This Mixtape Assembly is held by the mighty Benjamin Zephaniah, one of the most important voices to come out of the UK.
Benjamin is many things, many many things, but he is probably best known as a poet. His achievements are too great to list here, though speaking personally as someone who works in education I'd like to salute Benjamin for bringing words and stories to life for so many young people around the world.
In his Mixtape Assembly, Benjamin goes on a bit of a deep one, talking freely on life after death, meditation and breath, and why the royal family could never be blessed.
Musically we get some insight into the multiple worlds that Benjamin inhabits, and I reckon his selection features the happiest tune and the angriest tune on the podcast to date - hold tight my heavy metal crew.
Along the way, Benjamin sprinkles the show with sparkling little stories, including the time he inadvertently reunited a warring Wailers in the aftermath of Bob Marley’s death, his role in helping to launch Dizzee Rascal’s career, and the times he spent hanging out with Paul McCartney in smoked out dub clubs in Brixton...
TRACKLIST:
1. Percy Shelley: Song To The Men Of England
2. Roots Manuva: Let The Spirit
3. Cat Stevens: Matthew And Son
4. Gladys Knight: Help Me Make It Through The Night
5. Bob Marley and The Wailers: Rastaman Chant
6. Benjamin Zephaniah and The Wailers: Free South Africa
7. Benjamin Zephaniah: In Times Like These
8. Leonard Cohen: Closing Time
9. George Harrison: Here Comes The Sun (Live Version)
10. System of a Down: Prison Song
11. Matthew Herbert: The Audience
12. Si Phili feat. Benjamin Zephaniah: Scrolling
You can listen to almost all of Benjamin's choices on this Spotify Playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4BLW4OY4wJSOwEFDJ642gX?si=2VyUZ0NDS5-0Ui5RV6GwSg
