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From The Times
January 5, 2008

Benjamin Zephaniah

The 50 greatest postwar writers: 48

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Handsworth’s most famous son defies categorisation. Dub poet, street politician, novelist, singer, rapper, Sinophile, vegan crusader, feminist, friend to thousands of children and adults all over the world (including Nelson Mandela, who requested a meeting after hearing Zephaniah perform Free South Africa with the Wailers — the first time the band had recorded with another singer since Bob Marley’s death). His journey from ten-year-old street poet prodigy to the man who, with gritty novels for urban teenagers such as Teacher’s Dead (2007) proved that boys will read if the books speak about their own lives, has been one long world tour. It has earned him 13 honourary doctorates, one rejected OBE and a stint as poet in residence at the chambers of Michael Mansfield, QC, at the time of the Stephen Lawrence case, which produced the powerful verse in Too Black, Too Strong.

One to read: Propa Propaganda (1996)

More about Benjamin Zephaniah

Read Benjamin Zephaniah's article on why he refused an OBE in 2003

See the full top 50 list here

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