George The Poet’s ‘Have You Heard George’s Podcast?’ Is The First British Podcast To Win A Peabody Award!

The Have You Heard George’s Podcast? by George the Poet, and collaborator Benbrick have won a 2019 Peabody Award, making it the first podcast outside of the United States to win this prestigious award.

The Peabody Awards recognise the most compelling and empowering stories released in broadcasting and digital media and are frequently cited as the most respected award in US media due to the rigour of their nomination and selection process.

Have You Heard George’s Podcast? is a remarkable and arresting creative engagement with European colonialism and the Black Atlantic consciousness its afterlife produced. With a unique creative mix of storytelling, music and fiction which delivers a fresh take on inner-city life. Through spoken word and sound design, and with an original score by collaborator Benbrick, George has explored various powerful themes and issues including education for disadvantaged young people, reflections on the Grenfell Tower, the Libyan slave trade and his personal relationship with Uganda and Britain.

Of the Peabody Award win, George The Poet commented; “To win a Peabody feels like being honoured by storytelling royalty. Our podcast was inspired by greats from different fields who have also been honoured here; it’s a milestone in my career that I never dreamed of reaching so soon. On behalf of my community, I’m grateful for this recognition of our truth.”

Benbrick, George’s collaborator said; “This recognition from the Peabody jury holds a special significance, not only given the award’s history, and the illustrious alumni of past winners that it has recognised since 1941, but because it offers an international spotlight to help highlight the importance of George’s writing.”

Jason Phipps, Commissioning Editor for Podcasts on BBC Sounds, said: “Becoming the first podcast outside of the US to win a Peabody is a huge milestone for Have You Heard George’s Podcast? and in the evolution of podcasting as a medium with the power to tell stories that resonate, educate and entertain across international borders. The podcast began as a grassroots DIY collaboration and this huge accolade is testimony to George the Poet and Benbrick’s extraordinary creativity and originality. I know I’m joined by others who have supported the podcast at Radio 1Xtra, Radio 4 as well as my team in congratulating George the Poet and Benbrick on this brilliant achievement.”

You can listen to the first two chapters of the podcast on BBC Sounds or via his website here!

A huge congratulations to the George The Poet!