Benjamin Zephaniah
Children's Author
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Biography
Dr Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah was born and raised in Handsworth, Birmingham. At that time he called it the Jamaican capital of Europe due to the large Jamaican community there. His first real public performance was at 11 years old and by the age of 15 he had attracted a strong following in Handsworth and had gained a reputation as a young poet who was capable of speaking on local and international issues. His poetry was strongly influenced by the music and poetry of Jamaica and what he called ‘street politics’.
At 22, he headed south to London where his first book Pen Rhythm was published. The book sold well, but it was in performance that the Dub (Reggae) Poet would cause such a revolution. It was once said of him that he was the most filmed, most photographed, and most identifiable poet in Britain. His live performances on stage and, most of all, on television bought Dub Poetry straight into British living rooms. He then began to take his poetry worldwide and over a 22 day period in 1991 he performed on every continent on the planet!
He was also a musician and was the first person to record with the Wailers after the death of Bob Marley. His last album, Naked, defies categorisation; it was produced by legendary drummer Trevor Morais and adorned with the art work of graffiti artist Banksy in a 36 page booklet which accompanies the CD. In 1996 he hosted the “President’s Two Nations Concerts” for Nelson Mandela at the Royal Albert Hall in London, at the request of Nelson Mandela.
Benjamin’s first book of children’s poetry called Talking Turkeys went to the top of the children’s book list straight after its publication. Young writers have said that the accessibility of his work inspired many of them to take up writing and he has inspired a new generation of rappers and many of the performance poets that emerged in the late seventies/early eighties. And now his novels for teenagers have proved as influential as his poetry.
As well as writing poetry, novels, screenplays, and stage plays, he has also written and presented documentaries for television and radio. He has been awarded 18 honorary doctorates in recognition of his work and a wing at The Ealing Hospital in West London has been named after him. Benjamin passed away in December 2023 and is sadly missed by all who loved his work.
What Stephen Lawrence Has Taught Us (2026)
A ground-breaking poem on the legacy of Stephen Lawrence from national treasure Benjamin Zephaniah.
“The death of Stephen Lawrence
Has taught us to love each other…”
With extra information provided alongside Benjamin’s powerful words and Joelle Avelino’s striking illustration, this book is an indispensable tool for helping children aged 9+ to understand identity, diversity, justice, respect and racism.
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Selected Publications
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.
Follow a little boy’s friendship and journey with one tree, in this powerful and beautiful love letter to nature.
From master wordsmith, Benjamin Zephaniah, comes a breathtaking new poem and story showing how trees offer us the perspective and connection to nature we crave in our daily lives. The final scene is an honest representation of the devastating effects of deforestation and urban development, encouraging all of us, everywhere, to ‘leave the trees, please’.
With resplendent illustrations from bestselling Melissa Castrillon, this book is both magnificent and timely.
Winner of The Queen’s Knickers Award 2024
To walk to
To talk to
To cry and rely on,
People will always need people . . .
From the creators of Nature Trail comes an uplifting picture book about the power of people, and the importance of connecting with others. This timely poem reminds us all to be kind to one another.
Written by legendary poet, Benjamin Zephaniah, one of The Times’ top 50 British post-war writers. Beautifully illustrated by Nila Aye.
Benjamin Zephaniah, who travelled the world for his art and his humanitarianism, tells the one story that encompasses it all: the story of his life.
In the early 1980s when punks and Rastas were on the streets protesting about unemployment, homelessness and the National Front, Benjamin’s poetry could be heard at demonstrations, outside police stations and on the dance floor. His mission was to take poetry everywhere, and to popularise it by reaching people who didn’t read books. His poetry was political, musical, radical and relevant.
By the early 1990s, Benjamin had performed on every continent in the world (a feat which he achieved in only one year) and he hasn’t stopped performing and touring since. Nelson Mandela, after hearing Benjamin’s tribute to him while he was in prison, requested an introduction to the poet that grew into a lifelong relationship, inspiring Benjamin’s work with children in South Africa. Benjamin would also go on to be the first artist to record with The Wailers after the death of Bob Marley in a musical tribute to Nelson Mandela.
The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah is a truly extraordinary life story which celebrates the power of poetry and the importance of pushing boundaries with the arts.
