Labi Siffre

Claudius Afolabi Siffre, born in London in 1945, is a British singer, songwriter, and poet with a career spanning over five decades. Known for his soulful voice, insightful lyrics, and willingness to address social issues like homophobia and racism. Channelling his soulful voice and poignant lyrics , Labi Siffre has built a celebrated catalog of work over the decades. "Bless The Telephone,” is a firm fan favorite. For those discovering the artist’s music for the first time, the song is an ideal entry point. Featured on his sophomore album, The Singer And The Song (1971) and reflecting the soft rock sound of the early 70s, the track, plaintive, but also urgent, showcases Siffre’s thoughtful lyrics. His compositions tackle themes of love, identity, and social justice, resonating with audiences and inspiring subsequent generations of musicians. Other recognizable classics like "It Must Be Love," which was a UK chart hit in 1971 and later famously covered by Madness in 1981, reaching number 4 on the UK chart. And the powerful anti-apartheid anthem, "(Something Inside) So Strong," a top 5 UK hit that has been used in Amnesty International campaigns and won an Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically. Labi Siffre's work has also experienced renewed attention through significant sampling by hip-hop artists. For example, Eminem's debut single "My Name Is" famously samples Siffre's track "I Got The...", and Kanye West sampled "My Song" in his hit "I Wonder".