British poet Benjamin Zephaniah passes at 65

According to a statement from his family on his official X account, British poet and author Benjamin Zephaniah sadly passed away following a brief illness.

According to the statement, the 65-year-old was diagnosed with a brain tumour just eight weeks ago. In the 1980s, Zephaniah gained popularity in Britain as a poet and author of The Black Experience. He did this by adding rhyme to reggae music, a kind of poetry known as “dub poetry.”

His writing frequently addressed the civil unrest that swept through English towns in the middle of the 1980s, as well as his early memories growing up in Handsworth, Birmingham.

He produced seven plays, fourteen poetry volumes, and seven original music recordings. In 2008, The Times listed him as one of the top 50 writers of the post-war era.

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“Benjamin was a true pioneer and innovator; he gave the world so much through an amazing career including an extensive body of poetry, literature, music, television, and radio,” his family wrote in a post on X.

DJ and BBC radio presenter Trevor Nelson described Zephaniah as a “unique talent.”

The BBC radio host said on X: “So sad to hear about the passing of Benjamin Zephaniah. Too young, too soon, he had a lot more to give. He was a unique talent. R.I.P.”