RIP Benjamin Zephaniah

[IFWaters]

RIP Benjamin

Hope they read one of his poems before the match on Saturday.

[Smirker]

RIP Benjamin

Hope they read one of his poems before the match on Saturday.

They'll probably play that ode to Villa but edited to remove the Baggies relevance to the time.

RIP.

[algy]

Wife just told me about this, came straight on here.  Both saddened by the news.

Rest in peace, man.

[eamonn]

Craig Charles paying a nice homage to him right now on BBC 6 Music.

[DeKuip]

Thanks for many enjoyable reading, viewing and, especially, listening hours Benjamin.
You did Birmingham proud.
I will be kind to my Turkey this Christmas.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Very sad news. You did us and yourself proud.

RIP Benjamin

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Always had a great deal of time for his work and took a group of pupils to see him about 10 years ago....had a lovely chat with him...born very close to each other, Villa (obviously), and both vegan...he said something like "we could be twins!"
He was brilliant at communicating his ideas to a young audience, dealt with Q and As really respectfully, superb with the kids and had a pretty big impact on almost all of them.

Feel like we've lost a really good, genuine, wonderful friend.
RIP Benjamin.

[Villa Lew]

A round of applause on 65 minutes on Saturday would be fitting.

RIP Benjamin

[RamboandBruno]

I felt quite upset when i heard this today. Never had the privilege of meeting him, but as a Hockley boy originally he didn't come from too far from me. An inner city Brummie, a great human being and a Villa man. I hope there is a tribute before k/o on Saturday. RIP Benjamin, Holte Ender in the sky.

[not3bad]

To see this today filled me with sadness. Rest in Power Professor Zephaniah.

[Scovilla]

Really sad news. I often teach some of his work among which "Ode to Aston Villa "
Really really sad.
RIP 

[taylorsworkrate]

A round of applause on 65 minutes on Saturday would be fitting.

RIP Benjamin

Totally agree. I think the club itself should have a tribute to him before the game too. The ode to Aston Villa he made is very moving. Its understated and so full of effortless charm.

They could do worse than playing that before kick off as a start

[itbrvilla]

I'm genuinely upset about his loss. Remember him coming to my primary school in South Brum in the 90's. Eyes started watering on the Cross City Line when I heard the news. I liked him because he was a Villa fan, I loved him because he was a Brummie and great human being.

[Hopadop]

With my Jamaican hand on my Ethiopian heart
The African heart deep in my Brummie chest,
And I chant, Aston Villa, Aston Villa, Aston Villa,
Believe me I know my stuff.

[The Edge]

What a day. Spent the morning drooling over last night's highlights and listening to people all over social media purring over my team. Then my son texted me with the sad sad news of the passing of Benjamin Zephaniah. I don't mind admitting i shed a few tears.He was a beautiful human being a proud villa fan and a proud Brummie. What an emotional roller coaster of a day that will live long in the memory.