Remembering the Life and Legacy of Benjamin Zephaniah

Remembering the Life and Legacy of Benjamin Zephaniah:

“Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah, poet and author, born 15 April 1958; died 7 December 2023”

Benjamin Zephaniah, who passed away at 65 due to a brain tumor, captivated audiences across the UK with his raw and rebellious poetry, transcending societal divides to become a cherished figure, revered by people of all ages and backgrounds, earning the status of a national icon.

Driven by a grounded purpose of bringing poetry to unconventional spaces, Benjamin Zephaniah extended his influence globally, earning respect as a writer and performer unafraid to express his thoughts candidly, infused with sincerity, humility, and a touch of self-deprecating humor.

Emerging from a challenging beginning in Birmingham, Zephaniah propelled himself into the limelight in the early 1980s, aligning with a cohort of street-smart performance poets like John Cooper Clarke, Attila the Stockbroker, and, from a distance, Linton Kwesi Johnson. They collectively rejected abstraction, instead crafting poetry with a sharp political resonance that delved into the fabric of everyday existence.

Initially highlighting the corrosive impact of racism, notably through his pivotal poem “Dis Policeman Keeps on Kicking Me to Death,” Zephaniah expanded his repertoire to encompass subjects dear to him, such as unemployment, homelessness, and, as a committed vegan since the age of 13, the advocacy of animal rights.

Beyond crafting novels for adults, Benjamin Zephaniah adeptly channeled his gift for accessible language into becoming a bestselling author for teenagers. Works like “Talking Turkeys” (1994) and “Windrush Child” (2020) resonated deeply, becoming staples in multicultural Britain’s educational curriculum.

Zephaniah, originally Benjamin Springer, was born in Birmingham’s Hockley area to Oswald Springer, a post office worker, and Leneve (nee Wright), a nurse who immigrated to Britain from Barbados and Jamaica. Growing up with a twin sister, Velda, and six other siblings, he confronted racism almost daily during his childhood. At home, his father, a distant and abusive figure, particularly towards his mother, caused distress. At the age of 10, after a severe beating inflicted on Leneve, she and Benjamin fled, seeking refuge together.

Living hand-to-mouth, Benjamin and his mother never returned, resulting in estrangement from the rest of the family. The upheaval took its toll on Zephaniah: at 13, he faced expulsion from Broadway School. Subsequently, he spent time in Borstal, and during his late teens, he was incarcerated for multiple offenses, including affray and burglary.

Poetry, Rastafarianism, and an unyielding determination became his lifeline. Recognizing the looming prospect of extended jail time or a premature death due to gang-related conflicts, at 22, he made the pivotal decision to depart Birmingham and pursue a life as a poet in London.

As a young child, he discovered his knack for composing poetry during walks to the corner shop. Despite being dyslexic, he inherited a remarkable lyrical talent from his mother. By the age of 15, he had already established himself as a gifted wordsmith. When the elders at his mother’s church acknowledged his prophetic way with words, they bestowed upon him the name Zephaniah, meaning “treasured by God,” a name that stuck.

Upon arriving in London, he immersed himself in the punk, reggae, and alternative comedy scenes, often reciting his poems during breaks at gigs. His debut collection, “Pen Rhythm,” was published in 1980 through a cooperative effort. Inspired by Johnson, he transitioned to dub poetry, blending reggae music with his verse, culminating in his first album, “Rasta,” released in 1982.

Zephaniah quickly gained recognition for his talent, becoming sought after for radio, TV, and film roles. His portrayal of Moses in the film “Farendj” in 1990 showcased his acting abilities, followed by the BBC screening of his TV play, “Dread Poets Society,” the following year. His literary endeavors expanded as well, with his debut novel, “Face,” published in 1999. Preceding this, he maintained a consistent output of poetry collections, including “The Dread Affair” (1985), “Inna Liverpool” (1988), “City Psalms” (1992), and “Propa Propaganda” (1996).

In an extensive career, alongside his 14 poetry books and seven dub poetry albums, Benjamin Zephaniah ventured into further literary realms with additional novels and children’s books, along with creating seven plays. Notably, he took on prominent acting roles like the street preacher Jeremiah Jesus in the TV drama series “Peaky Blinders.”

Transitioning to a quieter life in Lincolnshire from London in his later years, he remained tirelessly involved in numerous projects. While dedicated to broadening access and challenging elitism, Zephaniah also found alignment with academia. In 2011, he embraced the role of professor of poetry and creative writing at Brunel University. He became a familiar, amiable presence in the staffroom, known for his dedication and hard work as a lecturer.

In recent times, he allocated three months annually to China, dedicating time to tai chi practice. Despite his inherently peaceful demeanor, he retained an underlying anger infused with a punk ethos. Zephaniah identified strongly with anarchism, acknowledging that he often felt aligned with its principles. He expressed surprise at the populace’s tolerance towards governmental oppression, noting, “When I see what people have to put up with from their governments, I’m surprised they don’t rise up more often.”

Remaining steadfastly radical, he declined an OBE offer in 2003. Fifteen years later, he dismissed any notion of becoming the poet laureate following Carol Ann Duffy, stating poetically: “Don’t take my word, go check the verse / Cause every laureate gets worse.”

His marriage to Amina, a theatre administrator in 1990, concluded in divorce in 2001.