Labi Siffre is a British singer, songwriter, poet, and activist whose quiet, introspective work has shaped decades of popular music. Born Claudius Afolabi “Labi” Siffre on 25 June 1945 in Hammersmith, London, he first gained attention in the early 1970s for a gentle folk-pop sound that belied a fierce personal and political conviction.
His career is marked by both critical respect and commercial rediscovery. While his own hits like “It Must Be Love” and “Crying Laughing Loving Lying” earned him a devoted following, his music found a massive new audience when it was sampled by hip-hop giants Eminem and Kanye West. An openly gay Black man who has spoken out against racism and homophobia throughout his life, Siffre’s personal journey is as compelling as his musical output. He currently resides in Spain.
Who Is Labi Siffre? A Biography of the British Singer, Songwriter and Poet
Quick Reference: Labi Siffre at a Glance
| Born | 25 June 1945, Hammersmith, London |
|---|---|
| Genres | Soul, Folk, Pop |
| Famous Songs | It Must Be Love, Crying Laughing Loving Lying, (Something Inside) So Strong |
| Partners | Peter Lloyd (1964–2013), Rudolf van Baardwijk (m. 2014–2016) |
Key Insights into Labi Siffre’s Life and Work
- He is a highly sampled artist, with his songs providing the foundation for hits by Kanye West (“I Wonder”) and Eminem (“My Name Is”).
- Siffre is openly gay and was part of a polyamorous relationship for nearly two decades.
- His name is often mispronounced; the correct pronunciation is LAB-ee SIF-ree.
- Despite releasing most of his major work in the 1970s, his music has experienced a significant vinyl revival among collectors and sample-hunters.
- He is also a published poet and has been a consistent activist against apartheid, racism, and homophobia.
Biographical Facts and Figures
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Claudius Afolabi “Labi” Siffre |
| Born | 25 June 1945, Hammersmith, London |
| Age | 81 years old (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | British (Black British) |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, poet, activist |
| Genres | Folk-pop, soul |
| Years Active | 1970–1975, 1988–1998 |
| Debut Album | Labi Siffre (1970) |
| Husband | Rudolf van Baardwijk (m. 2014; died 2016) |
| Long-term Partner | Peter Lloyd (1964–2013) |
| Pronunciation | /ˈlæ.bi sɪfri/ (LAB-ee SIF-ree) |
| Sexual Orientation | Gay |
What Are Labi Siffre’s Most Famous Songs and Albums?
The Hits That Defined an Era
His first major success came in 1971 with the single “It Must Be Love”, which reached No. 14 on the UK charts. The song was famously covered by the ska band Madness in 1981, introducing Siffre’s songwriting to a new generation. Another key track, “Crying Laughing Loving Lying,” was a hit in the 1970s and showcased his signature blend of introspective lyrics and melodic sophistication. In 1987, he released “(Something Inside) So Strong,” a powerful anti-apartheid anthem inspired by a television documentary, which became his highest-charting UK single at No. 4.
The Sampled Catalogue: From Siffre to Hip-Hop Royalty
Siffre’s music has been heavily sampled in hip-hop, often leading to his misidentification as an R&B artist despite his folk-pop roots. Eminem’s 1999 breakthrough single “My Name Is” uses the rhythm and instrumental from Siffre’s 1975 song “I Got The…”. Siffre initially refused permission to Dr. Dre until lyrics attacking women and gay people were removed, calling the original lyrics “lazy songwriting.” Years later, Kanye West’s 2007 track “I Wonder” featured a prominent sample of Siffre’s “My Song”, exposing his work to a massive global audience.
Original 1970s pressings of albums like Labi Siffre and Remember My Song are highly sought after by vinyl collectors. The track “The Vulture” from Remember My Song is a particular favorite among rare-groove DJs and can command high prices on resale markets. A new 3CD set, Introducing Labi Siffre 1970–1971, was recently released.
Albums and Discography
Labi Siffre released a total of 10 albums during his career. He released six albums between 1970 and 1975, including The Singer And The Song, Crying Laughing Loving Lying, and For The Children. After a prolonged hiatus, he returned with four more albums between 1988 and 1998, with his final studio album being The Last Songs. As of 2025, there is no confirmed new album, but his social media presence suggests a celebration of his catalog through reissues.
Who Is Labi Siffre’s Husband? A Look at His Personal Life
Labi Siffre’s personal life is notable for its honesty and depth. He was not married to a single husband in the traditional sense but had two significant life partners whom he loved openly.
Peter Lloyd
Siffre met Peter Lloyd in July 1964 when he was 19 years old. They remained together for 48 years until Lloyd’s death in 2013. The couple entered into a civil partnership in 2005 as soon as it became legal in the United Kingdom.
Rudolf van Baardwijk
Siffre met Rudolf van Baardwijk (also known as Ruud) in the mid-1990s, with one account placing the meeting in 1997. For many years, Siffre lived with both Lloyd and van Baardwijk in a polyamorous relationship. After Lloyd’s death, Siffre and van Baardwijk married in December 2014. Van Baardwijk died in 2016, after 19 years together.
