The life and rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah

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  • Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
  • The British poet has died at the age of 65. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour eight weeks ago, his Instagram page stated.
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    The post read: ‘Through an amazing career including a huge body of poems, literature, music, television and radio, Benjamin leaves us with a joyful and fantastic legacy.’ Zephaniah used his career to address political injustice, highlighting personal experiences and tackling issues such as immigration and racism. His work was heavily influenced by Jamaican poetry and music, and he was often classified as a dub poet. In 2003, he rejected his OBE, saying it would be hypocritical as he had been ‘fighting against empire all my life’.
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    #BenjaminZephaniah #VideoObituary

КОМЕНТАРІ • 141

  • @DavidHembrow
    @DavidHembrow 10 місяців тому +86

    A decent man. His passing is a real loss for us all.

    • @asa1973100
      @asa1973100 10 місяців тому +4

      Lovely bloke, remember when he battered he’s pregnant, girlfriend half to death and was arrested for it and sent to prison !!
      Real salt of the Earth wasn’t he…..

    • @CarysCreatesThings
      @CarysCreatesThings 10 місяців тому +11

      ⁠@@asa1973100That’s not true.

    • @nickybutt9733
      @nickybutt9733 9 місяців тому

      nothing juvenile about domestic violence which Benji did@@cassius348

    • @surreal7963
      @surreal7963 9 місяців тому +2

      ​@@asa1973100Literally just lied, just say you're racist and move on.

  • @desmondmallette5982
    @desmondmallette5982 10 місяців тому +16

    Definitely an articulated rebel with passion who always caught my attention and held it blessings brother see you in the upper level

  • @channel-gt1cb
    @channel-gt1cb 9 місяців тому +9

    His poem 'I Love Me Mudder' made our classroom very happy. Whenever we had to study poetry (boring!) our teacher opened with 'I Love Me Mudder' and suddenly poetry was cool!

  • @tabazan9182
    @tabazan9182 10 місяців тому +39

    A true man of the People.
    Will be greatly missed.
    Rest in Power and eternal light.
    You deserve nothing less.
    🕊 🕯 🌠

    • @janiebarker2687
      @janiebarker2687 10 місяців тому +1

    • @asa1973100
      @asa1973100 10 місяців тому +4

      Lovely bloke, remember when he battered he’s pregnant, girlfriend half to death and was arrested for it and sent to prison !!
      Real salt of the Earth wasn’t he…..

    • @azillliasmith2734
      @azillliasmith2734 10 місяців тому

      @@asa1973100to be fair he "really regretted" it though

    • @tabazan9182
      @tabazan9182 10 місяців тому +2

      @@asa1973100
      Yes he was and always will be. Id never condone such an act.
      But how much light have you shone into dark corners.
      I bet your a model citizen arnt you.
      Don't throw stones when you live in a green house Asa.

    •  10 місяців тому +1

      @@tabazan9182 : Well said buddy, but did you mean - "Don't throw stones when you
      live in (GLASS HOUSES)??😉

  • @JammyDodger45
    @JammyDodger45 10 місяців тому +21

    A truly amazing poet and outstanding person.
    The world is a poorer place tonight.
    One Love Brother x

    • @UKProperPrepper
      @UKProperPrepper 10 місяців тому +2

      Indeed it is.

    • @asa1973100
      @asa1973100 10 місяців тому +2

      Lovely bloke, remember when he battered he’s pregnant, girlfriend half to death and was arrested for it and sent to prison !!
      Real salt of the Earth wasn’t he…..

    • @asa1973100
      @asa1973100 10 місяців тому +2

      Lovely bloke, remember when he battered he’s pregnant, girlfriend half to death and was arrested for it and sent to prison !!
      Real salt of the Earth wasn’t he…..

    • @jasoneaton9477
      @jasoneaton9477 10 місяців тому +1

      I never heard of the guy.. none of of my black friends knew him

    • @JammyDodger45
      @JammyDodger45 10 місяців тому

      @@jasoneaton9477 - ah yes, because in the 8hrs between his death and your post you reached out to all your many black friends and said "hey guys I know it's hugely racist to presume all black people know each other but did you know BZ?"
      And none of your black friends did thus proving ... what exactly?
      Your black friends don't like poetry? Your black friends aren't into political reform? Your black friends never watched Peaky Blinders?
      Do I need to go on?

