Labi Siffre – Biography, Songs and Net Worth Guide
Born in Hammersmith, London, on 25 June 1945, Claudius Afolabi “Labi” Siffre is a British singer-songwriter, poet, and activist whose quiet melodies have powered decades of popular music. An 80-year-old artist as of June 2026, he remains a figure of deep integrity, having navigated the music industry on his own terms.
His career, spanning original hits like “It Must Be Love” and “My Song,” has seen a remarkable second life through sampling by some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Yet, personal tragedy, long periods of silence, and a steadfast commitment to social justice have defined his path as much as his commercial success.
Siffre now lives a quiet life in Spain, where he rarely performs but has found a new audience through TikTok. His return to the studio in 2026 with a project titled “Unfinished Business” marks his first new music in nearly three decades.
What is Labi Siffre’s Background? Age, Net Worth, and Personal Life
- Labi Siffre came out as gay in the 1990s, which directly influenced the activist themes of his later work.
- His song “It Must Be Love” was famously covered by Madness and became a UK Top 10 hit in 1981.
- Kanye West sampled Siffre’s “My Song” on “I Wonder,” and Eminem used “I Got The…” on “My Name Is.”
- Siffre took a 12-year break from recording between 1975 and 1987 to focus on poetry and his personal life.
- A 2024 BBC performance marked a rare live appearance after decades spent largely off the stage.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Genres | Soul, Folk, Pop, R&B |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Number of Studio Albums | 10 (6 from 1970–1975, 4 from 1988–1998) |
| Notable Songs | It Must Be Love, My Song, I Got The…, The Vulture, Crying Laughing Loving Lying |
| Net Worth | Not publicly known |
| Current Residence | Spain (as of 2022) |
Age and Early Life
Siffre was born on 25 June 1945 to a Nigerian father and a mother of Belgian descent (though some sources list her as Barbadian). Before his music career took off, he worked as a jazz guitarist at Annie Ross’s Soho club, “Annie’s Room.”
Husband and Partners
Siffre met his life partner, Peter Lloyd, in July 1964. They were together for 48 years and entered a civil partnership in 2005. Peter died in 2013. In 1997, Siffre met his second husband, Ruud van Baardwijk; they lived together for 19 years until Ruud’s death in 2016.
Sources confirm that Siffre’s relationship with Peter Lloyd lasted 48 years, and his marriage to Ruud van Baardwijk spanned 19 years. Both partners predeceased him, leaving him a widower.
Net Worth
No reliable public source reports Siffre’s net worth. It is not disclosed in available biographies or financial records, and estimates circulating online remain unverified.
Discovering Labi Siffre’s Music: Songs, Albums, and Vinyl Releases
Major Hits and Their Stories
His most famous track, “It Must Be Love,” was released in 1971 and reached No. 14 on the UK charts. Madness took their cover to No. 4 a decade later. “(Something Inside) So Strong,” released in 1987, became an anti-apartheid anthem and peaked at No. 4 in the UK.
“I Got The…” (1975) is notable not only for its groove but for its history. Eminem sampled the track for “My Name Is” in 1999, but only after Siffre demanded the removal of lyrics that attacked women and gay people. “My Song,” meanwhile, was sampled by Kanye West for his track “I Wonder.”
When Eminem sought to sample “I Got The…,” Labi Siffre required that the hook be used only on the condition that the new lyrics did not contain homophobic or misogynistic content.
Vinyl Discography: A Complete List of Studio Albums
Siffre released 10 studio albums over three decades. His most prolific period was the 1970s, when he released six albums. After a 12-year hiatus, he returned with four more albums between 1988 and 1998.
| Year | Album Title | UK Chart |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Labi Siffre | — |
| 1971 | The Singer and the Song | 47 |
| 1972 | Crying Laughing Loving Lying | 46 |
| 1973 | For the Children | — |
| 1975 | Remember My Song | — |
| 1975 | Happy | — |
| 1988 | So Strong | — |
| 1991 | Man of Reason | — |
| 1998 | The Last Songs | — |
| 1998 | Monument (Spoken Word) | — |
A new album, “Unfinished Business,” was announced for 2026, marking his first release since 1998.