Labi Siffre has spoken openly about living with both Peter Lloyd and Rudolf van Baardwijk in a polyamorous relationship from the mid-1990s until Lloyd’s death in 2013. He has described the arrangement as one built on honesty and love.
What Is Labi Siffre’s Net Worth?
There is no publicly available data regarding Labi Siffre’s specific net worth. While his songs have generated significant revenue through high-profile samples by Eminem and Kanye West, as well as through the continued popularity of his own recordings, Siffre has not disclosed his earnings, and no financial estimates appear in credible biographical sources.
Labi Siffre’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. Any figures found online are speculative estimates, not facts. No official financial records or verified estimates exist in biographical sources.
A Timeline of Labi Siffre’s Life and Career
- 1945: Born on 25 June in Hammersmith, London.
- 1970: Released his self-titled debut album Labi Siffre.
- 1971: Released the hit single “It Must Be Love” and the album The Singer and the Song.
- 1975: Took a break from the music industry after releasing Remember My Song.
- 1987: Released the anti-apartheid anthem “(Something Inside) So Strong,” which became his biggest solo hit.
- 1990s-2000s: His songs gained a massive new audience through high-profile samples by Eminem (“My Name Is”) and Kanye West (“I Wonder”).
- 2025: Vinyl reissues and a 3CD set drive renewed interest in his catalog.
What Is Known and Unknown About Labi Siffre?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Labi Siffre was born on 25 June 1945 in Hammersmith, London. | His exact net worth is not publicly available and cannot be verified. |
| He is a British singer, songwriter, and poet. | Whether he plans to release new music in the future is not confirmed. |
| He is gay and was in a long-term polyamorous relationship. | Speculative net worth estimates found online should be treated with caution. |
| ‘It Must Be Love’ was famously covered by Madness in 1981. | |
| His music has been sampled by Kanye West and Eminem. |
Why Labi Siffre Matters: Legacy, Samples, and Representation
Siffre’s work bridged the worlds of soul, folk, and pop in the 1970s UK scene, creating a sound that was entirely his own. At a time when few Black British artists were open about their sexuality, Siffre lived and worked with remarkable honesty, publicly identifying as gay and addressing racism and homophobia in his lyrics and interviews. His keen observations of society have been compared to other great British wordsmiths like Noël Coward – Biography, Cause of Death, and Lasting Legacy.
His legacy was cemented by the use of his songs in modern hip-hop. The Madness cover of “It Must Be Love” made him a household name in the UK, while the sampling of his work by artists like Kanye West introduced his poignant songwriting to a global audience decades after his initial retirement. His vinyl albums are collectible due to limited pressings and high demand from sample-hunting producers and DJs.
What the Sources Say About Labi Siffre
Siffre released six albums from 1970 to 1975 and four from 1988 to 1998.
— Wikipedia
Siffre’s music has been heavily sampled in hip-hop, leading to frequent misidentification as an R&B artist despite his folk-pop roots.
— Queer Portraits
The Lasting Impact of Labi Siffre
Labi Siffre remains a singular and influential figure in British music. His influence as a sampled artist, a poet, and an advocate for LGBTQ+ representation and racial equality ensures his legacy continues to grow. As of 2025, fans can explore his catalog through reissues and streaming platforms, though no new music has been confirmed. For those interested in the careers of other introspective singer-songwriters, exploring Joni Mitchell – Life, Family, and Net Worth provides a fascinating contrast and parallel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Labi Siffre
How do you pronounce Labi Siffre?
His name is pronounced LAB-ee SIF-ree (/ˈlæ.bi sɪfri/).
Is Labi Siffre still alive?
Yes. As of 2026, Labi Siffre is 81 years old and alive, residing in Spain.
What is Labi Siffre’s most famous song?
He is best known for “It Must Be Love,” which was famously covered by Madness, and his anti-apartheid anthem “(Something Inside) So Strong.”
Are Labi Siffre’s original vinyl albums valuable?
Yes. Original 1970s pressings of his early albums, particularly Labi Siffre and Remember My Song, are highly sought after by collectors and can fetch high prices.
Did Labi Siffre write “It Must Be Love”?
Yes, Labi Siffre wrote and originally performed “It Must Be Love” in 1971. Madness covered the song in 1981.
What does the song “My Song” mean?
“My Song” is a reflective piece about identity and staying true to oneself, which fits seamlessly into Siffre’s introspective and honest songwriting style.
Was Labi Siffre married to a man?
Yes, he was married to Rudolf van Baardwijk from 2014 until van Baardwijk’s death in 2016. He was also in a civil partnership with Peter Lloyd from 2005 until Lloyd’s death in 2013.
How old is Labi Siffre?
Born on 25 June 1945, Labi Siffre is 81 years old as of 2026.
Amelia Foster is Business & Economy Correspondent at TheUKDaily.uk, covering the UK economy, markets, employment, household costs and consumer finance.