The celebrated poet Benjamin Zephaniah died in December 2023. As a tribute, Radio 4 is broadcasting the 2018 Book of the Week recording of his autobiography The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah.

No longer content in Birmingham, Zephaniah moves to London, where he finds himself culturally, religiously and politically inspired. Rastafari has opened his eyes to his ability to be both religiously and politically aware and his writing is being recognised as he begins to perform his poetry in pubs against a backdrop of racial tension that was brewing in cities across England.

Written and read by Benjamin Zephaniah
Abridged by Sara Davies
Producer: Celia de Wolff

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 Show less