Local promoters will be sponsoring a free reggae concert featuring two of Jamaica's most famous dub poets -- Mutabaruka and Yasus Afari -- in an effort to encourage young people to vote in the upcoming election.

Mutabaruka is a Rastafarian dub poet best known for tracks such as "People's Court'', "Dis Poem'' and "Any Which Way Freedom''.

He also played a rebel slave in Haile Gerima's film "Sankofa'' and hosts a radio show entitled "The Cutting Edge'' on Jamaica's IRIE-FM.

Yasus Afari, known as Jamaica's first dancehall dub poet, is known for songs such as "Honour'', "Teachings of Marcus'', "Patwah Talking'' and "I Can See Clearly'' with the late Garnett Silk.

The charismatic performer, whose motto is "With vision the people flourish'', won the Jamaican Music Award for best dub poet in 1994 shortly before teaming up with Black Uhuru for an international tour.

Glad Simmons of Dred and Baha Productions said the variety reggae show was the youth promoters' attempt to exercise their "civic duty'' by inspiring the large numbers of first-time voters to participate in the electoral process.

"We were inspired because of the apparent disinterest of a good size of the electorate traditionally not voting,'' said Mr. Simmons.

"It's not unusual for at least 20 percent of the electorate not go to the polls...Dred and Baha have participated in registry drives for the last couple of years. Music, being a universal, has become a main tool in assisting us to reach, communicate and bond with the youth of today.

"So when Pam called the election and we hear the ads encouraging the youth to come out and vote, we thought we would assist by following suit and appealing to them in a way they would enjoy.

"Muta and Yasus are what we call conscious individuals in the music industry -- they take history seriously and respect it.

"Because these are highly political times, we thought it would be good if these two artists would come in and share some inspiration,'' he added.

The concert, which will also feature local dub poet Ras Mykkal and artists Elephant Child and Jahstice, will start at 9 p.m. on Saturday at PHC stadium.

Although there is no charge for the concert, promoters welcome donations.

Dub poet Yasus Afari