Dub poet outspoken on racial abuse

BENJAMIN Zephaniah has been remembered as a “beautiful human being” and “generational” poet following his death aged 65.

The dub poet, known for his works about refugees and healthy eating also appeared in hit BBC show Peaky Blinders as Jeremiah Jesus.

He had been diagnosed with a brain tumour a few weeks before his death.

A slew of celebrities paid tribute to the poet, actor and author including Cillian Murphy, known for portraying Tommy Shelby in the hit BBC series Zephaniah starred in.

In a statement to the PA news agency, the 47-year-old Irish actor said: “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.”

Also paying tribute was comedian, actor and Zephaniah’s friend Sir Lenny Henry.

The 65-year-old said on X, formerly Twitter: “I was saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Benjamin Zephaniah.

“His passion for poetry, his advocacy for education for all was tireless.”

The Birmingham-born poet was nominated for autobiography of the year at the National Book Awards for his work, The Life And Rhymes Of Benjamin Zephaniah, and it was also shortlisted for the Costa Book Award in 2018.

He was kicked out of school at the age of 13, unable to read or write and had dyslexia.

In his 20s he travelled to London where his first book Pen Rhythm was published by Page One Book.

His first writings used dub poetry, a Jamaica style of work that has evolved into the music genre of the same name, and he would also perform with the group The Benjamin Zephaniah Band.

Zephaniah, who rejected an OBE in 2003 due to the association of such an honour with the British Empire and its history of slavery, was often outspoken on racial abuse and education.

The Black Writers’ Guild, of which Zephaniah was a founding member, said it is in “mourning at the loss of a deeply valued friend and a titan of British literature”.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the group wrote: “Benjamin was a man of integrity and an example of how to live your values.

“His life was a testimony to the transformational power of reading and the importance of craft.”

During his music career, Zephaniah worked with Irish singer Sinead O’Connor on Empire and British musician Howard Jones and drummer Trevor Morais on his album