The “Fumancher” poet.

Benjamin Zephaniah

This ultra-genius poet…

• Was born and raised in Birmingham, England.

• Cannot remember a time when he was not creating poetry.

• Had his first real public performance was in church when he was 10 years old.

• Was not satisfied preaching about the sufferings of Black people, so he sought a wider mainstream audience.

He became famous because…

• In the early Eighties when Punks and Rastas were on the streets protesting about SUS Laws, high unemployment, homelessness and the National Front, Zephaniah's poetry could be heard on the demonstrations, at youth gatherings, outside police stations, and on the dance floor. It was once said of him that he was Britain's most filmed, photographed, and identifiable poet, this was because of his ability to perform on stage, but most of all on television, bringing Dub Poetry straight into British living rooms.

• In the nineties his book publications, record releases and television appearances increased in Britain, although he has concentrated on performing outside Europe. He feels at home anywhere the oral tradition is still strong and lists South Africa,

Books and prizes…

Books written by Benjamin:• Pen Rhythm Page One Books, 1980

• The Dread Affair: Collected Poems Arena, 1985

• Black Plays : Two (includes 'Job Rocking' byBenjamin Zephaniah) Methuen, 1987

• Inna Liverpool Africa Arts Collective, 1988

• Rasta Time in Palestine Shakti, 1990

• City Psalms Bloodaxe, 1992

• Out of the Night: Writings from DeathRow (editor with Marie Mulvey Roberts) New Clarion Press, 1994

• Talking Turkeys Viking, 1994

• Funky Chickens Viking, 1996

• Propa Propaganda Bloodaxe, 1998

Prizes that he won:• 1988 BBC Young Playwrights Festival

Award Hurricane Dub

• 2001 Commission for Racial Equality Race in the Media Radio Drama Award Listen to Your Parents

• 2002 Portsmouth Book Award (Longer Novel category) Refugee Boy

• 2005 British Book Awards Decibel Writer of the Year (shortlist)

• 2006 Manchester Book Award (shortlist) Gangsta Rap