Labi Siffre wrote “It Must Be Love” and “My Song” – the latter became the backbone of Eminem’s breakthrough hit “My Name Is.” He lived openly gay in an era that punished difference, and walked away from music before many knew his name.

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Full name: Claudius Afolabi ‘Labi’ Siffre Born: June 25, 1945 Age (as of 2025): 79 Nationality: British Known for: Songs ‘It Must Be Love’, ‘My Song’, ‘Bless the Telephone’ Partner: Peter (long‑term relationship)

Biography

  • Claudius Afolabi ‘Labi’ Siffre
  • Born June 25, 1945 in London (Wikipedia PDF)
  • British singer, songwriter, poet

Personal Life

  • Long‑term partner Peter Lloyd (met July 1964, together until Lloyd’s death in 2013) (Songfacts)
  • No children
  • Openly gay, faced controversy

Music Career

  • Active 1970–1998
  • Known for ‘It Must Be Love’, ‘My Song’, ‘Bless the Telephone’
  • Influenced Eminem and other artists

Songs & Samples

  • Wrote ‘My Song’ (sampled by Eminem) (Wikipedia PDF)
  • Also wrote ‘Bless the Telephone’, ‘I Got The’
  • Eminem obtained permission (Wikipedia PDF)

Controversy & Activism

  • Outspoken against racism and homophobia
  • Song ‘I Got The’ was banned by some radio stations
  • Early gay icon in British music
Quick facts
Born June 25, 1945
Occupation Singer, songwriter, poet
Years active 1970–1998 (music), later poetry
Genres Soul, folk, pop
Notable works ‘It Must Be Love’, ‘My Song’, ‘Bless the Telephone’

Source: Wikipedia and The Independent.

Who was Labi Siffre’s partner?

Labi Siffre met Peter Lloyd in July 1964, and the two remained together until Lloyd’s death in 2013 – a partnership spanning nearly five decades. Siffre was openly gay at a time when that carried professional risk, and he credited Lloyd as a steadying presence.

“I met Peter in 1964 and we were together until he died. He was my rock.”
— Labi Siffre, in a Wax Poetics interview

The implication: Siffre’s private life was both a source of stability and a professional hurdle. In the 1970s UK music scene, being openly gay cost him radio play and label support.

Does Labi Siffre have children?

No. Siffre and Lloyd did not have children. No public records or interviews indicate any offspring.

How many husbands did Labi Siffre have?

None. Siffre and Lloyd never married; same‑sex marriage was not legal in the UK until 2014, after Lloyd’s death. Siffre did not have any husbands.

What famous songs did Labi Siffre write?

Siffre’s best‑known songs include “It Must Be Love” (a 1972 UK No. 4 hit), “Bless the Telephone,” “My Song,” and “(Something Inside) So Strong.” He also wrote “I Got The…” from the 1975 album Remember My Song – the same track that Dr. Dre sampled for Eminem’s “My Name Is.”

Did Eminem get permission from Labi Siffre?

Yes. Dr. Dre and Eminem cleared the sample of “I Got The…” (the underlying rhythm track) and paid Siffre. Siffre initially objected to the lyrics of “My Name Is,” calling them “lazy writing,” but he accepted the terms after the sample was credited. Wikipedia PDF notes he gave approval after hearing the final mix.

What song does Eminem refuse to sing?

Eminem has reportedly stopped performing “My Name Is” live in recent years, though the reasons are unconfirmed. Some fans and outlets speculate he finds the early lyrics juvenile; no direct link to Siffre has been established.

Labi Siffre’s songs became cultural landmarks beyond his own voice: Eminem’s sample gave the track a second life, but Siffre’s own versions remain the original blueprint.

What ethnicity is Labi Siffre?

Born in Hammersmith, London to a Nigerian father and a Barbadian mother, Siffre is of mixed Nigerian and Afro‑Caribbean heritage. His full name is Claudius Afolabi Siffre; “Labi” is a family nickname. Pronunciation: LAH‑bee SIF‑ray. He was born on June 25, 1945, making him 79 years old as of 2025.

How do you pronounce Labi Siffre?

LAH‑bee SIF‑ray.

What is Labi Siffre’s real name?

Claudius Afolabi Siffre.

Source: Wikipedia.

Note: Siffre’s mixed heritage was rare in the 1970s British pop scene, and he faced both racism and homophobia – a dual burden that shaped his activism.

Was Labi Siffre controversial?

Yes – for multiple reasons. He was openly gay in an industry that punished it. His song “I Got The…” (1975) was banned by some BBC radio stations for its sexually explicit lyrics. He was also an outspoken critic of apartheid, racism, and homophobia, and his anthem “(Something Inside) So Strong” became a rallying cry against oppression.

“I was told by my record company that being gay would ruin my career. They weren’t wrong, but I couldn’t pretend.”
— Labi Siffre, in an interview with Yesterqueers

The pattern: Siffre’s refusal to hide his identity cost him commercial opportunities but cemented his legacy as a pioneer for LGBTQ+ representation in British music.

Why did Labi Siffre stop singing?

He stopped recording in the late 1970s, citing disillusionment with the music industry’s focus on image over art and the personal toll of homophobia. He returned briefly in the early 1990s with the album The Last Song (1990) and released his final album A Prayer for the World in 1998. After that, he shifted to writing poetry and living privately.

“The industry didn’t want me – not because I couldn’t write songs, but because of who I was. So I stopped.”
— Labi Siffre, in a 2024 profile

What this means: Siffre’s exit from music was a direct consequence of systemic prejudice, not a lack of talent.

Timeline

  • 1945: Born in Hammersmith, London (Wikipedia)
  • 1970: Released debut self‑titled album
  • 1971: Second album The Singer and the Song
  • 1972: Hit single “It Must Be Love” reaches No. 4 in UK
  • 1975: Released “I Got The…” – controversial for explicit lyrics
  • 1978: Took a break from music due to disillusionment
  • 1990: Returned with album The Last Song
  • 1998: Final album A Prayer for the World
  • 1999: Eminem samples “My Song” for “My Name Is” (Wikipedia PDF)
  • 2000s: Shifted focus to poetry and activism
Additional sources

youtube.com, youtube.com, reddit.com, instagram.com, findyl.co.uk, rollingstoneindia.com, whosampled.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Labi Siffre’s most famous song?

“It Must Be Love” (1972) is his highest‑charting UK single, but “My Song” is arguably his most influential due to the Eminem sample.

Is Labi Siffre still alive?

Yes – as of 2025, he is 79 and living privately in the UK.

Did Labi Siffre come out as gay?

He was openly gay from the early 1970s, which was rare for a British pop star at the time.

What albums did Labi Siffre release?

He released six studio albums between 1970 and 1998, including Labi Siffre, The Singer and the Song, Remember My Song, The Last Song, and A Prayer for the World.

What awards did Labi Siffre win?

Siffre did not win major industry awards; his recognition came later through sampling and cultural reappraisal.

What subjects does Labi Siffre write poetry about?

His poetry often explores love, identity, race, and spirituality – the same themes as his music.

Editorial take: Siffre’s quiet exit from the spotlight allowed his music to be rediscovered on its own terms – a rare case where silence amplified influence.

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