Urban Art Association

Banksy Does Benjamin Zephaniah Cover, by Daniel Silk on Feb 21, 2006 13:55:16 GMT 1, Banksy Does Benjamin Zephaniah Cover

From - www.skiddle.com

Benjamin Zephaniah v Rodney P ‘Naked & Mixed Up’ EP, 20th March (One Little Indian)

‘Naked’ album, 3rd April (One Little Indian)

Acclaimed poet, successful author and writer, politicised commentator, reggae DJ, broadcaster, a people’s laureate, gifted musician… All of the above have been used in relation to Benjamin Zephaniah; he himself prefers the simpler description of "wordsmith". As one of this country’s most treasured public figures Benjamin entertains countless listeners and readers around the world with the shining inspirational vitality and imagination embedded in his work. ‘Naked’ and ‘Naked & Mixed Up’ display his wonderful lyrical abilities against the background of a dub inspired musical adventure.

Growing up in the Handsworth district of Birmingham, Benjamin attended an approved school until leaving at just thirteen. After a few difficult years which saw Zephaniah spend time in jail and battle his then undiagnosed dyslexia, he moved to East London in 1980. It was then that his first book, ‘Pen Rhythm’, was published – a collection of lively poems born of Benjamin’s formidable intellect. Remarkably, as Benjamin was himself unable to read or write at the time he channelled the poems onto paper by dictating them to a literate girlfriend. The book was one of the biggest selling independently published poetry collections and launched Benjamin’s international career. Due to his prolific output Benjamin’s reputation continues to grow and flourish in several areas of work all of which are united and underpinned by the written and spoken word.

Having always loved music and been inspired by artists like Linton Kwesi Johnson, Big Youth, and many others, Benjamin and these releases both continue a long tradition tagged ‘dub poetry’. With Jamaican roots and clear links to reggae, dub poetry is predominantly lyric based enabling Benjamin to bring his brilliant talents to this arena. Benjamin’s music is primarily intended to inform and entertain, and is unafraid to touch upon political and socially sensitive areas including subjects such as; politics, war, terrorism, abuse, responsibility, prisons and the media. The Naked album features production by Trevor Morais, drummer from acclaimed 60’s Liverpool group ‘Faron’s Flamingos’, and later of jazz trio ‘The Peddlers’. The striking sleeve artwork is provided by legendary Bristol graffiti artist Banksy.

The Naked & Mixed Up EP sees Benjamin join forces with a premier figure in British hip-hop; Rodney P. Taking over the producer’s chair, Rodney gets behind the boards reinterpreting selected Naked album tracks with his own production. As a member of the groundbreaking ‘London Posse’ trio, Rodney P [real name Rodney Panton] himself helped lay the foundations upon which the hip-hop scene in this country was created. Since the London Posse days Rodney has been instrumental in the scene, helping to set up the BBC’s black music radio station ‘1Xtra’ and presenting its flagship hip-hop show, as well as later carving out a successful solo career.

The Naked and Mixed Up EP comes out on 20th March, followed by the full Naked album on 3rd April. Both releases will come via One Little Indian who are currently celebrating 21 years as one of the UK’s most innovative, diverse and successful independent labels.

www.indian.co.uk

www.benjaminzephaniah.com/