Wondering why Labi Siffre is not better known

[Lapsidasicle]

About 10 years ago I discovered Labi Siffre and his music really moves me. I’m in my late 30s and had never heard of him. He’s now one of my favourite artists of all time.

I’m just baffled as to why so few people have heard of him and he never had a top selling record? Was he really well known in the 80s and just faded away? He has written some amazing music and lyrics- and he was also a great performer with a fabulous voice. His songs have also been sampled loads by modern artists.

I’m wondering whether the lack of commercial success was due to racism / homophobia as he was black and openly gay. Or perhaps because he was a black folk singer, maybe unusual?

He’s a truly talented man and needs to be more celebrated! I‘be been looking for recorded interviews or documentaries about him. But mainly found recordings of performances from the 80s.

I love .... Watch Me, I Got the, Must be Love, Crying Laughing Loving, Something inside so strong (probably the best known).

Perhaps other people just think his songs are ‘meh’ but honestly think ‘I got the’ is such a phenomenal song.

yes I remember from the 80's but it wasn't anything big back then really

competition was quite high and musical success seemed to be more based on looksand image.....Duran Duran etc

He's very well known

He was very popular back when I was young (and this were all fields). As were plenty of other black artists. But he must be a good age now surely? I doubt it was anything to do with racism tbh.

I think he was well known, but perhaps he simply isn't one of those artists with enduring appeal. I didn't and don't enjoy his music - 'Something Inside So Strong' has me switching station immediately.

I think he's one of those artists that's really talented and influential but a bit behind the scenes. So for instance Eminem sampled the baseline from "I got the" and had a massive hit and Madness had a big hit with "It must be love", but a lot of people don't know who he is. Being African British and gay might have affected his popularity.

He’s very well known! Maybe not for your age range but definitely mine! 😊

Interesting to hear that he was well known in the 80s! I guess he didn’t have the whole package to make him a star. Others have had more success with his music, as someone else pointed out above.

I love all kinds of music but his just really touches my soul!

*that should say an enduring star

I'm 70 now, and I've loved him since I first heard him, 40 odd years ago. I was talking to a friend about his music ( much younger than me) and she said she didn't know him.

As soon as I said "the higher you build your barriers" she replied "The taller I become".

She did know his work, his name just wasn't familiar.

So ... The further you take my rights away, the faster I will run ...

He's very well known - to people older than you OP

Ooh, he lives near me! He's really well known for his music, I grew up with it.

Labi Siffre was very well known, he was one of my favourite artists, he had lots of success & released many albums. I’m not sure why you think he didn’t have a successful career.

He’s just a fabulous lyricist isn’t he @user1471453601 really talented. I’ve had a similar reaction among my peers, aware of his work but not him. I just think that’s a bit sad, but I’m sure he’s been paid very well from all the samples and covers..., without any of the crap that comes with fame.

@Lordamighty just thinking he didn’t have many top 10s and no number 1s ... and no one I know who is into music, aged 30s/early 40s knows who he is. Only my dad knew him (late 60s).

Yes must be a generational divide.

I know his work.

@ahoyshipmates yes clearly that’s the case!

I wonder what who be the equivalent for the 90s and if twenty somethings would not know them... and I’d be just as surprised

Harry Connick Jr?

I've been a fan sine the 70s (I bought his first album when it came out). Nice to know he's still being appreciated.

@Lapsidasicle

He’s just a fabulous lyricist isn’t he *@user1471453601* really talented. I’ve had a similar reaction among my peers, aware of his work but not him. I just think that’s a bit sad, but I’m sure he’s been paid very well from all the samples and covers..., without any of the crap that comes with fame.

One of my absolute favourite songs ❤️ An obvious choice maybe but I just love it!

@ahoyshipmates gosh I couldn’t name one of his songs! I know who he is but wouldn’t say he was a big star at the time (but i was a child/ teen in 90s).

On a separate note, I clearly should have added “to under 40s” at the end of the thread title!

I think he retired at some point, maybe late 70’s, then came back with Something So Strong. I seem to recall that he wrote that song but didn’t intend to perform it himself but then decided that he was probably best placed to do it justice. I have memories of hearing him say that in an interview.

@LubaLuca

I think he was well known, but perhaps he simply isn't one of those artists with enduring appeal. I didn't and don't enjoy his music - 'Something Inside So Strong' has me switching station immediately.

Omg seriously? That's one of my favourite songs of all time!!

I remember him very well indeed. He was quite a big star; It Must be Love and Something Inside (So Strong) were hits and he wrote quite a lot of songs, poetry, essays and, I think, a play. A very talented man and well educated. He must be getting on a bit now.

@user1471453601

I'm 70 now, and I've loved him since I first heard him, 40 odd years ago. I was talking to a friend about his music ( much younger than me) and she said she didn't know him.

As soon as I said "the higher you build your barriers" she replied "The taller I become".

She did know his work, his name just wasn't familiar.

So ... The further you take my rights away, the faster I will run ...

Oh it is just fabulous to read someone posting these words.