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The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah
- Narrated by: Benjamin Zephaniah
- Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins
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The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah
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Summary
BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week
Benjamin Zephaniah, who has travelled the world for his art and his humanitarianism, now tells the one story that encompasses it all: the story of his life.
In the early 1980s when punks and Rastas were on the streets protesting about unemployment, homelessness and the National Front, Benjamin’s poetry could be heard at demonstrations, outside police stations and on the dance floor. His mission was to take poetry everywhere, and to popularise it by reaching people who didn’t read books. His poetry was political, musical, radical and relevant.
By the early 1990s, Benjamin had performed on every continent in the world (a feat which he achieved in only one year) and he hasn’t stopped performing and touring since. Nelson Mandela, after hearing Benjamin’s tribute to him while he was in prison, requested an introduction to the poet that grew into a lifelong relationship, inspiring Benjamin’s work with children in South Africa. Benjamin would also go on to be the first artist to record with The Wailers after the death of Bob Marley in a musical tribute to Nelson Mandela.
The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah is a truly extraordinary life story which celebrates the power of poetry and the importance of pushing boundaries with the arts.
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What listeners say about The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr. Matthew S. Wilde
- 03-02-21
I’ve never listened so intently
Thank you Benjamin. Thank you to Adam Buxton for making me aware of Benjamin. I feel as though I relate in so many ways.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Helen Hodgson
- 02-06-22
Compulsory listening
Everyone should listen to or read this. I am horrified that I was growing up just down the road, albeit 10 years later, with no idea of how hard my country was making the lives of the people they had asked to help. The story of how Benjamin Zephaniah grew out of this situation and continues to follow his dream needs to be heard.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- john beaumont
- 01-07-21
My Hero
WOW just WOW!
audiobooks are best when read by the author especially an autobiography and this is no exception. what a life, what a story, what a man, inspiring and Loving, One Love x
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 15-01-24
AMAZING
brilliant book read by a legend. from one poet to another im gutted i never got to meet benjamin but i waa lucky enough to meet his brother
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-12-18
fantastic
fantastic start to finish
brought alive by the author narrating
wpuld give 100 starts if possible
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Goldie Horne
- 08-12-20
An experience of a lifetime achievement in Poetry
The narrative was clear and concise. I was able to relate to the extraordinary events which took a life-changing whirlpool shift towards positive poetic ingenious of expression. Benjamin's chaos yet undeniable positivity deliverance of poetry which rhythmically encounters the brutality, racism, imprisonment , injustice and hostility towards race and the indiscriminations which is rampaging to date. His words are bound together of life, the living earth and its inhabitants of creatures great and small - all of great importance the natural world. His love for humanity and the felt pain of societies greed is destroying the essence of mankind. I enjoyed this very much and hope many people can digest the depth in which Benjamin surrounds the sounds of his poetic talent of words which drums out the woes, thrills, destitute, heartfelt pain, challenges, strength, positivity, deprivation, happiness and love. A life of the past, present and the future poetry worldwide.
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- Miss L C Way
- 25-06-21
Loved this book
A really inspirational read by an inspirational person. Love hearing it in his own voice. I'll be recommending this to everyone
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- Amazon Customer
- 05-06-21
Brilliant book
What a man and what a life he has lived. I loved this book and everything in it. His honesty compassion and insights are compelling. Took me back to the days of my youth as I recognised so many of the people and happenings.
Brilliantly written and read. I did not want to stop listening. Simple, deep and utterly brilliant.
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- Marcella
- 31-08-21
Very informative and interesting
Overall was a good listen, a breakdown of history through the years with examples given at each opportunity really took you back to that time.
Helped join the dots of some missing information and things I had no idea even happened.
Would recommend
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- MSS
- 29-03-23
Wonderful Book
I really enjoyed this book, made even more special with Benjamin reading it. The Authors colourful life was described in wonderful detail not to mention so much thought provoking writing.
I would recommend it to anyone who is curious about Benjamin and writers and poets in general. I promise you will be inspired!
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