Black Cab Sessions. Chapter Twenty-Eight: Benjamin Zephaniah

[Sinthusized]

I love this poem. my teacher showed this video a couple of weeks ago and my class was offended.

[CosmicOzric]

I've been reading the wrong poetry. Literally.

I don't know how you can't like this, it's not pretentious 'poetic' bullshit, it's fucking genius rhythm, man, with a sense of humour approaching serious issues. I love Benjamin man.

[number1musiccritic]

Thumbs up to get Castlecomer in a Black Cab Session.

Don't know what i'm talking about, type in "Castlecomer - Amazing Grace"

[XxTMLkBFFLxX]

Feel sorry for the cab diver :L

[Helimoth]

I love it.

[duboracle]

Why is this the most popular vid of him ?

Do you ?

[dolphinbuc]

Welcome home!

[jazzevans]

134 people have disliked this?...

[Dorillo76]

@jazzevans WTF

they're crazy ¬¬

this is awesome

[DaleKiiD]

what radio station was he listenin to?

[salllu]

Who is paying for the cab or he gona make a runa?lolz

[canaan1967]

Did Zephaniah write this?

I think many of us are waking up in this same way.

[QKP2006]

@canaan1967 Yes, Benjamin writes all his own stuff. He's great!

[SnupeJR]

@canaan1967

I have a video that im considering uploading onto youtube... Its a collection of clips of the true actions of governments around the world, including our own. Do tell me if you would like me to upload it, though be warned, it is VERY gruesome

[philcircou]

@SnupeJR Do it!

[usernameichose]

@canaan1967 yes. you are not your possessions. you are not your skin colour. you are not your culture which you automatically inherited. you are not your body. you are likely not anything you can conceive of yet. awaken brothers and sisters, you've mad such mad choices

[Instrumentals4Sale]

Ive never seen this vid before.

Its a really frantic rendition, great stuff.

Highest respect to Zephaniah!

Peace.

[QKP2006]

BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT!!!!!!

Love ya Benjamin!!!!

[thecupdidit]

dude that was something else. The way you write, speak, perform, it makes it real. THis is FANTASTIC. definitely a fan. XD

[sett789]

No mate, your a fuckwhit, fuckwit.

[utopia1963]

you my friend have been sedated

[keleon2000]

I've been watching the wrong YouTube videos!

[JackBrindelli]

love this poem so much, and this poet is a LEGEND

[BlueStar1990]

Wow! This guy is amazing! freakin' AMAZING! <33

[rozzy135]

this guy's amazing <3 he's so passionate about his poetry. such a performer

[chrisbwah]

I live in a building full of African migrants - in South London.

I am scared.

I have been listening to the wrong radio station.

Benjamin - you are doing what England needs.

[waffiki]

this is great,what a gift you are for us zeferayak love him so much.

[NOrthernLight13]

that shits pretty intense

[goldstandardgirl]

Cadence and sanity, not a bad combination.

Hat tip.

-GSG-

Facing a mirror you see merely your own countenance; facing your child you finally understand how everyone else has seen you.

-Daniel Raeburn

[abhoetje]

this guy is amazing

[afrokid53]

this is awesome

[shawry86]

rasta brummies are amazing

[davisher2]

this is awesome

[TheFluorineMartyr]

Yea! Lovin the dreads, and more so the poemusic! Acting the words makes it really potent, and it's all true!

I also like his other video of "rong radio".

Keep on reciting.

[MrAvenged]

Great Man

Great Poet

I have been listening to the wrong radio station

[mylifeasamoma]

what does he say at 150 -154 ish?

[smileydegannes]

Tell me what radio station is that... so that everything u juss described does not pass through my ear drum eva...LOL. Nice flow and passion

[kindu2006]

lol. bad bad bad bad RADIO STATION!!!

[bushypiggy]

Oh jeez, hush about the colour thing!

This is amazing. He's like John Agard but loads better.

[ShoegazingCuca]

He's a genious, I saw him live in Buenos Aires and he was amazing.

[SoulTooSoul]

Benjamin Zephaniah has been one of the leading Dub Poets and political activist in the UK. Benjamin and Linton Kwesi Johnson have elevated the black conscious in the UK and throughout the world. It is very interesting and entertaining watching him resite his poem in a cab. No matter the venue, the poet speaks wisdom.

