charismatic and passionate articulator of the
“sufferah’s” grief and outrage.

Hailed by his colleagues as “original” and acknowledged by listeners and critics as the original Dub
Poet, he is accredited with being the first to use the phrase DUB POETRY to describe his poetry and
presentation & recording Dub Poetry in Jamaica – REFLECTION IN RED, Tuff Gong, 56 Hope Road
label, 1979. There are countless international articles that have been written listing his impressive
and extensive credentials including, his seven years served in the Jamaican penitentiary system.
While behind bars, Oku focused his rebellious energy in a positive direction by writing
CONFRONTATION, an award winning play aired by the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) and
ECHO a bestseller collection of poems, published by SANGSTERS BOOKS in 1977.

Oku has performed all over the world and has achieved notable success in Jamaica, the US and
Europe. With a compelling history, a voice rich with his homeland language and a passion few
performers aspire to, he has disturbed and exalted audience with his word bullets.

After taking an hiatus for over a decade from recording/performing, doing interviews, Oku has been
rising occasionally, releasing word bullets, words of wisdom & love with a sense of purpose & an aim
in view with his appearance on a number of events since his re-emergency – Reggae Month Concert
(2011/12), Kingston Pon Di River (2013), Seh Sum’m Cote Edition, Redbone’s Blues Cafe (2013). The
release of A MOVEMENT (2013), primaire of the documentary FYAH; DUBBING AWAY (2014).

2015, YESTERDAY/TODAY/TOMORROW was released on vinyl, 45 rpm, on the USA based label
AKASHIC RECORDS. It was made available digitally accompanied by a video in 2016.
In 2017 Oku got a link from Thomas Lautenbacher, AKA “Doctor T”, a musician-osteopath based in
Switzerland, that immediately created a bond which ignited a creative firestorm. The result, I’VE
SEEN. With Doctor T and The 18th Parallel providing the musical concoction and Oku the poetic
infusion, a megaton of an album was fashioned. As usual, in his indelible fashion, Oku Onuora is
blazing trails, stirring thoughts and quaking hearts on this collaboration with with Doctor And The
18th Parallel. Recording of the album was completed mid 2018. The album is Produced by Dr. T and
FRUITS RECORDS.

2018 saw the reissue of the classic compilation I A TELL; DUBWIZE & OTHERWISE and I A TELL, the
compilation of Oku’s two volumes of poetry; the critically acclaimed ECHO, and FUEL FOR FIRE. The
first single from the upcoming album I’VE SEEN, FUEL FOR FIRE, was release May 18, 2018.
Oku is on the move, all geared up to dub away in his usual indelible fashion, to blaze trails with
releases & unveiling of new projects.
I’VE SEEN is being loaded for release in February 2019. Watch out for the fallout from the megaton
album I’VE SEEN.

Review of “PRESSURE DROP” – New York Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/25/arts/with-its-crooners-and-toasters-reggae-isthriving.
html

The Documentary trailer:
https://youtu.be/qJFAMFdaVCg

Music Video “BUS OUT”:
https://youtu.be/8E7VSIXUc2g

Music Video “YESTERDAY, TODAY,TOMORROW” :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehu7GJZk3vk&feature=youtu.be

Jamaica Gleaner Article:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130522/ent/ent6.html

PROFILE TVJ (clip):
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnFW3gWHTb_/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1qozvvsplxjkn