Tunde Baiyewu (born Babatunde Emmanuel Baiyewu, 25 November 1968) is a British singer-songwriter of Nigerian descent and is a member of the multi-platinum selling, Lighthouse Family.
Tune in to CapeTalk on Thursday night (19th December) just past 9pm to hear about this extraordinary talent.
This was the previous chat we had
Tunde was born in London, but moved to Nigeria at the age of five. Ten years later he returned to Britain, attending the University of Northumbria in Newcastle upon Tyne, and obtained a degree in accounting.
He subsequently met Paul Tucker who was also studying at university in Newcastle and also working in the bar scene – their partnership began and they formed Lighthouse Family.
The duo released their debut album ‘Ocean Drive’, with the lead single Lifted reaching the top five on the UK Singles Chart.
‘Ocean Drive’ was certified six-times platinum by the end of 1997, selling more than 1.8 million copies in the UK alone and spending 154 weeks on the UK Album Chart.
Lighthouse Family’s follow-up albums, ‘Postcards from Heaven’ achieved similar status in 1997, reaching 6 times Platinum status, and ‘Whatever Gets You Through the Day’ also receiving Platinum status.
They subsequently sold over 15 million albums throughout their career.
Now Tunde is doing this work
Give this album a listen: Tunde & The Troubadours, Ep. 1
Having recorded a collection of songs, written by 70s singer-songwriters, in
Williamsburg, New York, Tunde then invited various singers and musicians
from around the continent of Africa to add their own unique flavour to them.
This collective of troubadours have brought new life to many classic songs.
In Tunde’s own words:
“Growing up listening to African and western singers/songwriters, it’s always been my dream to matchmake these two worlds. I believe there are no shortages of candidates. I also believe meaningful relationships of this kind can naturally cross boundaries and blend cultures. That said, it has been my
experience that finding suitable partners for such a coupling is a process best left to the natural selection and timing of life itself.
It’s no secret that the continent of Africa is bursting at the seams with naturally gifted artists, who not only have something to say through their art but also want and deserve to be heard.
Some already have a sizeable following and are known within the continent, as well as in diaspora, but many more are yet to be discovered. The driving force behind Tunde & The Troubadours is for the
unknown to become known. For the unheard to become heard. And for the undiscovered to become discovered.
This project has been several years in the making and is an on-going evolving process as the more his fellow African collaborators hear the music and Tunde’s distinct vocal style, the more they are drawn to adding their own take and artistry to it all.
www.instagram.com/tundebaiyewuofficial
www.youtube.com/user/TundeBaiyewu
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