[donnachaidh]

This is right on.

[avonbeg]

you can tell on all the black cab sessions that the cabbies have been told how 2 pronounce everything only one take before hand XD

[contemplation09]

You'll never guess who I had the back of my cab the other day? That Benjamin Zephaniah bloke!!! Kept on banging on about listening to the wrong radio station....So I suggested he listen to Talk Sport.

[omiolo]

I have one question...

Have you been listening to the wrong radio station????

[HiveRadical]

Interesting

[mintyfro]

who gives a fuk mixin wat colours makes blak or white fukin weird dweebs

[FatihBela]

where the hell is kurdistan. that true where is it hahahahaha

[waswitdat69]

kurdistan is in southern new york state....gee dont you americans know anything lol

[waswitdat69]

you need to Listen to a New Radio station...

[BlackMatter009]

Haha. Cool stuff :-). Peace.

[drainoftheage369]

white is all colors together, and black is the absence of color, but no one is black, and no one is white, everyone are different shades of brown and tan, etc.

[omnione9]

ah no i was taught black is all colors and white is the absence of color, i mean have you mixed all your water colors together, did they turn white? no they didn't, scientifically black absorbs light hence don't where all black in a hot summer day as a post to white which reflects it. I have seen some black ass people, as well as extremley pale white ones. i get your message just wanted to help educate. hopefully we can all get along

[MikeGhesquiere]

It depends if you're using additive or subtractive colours...

So basically you're both right but omnione is retarded.

[omnione9]

why don't you go to hell, and you are the retard we are giving opposing views how can they both be right jackass

[MikeGhesquiere]

Like I said there before, there are two ways to mix colours; additivie and subtractive.

Additive involves the mixing of light where as subtractive involves the mixing of pigments.

Again, you are retarded, you cannot base everything around the concept of duality. Please educate yourself

[omnione9]

no the conversation you got into we are discussing facts, mixing all colors makes black

just like red and blue makes green, duality....

please before you get into somebody elses conversation make sure you know what you are talking about, perhaps you should read the comments again. Now where talking people i mean where did they find the body of the first man? please you sound stupid as hell going against the facts, get some colors and work it out you need the education not i.

[elkrobber]

Stop being an idiot ominone9. Look it up and you will find that mike is correct. If you shine a Red, Green and Blue light onto a black surface you will get a white light (hence Red, Green, Blue make white) this is additive colour.

If you mix Cyan, Magenta and Yellow pigments together, you get black. That is subtractive colour.

Both of the original people had correct theories, but omnione9 proved himself to be more ignorant.

Oh and this is some good zephaniah.

[omnione9]

who are you? please your talking about bullshit now, months after the fact your talking shit, the original topic of discussion was in nature and black is created from mixing all colors. dumbass, white takes on the characteristics of the color its added with this is fact, don't send me stupid messages learn your facts or go to hell

[duvalkp]

lol so much negativity, one love, thanks for the info omnione ur right man i was high and must have switched it around. That is my excuse. haha

[Bakari11]

WHOA! you really need to go back to pre-school science. White is the absence of any color while Black is all colors. Just try using each color in the crayon box on the same area on a piece of paper and see what color you get, Black, the most abundant color in the universe.

[jamoa85]

you are aware its a shade... ?

[domtoug]

lol 3.20!

[antifolkhero]

Never heard of this guy before seeing this video, but man is he talented. Loved that poem.

[URNotMyFellowDJ]

Sorry - that should read: ... 'Botha in South Africa and under Marcos in The Philippines.'

[URNotMyFellowDJ]

911 comments! OK here's another one.

I first saw Benj performing his poetry live in June 1986 outside the Greater London Council building in London after Thatcher the great Patriot outlawed this wing of the opposition, something only ever done in 'Peace-time' Under Bhotta in South Africa and under Marcus in The Philippines.

'Long live the Stanza Ranter.'

[andymagicpants]

Get more of his stuff on telly

[dorinciobanu]

Loved it! Really impressed!

