Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah, born 15 April 1958, is a renowned British writer and dub poet. Despite his unlikely background, Zephaniah has made a name for himself in the literary world, earning recognition from prominent institutions. His unique approach to poetry and activism has made him a prominent figure in the literary scene, and his works continue to inspire and engage readers across the globe.
Early life and education
Zephaniah was born and raised in the Handsworth district of Birmingham, England, which he referred to as the “Jamaican capital of Europe.” His parents were of Barbadian and Jamaican origin, with his father working as a postman and his mother as a nurse. Zephaniah dealt with dyslexia throughout his childhood, leaving school at the age of 13 without the ability to read or write properly.
Despite his educational struggles, Zephaniah’s passion for writing was ignited when he received an old manual typewriter as a child. This sparked his interest in writing and led him to become a well-known poet. His poetry was heavily influenced by the music and poetry of Jamaica, as well as the “street politics” of his community. Zephaniah’s first performance took place in a church when he was just 11 years old, and by 15, his poetry was already known among the Afro-Caribbean and Asian communities in Handsworth.
As a young man, Zephaniah found himself involved in petty crime and even served a prison sentence for burglary. However, he eventually grew tired of the limitations of being a black poet communicating primarily with black people and decided to expand his audience. At the age of 22, Zephaniah moved to London, where he would later experience the 1980s race riots and face racism on a regular basis.
Literary career and activism
Dub poetry and performance
Zephaniah’s work is often characterised as dub poetry, a form of oral performance poetry that is sometimes staged to music and typically draws on the rhythms of reggae and the rhetoric of Rastafarianism. This unique approach to poetry allowed him to bring his work to a broader audience, breaking down the barriers between academia and everyday people.
Themes and motivations
Many of Zephaniah’s poems are inspired by political causes, and he has stated that he “lives in two places, Britain and the world.” His collections cover a wide range of topics, from domestic issues such as institutional racism (Too Black, Too Strong, 2001) and the murder of Stephen Lawrence, to global issues like the plight of occupied Palestine (Rasta Time in Palestine, 1990) and environmental concerns (Talking Turkeys, 1994).
While Zephaniah is often associated with protest literature, his poems also showcase hope, humour, and laughter. He uses parody as one of his trademark devices, as seen in his collection Propa Proaganda (1996), where “Terrible World” plays on Louis Armstrong’s “Wonderful World” and begins with the words: “I’ve seen streets of blood …”.
Zephaniah believes that laughter plays an essential role in bringing different people together, and his focus on the human experience allows him to connect with a diverse range of individuals through his work.
Children’s literature and young adult novels
In addition to his poetry, Zephaniah has also written several successful novels for young people. His first book of poetry for children, Talking Turkeys (1994), was followed by other collections, such as Funky Chickens (1996). Zephaniah’s novels for teenagers include Face (1999), which explores themes of prejudice, identity, and acceptance, and Refugee Boy (2001), which tackles the issue of political asylum.
Residencies and collaborations
Zephaniah has held various residencies and collaborated with numerous organisations and individuals throughout his career. In 2011, he accepted a year-long position as poet-in-residence at Keats House in Hampstead, London. Additionally, he has worked with groups like Amnesty International to speak out against issues such as homophobia in Jamaica and the treatment of refugees.
Acting and television
Zephaniah has also made appearances in TV programs and films throughout his career. His acting credits include roles in The Bill (1994), The Comic Strip Presents… (1994), Crucial Tales (1996), and the BBC drama Peaky Blinders (2013-2022), where he played the role of preacher Jeremiah “Jimmy” Jesus.
Music career
In 1982, Zephaniah released the album Rasta, which featured the Wailers’ first recording since Bob Marley’s death and a tribute to political prisoner Nelson Mandela. The album gained international recognition and topped the Yugoslavian pop charts. Mandela himself would later request Zephaniah to host the president’s Two Nations Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1996.
Views and activism
Zephaniah is a passionate advocate for animal rights and veganism. He became a vegetarian at 11 and a vegan at 13. He is an honorary patron of The Vegan Society, Vegetarians’ International Voice for Animals (VIVA!), and EVOLVE! Campaigns.
Zephaniah has actively participated in anti-racism movements and used his experiences with racism to fuel his activism. He has worked with organisations like the Newham Monitoring Project and Tower Hamlets Summer University to address the impact of racial discrimination and police brutality on black communities.
Zephaniah is also known for his outspoken views on the British monarchy and the country’s political system. In 2003, he publicly rejected an offer to become an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, citing the association with slavery and imperialism as his reasons for doing so.
He expressed his views clearly, stating that the word ’empire’ reminded him of slavery, years of brutality, and the suffering of his ancestors. Zephaniah was critical of the government and the monarchy’s policies and principles, viewing the OBE as a legacy of colonialism. His decision to reject the OBE was also influenced by his stance against government policies at the time, particularly those related to privatisation, war, and criminal justice issues. Additionally, he criticised fellow artists who accepted such honours, suggesting that it compromised their artistic integrity and aligning this with the seduction of ‘the great house of Babylon known as the Palace.’
Zephaniah has supported causes such as the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.
Achievements and recognition
Zephaniah has received numerous accolades for his work, including the BBC Young Playwright’s Award and various honorary doctorates from universities such as the University of North London, the University of Central England, and the University of Birmingham. In 2008, he was included in The Times’ list of Britain’s top 50 post-war writers.
Personal life
Zephaniah has led a diverse and multicultural life, living in various locations such as East London, a village near Spalding in Lincolnshire, and Beijing, China. He is a keen language learner, having studied Mandarin Chinese for over a decade. Despite his Rastafarian upbringing, Zephaniah gave up smoking cannabis in his thirties and has continued to explore different aspects of spirituality and personal growth.
Benjamin Zephaniah’s career as a poet, activist, and artist has spanned numerous genres and tackled a wide range of issues. His unique approach to writing and his commitment to social justice has made him an influential figure in the literary world and beyond. Through his work, Zephaniah continues to inspire and engage readers, fostering a sense of unity and hope in the face of adversity.
Benjamin Zephaniah died on 7 December 2023 of a brain tumour.
