The legendary writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah has passed away at the age of 65. He died on 7th December 2023 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor eight weeks prior.Â
Zephaniah was born on April 15, 1958, and raised in Handsworth, Birmingham. He was a twin and the first of eight children. His Barbados father was a postman, and his Jamaican mother was a nurse. When his mother left his abusive father, he was the only child who stayed with her.
The poet who is dubbed the “titan of British literature” had dyslexia and had to leave school at the age of 13, as he was unable to read or write. Eventually, Zephaniah became involved in criminal activities and was imprisoned for burglary. However, his life changed through encounters with a prison guard who encouraged him to perform.
In 1980, at the age of 22, he moved to London and published his first book, Pen Rhythm.
In 1982, Zephaniah released an album called “Rasta,” featuring the Wailers’ first recording since Bob Marley’s death and a tribute to Nelson Mandela.
In 1990, he got married to Amina, a theatre administrator, however, due to his infertility, they couldn’t bear children and were unable to adopt due to his past criminal record. They divorced in 2001.
He eventually wrote novels and poetry for children, with his 1994 children’s book “Talking Turkeys” being a notable success.
Zephaniah emerged as a well-known figure on television, credited with bringing dub poetry, a Jamaican style that influenced the music genre, into British living rooms.
He also worked as an actor, appearing in the BBC drama series Peaky Blinders from 2013 to 2022.
Notably, he rejected an OBE in 2003 due to its association with the British Empire and its history of slavery, citing his lifelong fight against empire, slavery, and colonialism. Zephaniah also spoke out on racial abuse and education.
Various figures, including Peaky Blinders actor Cillian Murphy, the Black Writers’ Guild, Michael Rosen, Adjoa Andoh, Trevor Nelson, Billy Bragg, Sir Lenny Henry, and others paid tribute to Zephaniah. Aston Villa football club, supported by Zephaniah, also expressed deep sadness.
His autobiography, “The Life And Rhymes Of Benjamin Zephaniah,” was nominated for Autobiography of the Year at the National Book Awards and shortlisted for the Costa Book Award in 2018. During the Hay Festival held during the COVID-19 lockdown, he recited one of his poems.