[blobbirobbi]

he sounds a bit like Mr G from russell brand

[Tinypuppies2]

4.30 0f pure truth l love it peace :)

[JahLove289]

Deep! Respect

[PacketDogg]

Db8it, our lifestyle is not unsustainable. In fact, we will have more and better in the future. You would understand what I'm saying if you understood basic economics and if you understood that technology increases our standard of living. But instead, you've fallen for the con like the other idiots. You think we're running out of everything, and you believe that new alternatives will never be found. And that's why you are a fool.

[AttentionDeficitDis]

Dope job family!!! Thought you was gona turn into a Vampire or sumthing!!! LOL

[ollieoyoyoy]

bang on point!

[Shawneha]

My brother is right on point

[astralshepherd]

a marvelous poet-prophet with an excellent presentation in a brilliant setting. outstanding words, profound work. Blessings and best wishes, astralshepherd.

[blowpunkt]

see DONT LISTEN TO THE WRONG IDIOTS dont sell out for wealth...better things come along with patients

[thankgodImwhite]

why are all colored"people" noisey?

[ticktock08]

He's 'black'...not 'coloured'.

[OwenJ1971]

Thankgodimnotdumblikeyou

[OwenJ1971]

That comment was aimed at the idiot below, just to avoid misunderstanding.

[sporksandknives44]

this is my favorite one yet

[deborahbetty58]

Great vid, very condensed poetry in which he expresses his awareness. Wire up your brains and tune your spirit to the Almighty, in due time it will all make complete sense! Bless

[mumpty]

Great take on the world Benjamin. Urban poet extraordinare!!!!!

[cseaton2000]

coolest mad scientist

[QueenE82]

I liked it i think that was great keep it going

[Tawninani]

tHAT WAS FUCKING FANTASTIC!

[raduz123]

awsome! the "bomb our way to peace" line was great. made me laugh and think. and the dude is crazy.lol

[JuicyChina]

He have issues thats all i have to say. I think he smoke to much weed and he turn on the WRONG RADIO STATION, LMAO

[ELM0DERF0QUER]

...thats just sad...and benjamin zephaniah doesn't smoke weed, neither does lee perry...not all rastas do...

[proff1999]

And I'm sure there's a continent called the middle east

and i think i can bomb my way to peace

I've been listening to the last radio station.

[fionaangel34]

sonnds like you been listening to ENERGY.you should try listening to MYSTIC 98.1

On a serious note that was an excellent dub you openend my eyes.

[solfamilyj]

thank you for your thoughts,reminds me that i need to use my brain and think for myself more often.

[tmacrocketscharlton]

this guys fukin psycho

[chonkouren]

hou yea!

[endr117]

faved that shit.

[Kbonefan]

great!!!'

[zedooncadhz]

makes a great point about media influences

[joeunited2004]

The man is a genius and a shining soul. Nice to see you on TV at my old school, Monteagle, Benjamin.....I'm STILL working class.

[NicIsNotANinja]

anyone else gwt the feeling he's been listenning to the wrong radio station? i sort of implys is subtly

[tredissa]

"BRILLIANT,YAH, I CAN DIG IT"!

I'M FINALLY LISTENING TO THE RIGHT RADIO STATION. Nourish me more...Thank You

[mabs321]

I have been trying to CONVINCE myself...that there is someone better on u tube besides u but so far I haven't been able to convince myself.

[groverglover]

nice bohemian style. Excellent eccentricity,

[emoboy87]

so true nice work

[nes018]

HEy this rocks. But - Isn't there a continent called the Middle East...?

[insut07]

nowhere8... well come on then 'explain explain' tell us how dark u mean...Beyonce dark? Liya Kabede dark? Adrianna Lima dark? Condi Rice dark? Halle Berry dark? Arab dark? Cuban dark? Palestinian dark?

Which Indian darkness you talking about? West Indian/American Indian or East Asian Indian?

And who the hell is this Carlton S Coon you keep going on about?

And what the hell has he or Indians got to do with this video anyway?

[Reflecter]

Absolutely stunning! All so true.

[lon21]

haha what a legend!

[kaz287]

Yo that was sik

[shatminer]

I find intense political poetry like this a bit hard to swallow, but damn he's good. A lazy journalist might say 'the modern day british gil scott-heron'...

