Benjamin Zephaniah

Benjamin Zephaniah is frequently heard & seen on TV & radio, & in early 1999 was being seriously tipped as the next Poet Laureate
Benjamin was born in 1958 in Black River, Jamaica & grew up in Handsworth with the other nine children in his family. By the age of fourteen he was sent to borstal.
Shortly after leaving he was sentenced for two years for a crime he never committed
His first self-published pamphlet of poems was called Pen Rhythm - & through the dancehall & sound system scene he became involved in performance poetry.
Articles then began to appear about him in the New Musical Express & Black Beat International, & a TV programme followed. In 1982, after extensive gigging in the UK & on the continent, he released the album RASTA
In 1983 & 1985 London City Limits magazine declared him 'Poet of the Year' & in 1988 he was shortlisted for Oxford Professor of Poetry, awarded to the future Nobel prize-winner Seamus Heaney.
His most recent books for adults are City Psalms & Propa Propaganda (Bloodaxe), and a new CD recording has just appeared - Naked (One Little Indian) - available through 57
In the last few years he has acted in BBC TV & radio plays & performed much poetry at gigs & festivals & charity events. He appears increasingly on radio & television as a poet & cultural commentator.
He still performs all his work from memory
The title poem of Benjamin's CD collection - Reggae Head - is featured on the poetry jukebox & a rare live recording can be found on Poetry in Performance Volume 2 (CD)
Benjaimin's work is available on the iPoems system - featuring over 30 poems exclusive to 57 - & 2 x films of Benjamin in performance are available on the video-jukebox

CATALOGUE ITEMS -

Reggae Head
Benjamin Zephaniah: Naked

57 Productions artists