The poet, writer, musician, activist and self-proclaimed ‘Rasta Folkie’ Benjamin Zephaniah has died at the age of 65 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
His family issued the following statement:
It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the death of our beloved Husband, Son and Brother in the early hours of this morning the 7th December 2023. Benjamin was diagnosed with a brain tumor 8 weeks ago.
Benjamin’s wife was by his side throughout and was with him when he passed. We shared him with the world and we know many will be shocked and saddened by this news. Benjamin was a true pioneer and innovator, he gave the world so much. Through an amazing career including a huge body of poems, literature, music, television and radio, Benjamin leaves us with a joyful and fantastic legacy.
Thank you for the love you have shown Professor Benjamin Zephaniah.
His face and voice are familiar to many, often appearing on TV and radio to talk in-depth about the many issues facing the world today, especially modern racism (see below). As an actor, he will maybe be best remembered as the face of Jeremiah “Jimmy” Jesus, the Jamaican-born preacher on the TV series Peaky Blinders who plays the close friend of Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, who said in a statement:
“Benjamin was a truly gifted and beautiful human being — a generational poet, writer, musician and activist. A proud Brummie and a Peaky Blinder. I’m so saddened by this news. RIP.”
Channel 4 News shared this video on his fascinating life (I strongly recommend his autobiography: The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah)
He also appeared in the Imagined Village, the project founded by Simon Emmerson of Afro Celt Sound System, who passed away earlier this year. In 2007, he delivered a powerful retelling of Tam Lyn (Retold), and the folk ballad was given a modern twist…
It was the first of May
She stepped into the club
Lookin’ for the holy herb
And a magical dub
and a message of peace…
Make love not war
This is how we do it
‘I am not de problem’: Benjamin Zephaniah on modern racism
Benjamin Zephaniah on Windrush, anarchism and his time in North Korea
Listen to his music, read his poetry, watch his interviews…RIP Benjamin Zephaniah (1958-2023).
Learn more about Benjamin Zephaniah’s legacy – https://benjaminzephaniah.com/