[QQOQQ]

This wont make a bit of difference, Politicians are void of feelings and often turn a deaf ear & a blind eye2 wots realy going on, Politicians...their not in the real world!Not the World I live in anyway.

This wont make a bit of difference.

[tredissa]

I believe it will and it can start with you.

let's all become "SMARTER VOTERS".Keep hope alive, we need you.

[Drzacksmith]

No you need to tune into radio "politically correct" where you can hear only what you want to hear. Not one where the Static noise of political correctness has been filtered out, leaving only the clarity of truth!

[UTD111]

Haven't a clue wot this bloke is on aboot!!

[geekeejai]

a thin line between genius and insanity

[nakedenglishman]

Cool Vid Dig The motive

[hardcoredj2007]

2;03 fukin funny as man, cool vid funny guy.

[sphinxmorraine]

well you two have been listening to the wrong radio station for to long. i pity you because if you think that that station will even protect you in the long run, you will be very much mistaken. As now one can trully put there faith in that radio station.

[sphinxmorraine]

for years I've been sedated but now i think I'm educated! I've been listing to the wrong radio station!!!! Powerful

[sphinxmorraine]

"i just could not see what was wrong with me i gave hungry people hamburgers you see"!!!!!!!

[sphinxmorraine]

Wow, That was awesome, powerful, and inspiring. i take my hat off to you!!!

[faith218]

Radio station from Benjamin Zephaniah is one of the best i've ever heard in a iong time Im happy that this kind of stuff is being featured.

[trembelz]

THEY PAST MY HOUSE :p

[LondonLeon]

Powerful, Im glad that this kinda stuff is being featured. Allowing some minds to see passed the "radio station" or become curious atleast.

[drmcfake]

insut07: Not challenge the bulk of your comments, just one point. The misconception that BHM is a token for injustice is what turns some people against it. At the time, books barely covered anything black. BHM was to encourage an equal recognition. Today, I disagree of its continued practice because I believe it should not be segregated from American history. But to end the tradition, it must be proven its just as emphasized in hist. books/classes instead of only in 'black' books and one month.

[insut07]

drmcfake... in effect that is what I mean, it is to encourage equal recognition(because of past/pres errors).Personally i think it back fires and can be taken 4 favoritism etc. I have learned about Africa/diaspora myself and think African Americans and others who take interest are being short changed (by a long way)This video is not about race per se but also a whole lots of other things which inter change and lapover each other. Some folks don't get then we lose track of the whole point.

[krayonc]

FIVE STARS!!!! That was INCREDIBLE!

~enthusiastic clapping~ :)

[insut07]

NOWHERE8...YOURE STILL CONFUSED. I am not. Looks like I know more about The African continent than you do. Go to wikipedia and look up ALMORAVIDS. They started around the Senegal river/Maurintainia/mali and spread northwards,they then invaded Spain. Ethiopians are not Caucasians, they are east Africans. Caucasians are from the black sea region(Georgians) east of Turkey. Racist Europeans called Ethiopians white because they couldnt accept their intelligence & biblical links.

[YouGlube]

Wow nicly put. but its your choice to have all of thoes influences to be bcome a part of your perspective in life. In fact its enevetible for you to be shaped by your sorrounding, but its up to you to chose wich will become apart of you by controlling what you are objected too

[CuteBoyPip]

i love black people

[pompeybay2007]

Respect 4 this Rasta!

Benjamin Zephaniah is one of the greats!

This is one of my favorites!

Jah Bless!

[misconduckt]

Good stuff, I was seriously not about to give this a chance at all but this is good shit. I despise radio and can't stand listening to it, just listening to a radio voice makes my blood boil and I want to smash the fucking radio to pieces. I've seriously never heard any radio programming I've enjoyed or thought was informative.

[Connerysr11]

and the right station is.....

[Shawneha]

Waay over yo head

[davr0s]

that's your decision: what should you be listening to?

Biggest respect for Ben Zephaniah, his poetry has entertained, taught and guided me since I was a child. One of the greatest poets of his generation!

[biffty77]

like this one:)

[gamrgods]

Ive been dancing to music, I CANT STAND !

