British author/poet Benjamin Zephaniah has died at the age of 65.
Eight weeks after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, the pioneering writer passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning.
“It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the death of our beloved husband, son and brother in the early hours of this morning,” his family wrote on their social media pages.
“Benjamin’s wife was by his side throughout and was with him when he passed. We have shared him with the world and know that many will be shocked and saddened by this news. Benjamin was a true pioneer and innovator who gave so much to the world.
“Through an amazing career that included a huge body of poetry, literature, music, television and radio, Benjamin leaves us with a joyful and fantastic legacy. Thank you for your love, Professor Benjamin Zephaniah.
Zephaniah was born in Birmingham to Barbadian and Jamaican parents. His literary works, which included poetry, plays, novels and children’s books, often addressed social injustice and racism.
He publicly declined the honor of an OBE in 2003, stating that he was “profoundly anti-empire”.
The outspoken political activist and dub poet also appeared in several films and television projects. On screen, he was perhaps best known for playing Jeremiah Jesus in the TV series Peaky Blinders, starring Cillian Murphy.
Jeremiah was also an accomplished musician, releasing her debut album Rasta in 1982 and her last album, Revolutionary Minds, in 2017.
