Touring and performing is at the heart of his focus on keeping the oral tradition alive over a 22 day period in 1991 he performed on every continent. ![]() ‘Reggae Head’, in this recording, gives a taste of his unique sound, his comic exuberance, and his rage. ![]() His mission was to take poetry everywhere. Zephaniah’s poetry could be heard on the demonstrations, at youth gatherings, outside police stations, and on the dance floor. He moved to London in 1979, the year Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister in the early 80’s Punks and Rastas were on the streets protesting against SUS laws, unemployment, homelessness, the National Front and the policies of the Thatcher government. His anger stays with him, channelled into protest, music and performance. ![]() He left school at 13 unable to read or write, ending up in prison for burglary. ![]() Benjamin Zephaniah was born in Birmingham, and grew up in Jamaica and in Handsworth, where he was sent to an approved school.
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