  • @dalepointer9414
    @dalepointer9414 10 місяців тому +17

    Poetry
    Words without swords
    They cut without bleeding
    They enter slowly
    Like flowers seeding
    Poetry is black on white
    Red on green
    Blue on yellow
    Whatever color scheme
    It is a mirror
    To think and evolve
    To evaluate yourself
    And issues to solve
    No man is an island
    The old poet wrote
    Brother to brother sister to sister
    The baggage we tote

  • @renicostareni2313
    @renicostareni2313 10 місяців тому +3

    😔🖤🤝For your soul Benhamin all my love and thanks for all you did bofore for people. Rest in peace Benjamin.😔🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

  • @alison8186
    @alison8186 10 місяців тому +4

    Love ya x miss ya x love ya x thank you for everything x

  • @rssiddharth3134
    @rssiddharth3134 10 місяців тому +5

    Mankind lost a rebel against injustice...
    Love and respect from India....❤🎉

    • @berniv7375
      @berniv7375 4 місяці тому

      Benjamin Zephaniah was a rebel against all injustices. That is why he was a vegan. Please stop patronising the visionary and start emulating the vegan visionary. Thank you.🌱❤🌱

  • @DaNiyaHodge
    @DaNiyaHodge 10 місяців тому +5

    Rip Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah, you will be missed

  • @Carl-bg7er
    @Carl-bg7er 10 місяців тому +6

    Master of poetry... poetry in motion. But I respected him even more when he turned down being honoured. But all these black celebrities in whatever field gladly accepted it without even thinking about it...but then they have the nerve to pay their respects to this great and proud man.

  • @EarthPoets
    @EarthPoets 10 місяців тому +16

    Be kind to all turkeys this Christmas
    because that is what Benj would have done.
    Go vegan and save one for Christmas
    because turkeys just wanna have fun.
    Sleep well big man 🙏🏾.

  • @SajidM12
    @SajidM12 10 місяців тому +12

    Rest In Peace.

  • @humbles19
    @humbles19 10 місяців тому +15

    People need people ❤️

  • @deniseroberts5747
    @deniseroberts5747 10 місяців тому +19

    Will be sorely missed. Just feels too soon, too sudden, too much still left to do... RiP Captain of Literature - you ran well.

  • @London_miss234
    @London_miss234 10 місяців тому +37

    Rest in peace. A great man!

  • @AV-xw6sj
    @AV-xw6sj 9 місяців тому +3

    Hit me hard such a great man. UTV Rest in Power!

  • @sonsyc5484
    @sonsyc5484 10 місяців тому +8

    We're lost an important voice!

  • @Suziwellbeingchannel
    @Suziwellbeingchannel 10 місяців тому +3

    remember meeting him at school but got to shy to go up to in

  • @andrewhone3346
    @andrewhone3346 10 місяців тому +4

    Britain needs more poets like Benjamin Zephaniah. RIP.

  • @Jahfriend
    @Jahfriend 10 місяців тому +20

    Absolute legend a great man stood up to the aristocracy when offered an obe an intelligent man not a push over RIP poet warrior 👍🦁🙏👍

  • @janemissmoo
    @janemissmoo 10 місяців тому +2

    What a beautiful beautiful man . We have lost someone really special

  • @BillyGOAT83
    @BillyGOAT83 10 місяців тому +21

    What an incredible man. Rest In Power King ✊🏾

  • @PrincessCarwash2050
    @PrincessCarwash2050 10 місяців тому +4

    Nooo, we loved that guy !

  • @flyagaric23
    @flyagaric23 10 місяців тому +10

    Legend, a poet activist with more integrity than most. Birmingham's finest. He will be missed. All love.

  • @MrMarshmelloBoi
    @MrMarshmelloBoi 10 місяців тому +9

    Be more realistic, he never died. The martyr lies in heaven with Bob Marley, Smiley Culture, and Jah Shaka!

    • @Jahfriend
      @Jahfriend 10 місяців тому

      true Rasta in Zion 🦁👍

  • @williampowell6309
    @williampowell6309 10 місяців тому +4

    RIP ❤

  • @henyosdilly8999
    @henyosdilly8999 10 місяців тому +7

    What a thoroughly decent man. He had more cool than Antarctica. Rip

  • @alicequayle4625
    @alicequayle4625 10 місяців тому +2

    Wonderful brave kind human.

