Benjamin Zephaniah (1958-2023) was a writer and performer of extraordinary range: an oral poet, novelist, playwright, children’s writer, reggae artist, actor, television personality and political activist. Born and raised in Birmingham, he was sent to an approved school for being uncontrollable, rebellious and ‘a born failure’, ending up in jail for burglary and affray. After prison he turned from crime to music and poetry. He was later nominated for Oxford Professor of Poetry, and voted Britain’s third favourite poet of all time (after T.S. Eliot and John Donne) in a BBC poll.
Benjamin was a poet who wouldn't stay silent, who didn't pull any punches, who wrote out of a sense of urgency and a commitment to social justice. Known for his performance poetry with a political edge for adults as well as his poetry with attitude for children, he had his own rap/reggae band. He was the first person to record with the Wailers after the death of Bob Marley, in a musical tribute to Nelson Mandela, which Mandela heard while in prison on Robben Island.
Dis Poetry brings together all the poems from Benjamin’s three Bloodaxe collections, City Psalms (1992), Propa Propaganda (1996) and Too Black, Too Strong (2001), as well as some from The Dread Affair (1985), along with previously unpublished work and lyrics from various recordings.
The book includes a QR code giving access to Pamela Robertson-Pearce's feature film To Do Wid Me originally released as a DVD-book in 2015 – enabling you to see and hear Benjamin performing in full over 20 of the poems in Dis Poetry on your phone while reading the book. The eight-minute trailer below includes snippets from the 103-minute film.
‘He’ll be remembered as a poet of justice, of peace, of people power – as someone who was profoundly principled and lovable and full of soulful integrity. For me, Benjamin has been a sounding board, a model, a shrine, a cultural touchpoint throughout my entire life. If I had a poetry father, it really was him.’ – Raymond Antrobus, The Observer
‘He's left us with his charm, his poetry, his revolutionary ways, his caring for people, his inclusiveness.’ – Joan Armatrading on BBC Two’s Newsnight
‘The man was a force, an energy, a blast… Benjamin took everything life threw at him and turned it into poetry… His poems encourage us to never give up, to keep the flame of hope burning.’ – Jackie Kay, The i paper
Benjamin Zephaniah: To Do Wid Me (trailer)
Eight-minute trailer for Pamela Robertson-Pearce's feature-length film Benjamin Zephaniah: To Do Wid Me, the whole of which you can access using the QR code included in Dis Poetry. This includes Benjamin performing over 20 of the poems in Dis Poetry in full as well as interviews and footage showing many sides of Benjamin the life-loving man.
Dis Poetry
Benjamin Zephaniah performs 'Dis Poetry' at Newcastle's Live Theatre in 2009: a clip from Benjamin Zephaniah: To Do Wid Me
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