How to Pronounce Labi Siffre
His name is pronounced /ˈlæ.bi sɪfri/, which sounds like “LAB-ee SIF-ree.” The “a” in Labi is short, as in “lab,” and the final syllable is crisp.
Timeline of a Quiet Legend
- – Born in London.
- – Debut album Labi Siffre released.
- – Second album The Singer and The Song.
- – “It Must Be Love” released; later a hit for Madness in 1981.
- – Remember My Song and Crying Laughing Loving Lying albums; begins a hiatus.
- – Returns with the album So Strong.
- – Last studio album The Last Songs.
- – Increased recognition through sampling by Kanye West and Eminem.
- – Rare live performance with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
- – New album Unfinished Business announced.
What We Know and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Age and birth date are confirmed: 25 June 1945. | Net worth is not publicly disclosed; estimates vary widely and remain unverified. |
| His name is pronounced “LAB-ee SIF-ree.” | The exact birthplace of his mother (Belgium or Barbados) is disputed across sources. |
| He had two long-term partners: Peter Lloyd and Ruud van Baardwijk. | Whether he entered a legal marriage after the death of his first husband is not confirmed. |
| He lives in Spain as of 2022. | Full details of his new album “Unfinished Business” (track list, release date) are pending. |
The Meaning and Legacy of Labi Siffre’s Work
Labi Siffre’s musical style blends soul, folk, and pop with introspective, humanist lyrics. His work has been sampled extensively in hip-hop, effectively bridging the gap between a 1970s singer-songwriter and modern rap. He is also known for his poetic output, having published a collection of poems alongside his music.
Despite commercial peaks in the early 1970s, his influence grew significantly after 2000 through sampling culture. He is often cited as a musician of deep integrity, having walked away from the industry at its peak and returned only when he had something to say.
Sources and Quotes
“I think people are basically good.”
— Labi Siffre in a rare interview
“My Song is about the beauty of the human spirit.”
— BBC interview, 2024
Summary: The Quiet Composer Who Changed Music
Labi Siffre, the British singer and songwriter behind “It Must Be Love” and “My Song,” is an 80-year-old artist whose career has been marked by profound creative output, personal loss, and a principled stand against prejudice. After decades of silence, he returned to the stage in 2024 and is set to release his first album in 28 years by 2026. For more on artists with a similar legacy, read about Nat King Cole – Biography, Songs, Death and Legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Labi Siffre
What is Labi Siffre’s real name?
His full name is Claudius Labi Siffre.
Did Labi Siffre write “It Must Be Love”?
Yes, he wrote and originally released the song in 1971. Madness covered it in 1981.
Is Labi Siffre still alive?
Yes, as of 2025 he is alive and was seen in a 2024 BBC performance.
What is Labi Siffre’s most popular song?
“It Must Be Love” and “My Song” are his most streamed and recognized tracks.
Why did Labi Siffre stop making music?
He took a hiatus after 1975 to focus on poetry and personal life, returning in 1987.
How many albums did Labi Siffre release?
10 studio albums: 6 from 1970–1975 and 4 from 1988–1998.
What happened to Labi Siffre’s husbands?
His civil partner, Peter Lloyd, died in 2013 after 48 years together. His husband, Ruud van Baardwijk, died in 2016 after 19 years together.
Why did Labi Siffre demand changes from Eminem?
Siffre allowed the sample of “I Got The…” on the condition that the new lyrics contain no homophobic or misogynistic content.
Where does Labi Siffre live now?
He lives in Spain, as of 2022.
Is Labi Siffre’s new album coming out?
Yes, he announced a new album titled “Unfinished Business” in 2026, his first since 1998.
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