  • @andyturnbullguitarteacher
    @andyturnbullguitarteacher 9 місяців тому +1

    Bless his beautiful soul

  • @kernow62
    @kernow62 10 місяців тому +5

    RIP, a beautiful human being.

  • @johnnysolstice8550
    @johnnysolstice8550 10 місяців тому +3

    The turkey's have lost their Champion
    Christmas just wont be the same
    so be kind to your turkey this christmas
    and remember darling Shane...............One Love❤

    • @AK-np4rp
      @AK-np4rp 9 місяців тому +1

      Absolutely. When I became vegan back in 96, he was one of the first vegan voices I read so his passing has had a big impact on me.

    • @johnnysolstice8550
      @johnnysolstice8550 9 місяців тому +1

      @@AK-np4rpVegan also!... we shared a dressing room once and I let him have a ride on my motorcycle, he encouraged me to continue writing poetry and for that I am eternally grateful....although my performing days are over (70+COPD) I have such sweet memories of a wonderful warm human being....One Love❤

    • @AK-np4rp
      @AK-np4rp 9 місяців тому +1

      @@johnnysolstice8550 Thanks for sharing. I wish I had the chance to meet him. Peace, vegan brother. ✌️

  • @Therapy-with-Ben
    @Therapy-with-Ben 10 місяців тому +2

    Rest in power Benjamin.✊

  • @RoofLight00
    @RoofLight00 10 місяців тому +6

    RIP dread, say it loud in the next life 🙏🏾

  • @mariegarrison7081
    @mariegarrison7081 9 місяців тому +1

    You died on my birthday and I will always remember you.
    You were the voice for those who couldn't speak !
    RIP

  • @mietsonikattak593
    @mietsonikattak593 7 місяців тому

    tnx for music, rhymes, books ! VERY VALUABLE

  • @sxceve25
    @sxceve25 10 місяців тому +1

    🙏🏽❣️

  • @JessWrong
    @JessWrong 9 місяців тому +2

    Absolute legend.

  • @Suziwellbeingchannel
    @Suziwellbeingchannel 10 місяців тому +1

    saw him around birmingham too.

  • @Bob-wr4ep
    @Bob-wr4ep 9 місяців тому +1

    RIP He seemed genuine.

  • @LarryDeskPlant
    @LarryDeskPlant 8 місяців тому

    Rest in Peace, you have impacted us all for the better.

  • @AK-np4rp
    @AK-np4rp 9 місяців тому +1

    Shame that the Guardian chose to ignore Benjamin's passion for animal rights by not including it in this video. Omission speaks volumes. Benjamin would be disappointed.

  • @witriviakambanizithe
    @witriviakambanizithe 10 місяців тому +1

    Rest In Peace Benjamin

  • @1milliondogs
    @1milliondogs 10 місяців тому +10

    He seemed like a pretty decent guy. I Guess like most people that follow a strong political idealogy, he was riddled with contradictions. However, it seems like his intent was pure. Rest in peace.

  • @maurice8607
    @maurice8607 10 місяців тому +1

    RIP, my man.

  • @chrissilver7719
    @chrissilver7719 10 місяців тому +4

    A voice of reason in a time of post truth. He will be missed

  • @MindSetReset
    @MindSetReset 10 місяців тому +2

    😢😢 R.I.Yahweh.Peace 🙏🏾🙏🏾 @Benjamin Zephaniah Really shocked and saddened to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family🙏🏾🙏🏾

  • @Iynz1
    @Iynz1 10 місяців тому +5

    Rip ❤

  • @kevnev342
    @kevnev342 3 місяці тому

    Rest in Power MR Zephaniah ❤🖤

  • @davidbeswick900
    @davidbeswick900 10 місяців тому +1

    RIP brother

  • @eoinfenton3416
    @eoinfenton3416 10 місяців тому +2

    A great man… nothing else needs saying.