ILOVETHISVIDEO!

[muminah3]

Amazing performance. The stanzas evoke deep thought.

[heeey06]

WICKED lines man, wicked. Great presentation and amazing writing.

[jakewvllc]

i want that as a ringtone

[erikasexo]

hola

[stevil2006]

Thats for you Lukachicago19

[stevil2006]

I think not. You obviously have only experienced the minority. Do not perceive that we are all illiterate. After all, you are speaking our language.

[mabs321]

Can u dig this? I'm on the FIT LIST. Ha Ha He's cool.

[greggable69]

THEN TURN THE RADIO STATION!

[sphinxmorraine]

it a metaphor dumb ass for what is feed to us day in and day out by our western media, political propaganda and just the keeping up with the Jone's way of life. but hey dont worry that it just way over your low IQ brain, im sure you will get comfort from that radio station!!!

[stepcmpb]

Brilliant! I think he just summarized America and its problems in four minutes and 30 seconds! Brilliant!

[beatboy08]

awesome

[suns13311]

maybe its because we as people shouldnt solute something that stands for one thing...we should come together as a species not seperate. another thing to add is the term "african american"...just either be an american, or black, cause I bet if you went to africa you'd feel very much out of place.

[suns13311]

its already been said now I realize, but I'll just add mine I guess. The people on here that are saying black history month is bs are absolutely right.(wether or not its a part of this video)No race should be held higher than another at any point, is there an asian month? No, there isnt, but I've never heard an asian bitch about it. The phrase "Its because I'm black" shouldnt be a phrase period Ive heard people bitch about how Obama wont solute the flag...b 4 you whine about it ask yourself why.

[XedinFlames]

actually there is, and there is a latino one too. They just aren't nearly as popular

[insut07]

suns13311... stuff like black history month (which i agree there should not be such thing)

is given out in token because of the 'injustice' given out to afro-dispora by white societies. Its like trying to make up 4 injustice past&present. History belongs to nations and a mix of races-peoples, not one or the other. It was European nations which skewerd the view of Africa and made Africans second class citizens. 1 history month will never make up for it. ppl should just reject lies/propaganda.

[sidzpiredos]

he's the poet, right?

[Raznorr]

wow he's a genius, putting all those emotions and debatable subjects in there, great!

[aahmed2905]

amazing, social commentary that makes sense!

[amigomatt]

Love to hear a white man do this

[sphinxmorraine]

why are you jealous of a black man doing this? whether he is white or black what was said affects us all!

[BeechSundowner]

Good Video!

[jassi4010709]

does this apply to you?

as a human?

/watch?v=h7BZjjYNNdA

[1200prod1000]

I can't get no - SATISFACTION!

[mabs321]

I'm on the Fit list. Can u dig this? I'm on the Fit list. Not the hit list. the fit list. I can dig that.

[KimichiSu]

this is really cool

i love the message

great poem

[mabs321]

Can you dig this? I put myself on a fit list. Not a hit list-but a FIT list.Cool.I can dig that.

[sphinxmorraine]

its hit list man not fit list! how could anyone put themselve on a fit list?!?!?!? think about it for a second. Any way I'm from south London and this guy definitely said hit list.

[mabs321]

on his website and on here, mu initial comment to him had been Can u dig this? i'm on the hit list.Then later I heard it again and it sounded like hit and fit both in the same verse. and, he IS being hyper. Check out my previous posts and you;ll see.

[EntrepreneursWanted]

Love it! You've got a new fan in me Ben!

[peeenisss]

i have a boner now. i must be a faggot.

[TurnerDiaries]

Yet another whining ethnic; Shakespeare, he is not!

[Jcolinsol]

It takes all kinds to make a society of free men. Don't hide, wake up.

[sayeed1987]

i remmba wen i was in school some years age we went his peotry show withmy school. now after all these years i se him in youtube n i still think he is a magnificent poet, big up benj no doubt

[tomthecool]

Religion is the root of all these problems.

[ukandme]

just simply Great.....

[keleon2000]

try listening to the regular guys, rock 100.5

Atlanta Ga.

and maybe stop trying to convince yourself and others that just because your a bleeding heart this country should not defend itself!

Terrorism is real!