The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah

Original version

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 LW

Benjamin Zephaniah

Sara Davies

Celia de Wolff

The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah: 1. Childhood

1. Childhood

BBC Radio 4 - The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah, 1. Childhood

Poet Benjamin Zephaniah reads his autobiography, beginning with his Birmingham childhood.

Benjamin Zephaniah reads his autobiography, which begins with his childhood growing up in Birmingham. A childhood coloured with love and violence and his introduction to poetry.

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, which begins with his childhood growing up in Birmingham. 

It was a childhood coloured with love and violence, but it was also where his love of poetry first evolved and his relationship with his parents go in two very different directions.

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

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah

1. Childhood

Contributors

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 Extra

About BBC Radio 4 Extra