  • @Naturelife7-i6b
    @Naturelife7-i6b 9 місяців тому

    The tearfulness that he was going through was an indication of emotional overload. On the Spiritual level he was been prepared for departure. 😢

  • @cdean2789
    @cdean2789 10 місяців тому +2

    He was a great supporter of Palestine. 🇵🇸

  • @fredjackson8408
    @fredjackson8408 9 місяців тому

    I felt this in the roots of my dreads

  • @hilmanwijaya8591
    @hilmanwijaya8591 10 місяців тому +2

    RIP

  • @WesleyWattley-xy4fg
    @WesleyWattley-xy4fg 10 місяців тому +2

    Well Decent poetry of taste ,choice, culture,spoken in the language of art in patois broken english enflaming racists complex psychopathy❤❤❤ OurBrother BiG BEN

  • @yusuphmligiliche8353
    @yusuphmligiliche8353 10 місяців тому

    THANK YOU

  • @JAHzJaJa
    @JAHzJaJa 10 місяців тому

    🥀🕊️ 🙏🏽

  • @explorelondon3695
    @explorelondon3695 10 місяців тому +1

    Bless his soul❤

  • @nelsonsouthsider3005
    @nelsonsouthsider3005 10 місяців тому

    A wonderful wonderful man rest in peace

  • @fitzbryden5642
    @fitzbryden5642 10 місяців тому

    Real Real Real Ras Blessing your Soul is Seal Peace

  • @WesleyWattley-xy4fg
    @WesleyWattley-xy4fg 10 місяців тому +1

    Poet laure ❤️ l!!!

  • @ritawing1064
    @ritawing1064 3 місяці тому

  • @maxb9315
    @maxb9315 9 місяців тому

    A 'titan of literature', according to a Radio 4 report on his death I heard. That's hyperbole if ever I encountered it. He was hardly Dostoevsky.

  • @DixieWrekDeaD
    @DixieWrekDeaD 10 місяців тому

    Rip Sir.

  • @marieo5417
    @marieo5417 10 місяців тому

    🕯

  • @leegosling
    @leegosling 10 місяців тому +2

    National treasure.

  • @mikew6345
    @mikew6345 9 місяців тому

    He puts you in the mind of a Gil Scott Heron.

  • @Story_Fuel
    @Story_Fuel 9 місяців тому

    😢😢😢😢

  • @trevordoolan5011
    @trevordoolan5011 10 місяців тому +1

    Benjamin Zephaniah R.I.P. ✊
    Another Poet, Artist, Activist Passes,
    It's less of a World without the True Voices...
    .

  • @AyshaA-ml2rd
    @AyshaA-ml2rd 6 місяців тому

    “When I was young, there were two things that I really wanted to see; a free South Africa, and a free Palestine.”
    FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸

  • @asa1973100
    @asa1973100 10 місяців тому +6

    Lovely bloke, remember when he battered he’s pregnant, girlfriend half to death and was arrested for it and sent to prison !!
    Real salt of the Earth wasn’t he…..

    • @MichelleAhern-gr9zl
      @MichelleAhern-gr9zl 10 місяців тому

      O & p.s i had a partner that liked 2 'hit me ..i got no illusions believe me i do know d difference between folk who enjoy indulging violence make excuses for vile behaviour etc , & dem dat were abused 4 real , who rose above it & actually live there walk & talk . . . Enough said i wish u peace

    • @AK-np4rp
      @AK-np4rp 9 місяців тому

      Why are you spamming the comments? What's your intent? Your comment is a lie. Zephaniah was infertile. He did admit to be guilty of domestic abuse but he deeply regretted it and said it burned him up inside. The thing about Zephaniah was that he was open about all the bad things he did and felt bad for what he did. He had integrity. Do you regret anything that you have done or do you not have the moral courage to be open and reflective about the wrongs you have committed?

  • @descending-ros
    @descending-ros 9 місяців тому

    Descansa en pan 🤍

  • @pas5735
    @pas5735 9 місяців тому

    In the Bleak Midwinter.

  • @Alexa4379
    @Alexa4379 10 місяців тому

    RIP

  • @Mrgingerdread1
    @Mrgingerdread1 7 місяців тому

    Cool dude.

  • @ev.renatogideao9128
    @ev.renatogideao9128 10 місяців тому

    Bolsonaro, meu presidente (votarei em quem ele indicar) porque confio no seu caráter e na sua honestidade, um homem de palavra, Obrigado meu presidente (No tempo da pandemia repassou o auxílio emergencial sem politicagem o cidadão ia no banco e sacava o dinheiro não importava que partido ele era), Se o auxílio fosse no governo do pt o dinheiro seria repassado para os estado depois para os município depois para as ONGs ai eles faria a festa(a população receberia só a metade do valor e o mais entereçande so para quem eles quizeçe, a outra metade seria desviado para os amigos do rei

  • @maryjanerooney
    @maryjanerooney 9 місяців тому

    A very principled and talented man . He will be missed.

