Benjamin Zephaniah

Novelist, playwright, poet, actor, and outspoken activist Benjamin Zephaniah released his first book of poetry, Pen Rhythm, in 1979. His debut album, Rasta, was released in 1983 and followed by 1984's Us an Dem, 1995's Back to Roots, and 1996's Belly of de Beast. A prolific writer, Zephaniah refused a nomination for the prestigious Order of the British Empire in 2003, sending a letter to The Guardian that explained his reasons for declining the award. In 2006, he released Naked, an album of his poetry performed over dub and trip-hop beats. While remaining active as a writer, he released one more album, 2017's Revolutionary Minds, before his death on December 7, 2023.