So many people seem to be of the opinion that the music of yesteryears has much more meaning lyrically than the music of today. One of those soulful and lyrical artists who the opinion may hold for is Claudius Afolabi Siffre, popularly known as Labi Siffre.
He is a multi-talented artist who is not only a musician but also a poet, writer, and songwriter. Some of his songs have been covered by many popular musicians of today including Eminem.
Siffre is still very much alive and most probably hale and hearty. He has decided to keep a low profile and stay away from the media limelight.
What is more surprising about the multitalented legend is how he has stayed away from the news. And has maintained a very quiet life. The belief is that he now lives in England where he is spending his old age.
He is active on Twitter where he continues to share his thoughts on things he finds interesting. They include politics, social issues, religion, and poetry. He has thousands of owers on the platform.
Siffre was born on 25th June 1945 to a Nigerian father and a British mother. His mother has both Belgian and Barbadian blood running through her veins. He is currently 78 years old.
He was the 4th of his parents’ 5 children.
Siffre grew up and spent most of his childhood in the Baywater and Hampstead area of London. He received his early education at the St. Benedict’s School, Earling in West Lonon in the United Kingdom.
He was trained very early in his childhood as a Catholic. But several years later during an interview, he stated that he has always been an atheist. And even while attending Catholic school.
Siffre has never shied away from openly expressing and acknowledging his gay relationship status, even in an era when it was not acceptable to openly do so.
He met Peter John Carver Lloyd in 1964 when he was 19, and they have remained partners since then. In 2005, Siffre and his husband, Peter, entered into a civil partnership in the UK, and they remained together until Lloyd’s death in 2013.
His late partner was the only love the singer has ever had. Currently, he has not been linked with anybody.
Siffre, unlike several other artists and celebrities, was never known or reported to be embroiled in any form of scandal whatsoever.
He never cheated on his partner of 49 years and neither was he known to be a drug or substance abuser. He was never on the wrong side of the law, nor did he court any controversy.
Many musicians all over the world get the inspiration for their songs from several sources – personal experiences or that of others, topical issues, genius creativity, etc. Siffre is no exception.
He revealed in an interview, that while watching a movie in South Africa, where a white soldier shot dead several black youths during the country’s apartheid regime, he got the inspiration to write one of his hit songs -”
Something Inside, So Strong”, which rose to #4 on the UK Singles chart in 1987. His experience as a homosexual youth turned adult, also served as inspiration while writing the song.
Siffre revealed in an interview he granted in 2014 that his mentor, revered author Arthur Ransome, taught him great lessons on morality and acceptance of responsibility. It helped him to shape his life and relationship with others, through his books and writings.
Labi Siffre has released a total of 10 studio albums to date, while also making several hit singles in the process.
From his very first self-titled album in 1970, he released 4 others more before 1975.
He took a break from music and resumed back in 1988, releasing the album So Strong and 3 others more by 1998.
It is on record that Siffre once denied legendary music producer and rapper, Dr. Dre, the rights to cover his song “I Got The…..”. Dre wanted to sample it on rapper Eminem’s song “My name is…”.
His grouse was that the explicit version of the song was disrespectful to homosexuals and women. And he also considers it “lazy writing”. But once they made the “clean” version of the song, he gave them his permission to use it.
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He has a net worth of $3 to $5 million. Though other sources are reporting figures that are significantly lower while others are guessing higher.
Siffre has enjoyed his own share of success over the years and has excelled in the field of poetry, writing, and music. He has been able to gather an impressive net worth over the years.
Siffre’s song “Something Inside, So Strong” was one of his hit songs that made it to the top of the UK single’s chart in 1987. The song won him the “Best Song Musically and Lyrically” at the Ivor Novella award in London.
A lot of organizations connect strongly with the song, such as Amnesty International. The organization has used this particular song in its media campaigns. Peugeot automobile also used the song for their advert of the brand’s 307 car.
The singer revealed his top 3 all-time musicians and bands as The Beatles, Glen Gould, and Charlie Parker. He further mentioned his best 3 composers as Beethoven, Stravinsky, Schönberg.