  • @Louisdegalfilla7
    @Louisdegalfilla7 10 місяців тому

    Rip Benjamin in a better place.

  • @DirtyDingusMcGee
    @DirtyDingusMcGee 10 місяців тому +1

    Same cause of death as Bob Marley.

  • @countsarcasticula4296
    @countsarcasticula4296 10 місяців тому

    Rest in power Benjamin Zephaniah.
    We never met one another,
    but I will never forget you brother.
    Two socialist souls,
    with well meaning goals
    and hearts that were joined at the lip.
    We may take a pause,
    before continuing your cause
    to mourn your passing,
    and to celebrate your passion
    for the suffering of others,
    for the fathers and mothers
    who's children went hungry last night.
    We'll pick up your pencil
    and use it to stencil,
    the words
    injustice is no justice at all.
    So rest easy brother,
    till we do meet each other
    in the stars that sparkle for all...

  • @MichelleAhern-gr9zl
    @MichelleAhern-gr9zl 7 місяців тому

    Some is having a go at me 4 spamming Benjys praises tough .. domestic violence impact on children has a real impact .so the soul who has gotten a noyed with me tough i knew abusers who thought themselves clever doing that to their kid or kids etc how dare u come after me 4 ad.ireing an honest .man like benjy .. i am a pacifist .deal with it have u had to counsel kids traumised by domestic " *********** i hv ok

  • @Scitch-et4vk
    @Scitch-et4vk 10 місяців тому

    😂😂😂

  • @Scitch-et4vk
    @Scitch-et4vk 10 місяців тому +7

    One less sniveling immigrant lover

    • @CarysCreatesThings
      @CarysCreatesThings 10 місяців тому +1

      I’d choose an “immigrant lover” over a racist any day.

    • @ciaran1988
      @ciaran1988 10 місяців тому +2

      Unless it comes for you Brits and paddies in Spain ect eh? Oh right it's expat not immigrant 🤣

  • @jasoneaton9477
    @jasoneaton9477 10 місяців тому +3

    Who?? I never heard of the guy..oh well

    • @ShakiraDyer
      @ShakiraDyer 10 місяців тому +2

      You can read or listen to some of his poetry.

    • @clairduffy60
      @clairduffy60 10 місяців тому +1

      Oh please..

    • @jasoneaton9477
      @jasoneaton9477 10 місяців тому

      @@clairduffy60 if it wasnt for him croaking I wouldn't have known he existed..seriously

    • @jasoneaton9477
      @jasoneaton9477 10 місяців тому +1

      @@ShakiraDyer no thanks.. he's gone now.. I'll stick to nikki giavonne and sonya Sanchez...

    • @ciaran1988
      @ciaran1988 10 місяців тому +2

      Yawn...

  • @huwzebediahthomas9193
    @huwzebediahthomas9193 10 місяців тому

    Suspiciously
    too young
    again...

    • @iolo1920
      @iolo1920 10 місяців тому +7

      He was diagnosed with a brain tumour 8 weeks ago

    • @MichelleAhern-gr9zl
      @MichelleAhern-gr9zl 10 місяців тому

      ​@@iolo1920he ws diagnosed with a brain tumour u shud give dat consideration ,d brother died within 2 days .he ws so courageous

    • @MichelleAhern-gr9zl
      @MichelleAhern-gr9zl 10 місяців тому

      Correction a short period thereafter..😢

    • @MichelleAhern-gr9zl
      @MichelleAhern-gr9zl 10 місяців тому

      Perhaps u shud also consider , our government party gated their thru out d Covid Epedemic, ...whilst d public sufferd worldwide, tell it like it is

  • @nickybutt9733
    @nickybutt9733 10 місяців тому +4

    Admitted to hitting his girlfriend more than once. Terrible.

    • @AK-np4rp
      @AK-np4rp 9 місяців тому

      And felt very bad about it. You conveniently ignored that bit. What are your sins?