Tunde Baiyewu

Emmanuel Babatunde Baiyewu, (born 25 November 1965) is a British singer of Nigerian descent and is a member of the easy listening duo Lighthouse Family. In 2004 he embarked on a solo career, releasing the album Tunde, and in 2013 released his second album, Diamond in a Rock.[1][2]

Tunde Baiyewu
Background information
Birth nameEmmanuel Babatunde Baiyewu
Born (1965-11-25) 25 November 1965
London, England
OriginLondon
GenresPop, soul, easy listening
Occupation(s)Blogger, singer
Years active1993–present
LabelsPolydor (1993–2003)
RCA Records (2004–present)
Associated actsLighthouse Family

Career

Tunde Baiyewu was born in London, but moved to Nigeria at the age of five after the death of his father. 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 Northumbria University and was working at the same bar as Tunde – their partnership began and they formed Lighthouse Family.

In 2005, he appeared on the BBC Television one-off special, Strictly African Dancing. He came last, but he learned the Bata dance in the process.

On 12 November 2006, Baiyewu appeared in an ITV documentary called Faith in Music. This documentary charted his life and music, from his roots in Africa, through Lighthouse Family and into his current solo incarnation. It also showed him performing an acoustic set featuring tracks from his latest album.

In January 2007, Baiyewu held his first tour in over four years (the last time being with Lighthouse Family). He did four concerts from 13 to 16 January 2007 in Edinburgh, Manchester, Wolverhampton and London respectively. He combined his solo material with Lighthouse Family hits.

Baiyewu released his second solo album, Diamond In A Rock, in the UK on 4 March 2013.

Diamond In A Rock

In 2013 Baiyewu announced plans for a second solo album entitled Diamond In A Rock and first single from the album "Move" - both released on 4 March 2013.[3]

Baiyewu's second single is from the album Diamond In A Rock is the title track "Diamond In A Rock" and was released mid-April 2013 on iTunes. The single was released as an EP including the single track "Diamond In A Rock" (Radio Edit) and three previously unreleased tracks: "Home", "Tomorrow’s News" and "Speaking Voice".

In October 2013 Baiyewu joined M People as their support act during their "20th Anniversary Greatest Hits Tour".[4][5]

Personal life

Baiyewu is an alumnus of Northumbria University, having completed an Accountancy degree in 1994.[6]

In March 2007, Baiyewu married Tope Adeshina, a young Nigerian model, in Lagos, Nigeria. They live in the UK.[7]

His mother went on to marry former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo who, as both she and Baiyewu are, is of the Yoruba ethnic group.[8]

Discography

Singles
  • "Great Romantic" was released as the debut single from Tunde.
  • "Move" was released as the debut single from Diamond In A Rock.
  • "Diamond In A Rock" was released as the second single from Diamond In A Rock.

Albums
DateAlbumUK Chart StatisticsTracks

18 October 2004

Tunde

Peak Position: No. 32 UK Albums Chart[9]
  1. "Passing the Hours"
  2. "Great Romantic"
  3. "Letting Me Down Gently"
  4. "Miles Ahead of Me"
  5. "Anaesthetic"
  6. "I Have Never Walked Alone"
  7. "Our History"
  8. "Shouldn't Be Like This (According to Fairness)"
  9. "I Can't Make the World Disappear"
  10. "Cover Me"
  11. "Long Way Home" - UK Bonus Track

4 March 2013

Diamond In A Rock
  1. "Move"
  2. "Blissful In No Time"
  3. "Diamond In A Rock"
  4. "Effigy"
  5. "Awake"
  6. "Turn The Music On"
  7. "Fear And Fortune"
  8. "Words In My Mouth"
  9. "The Answer"
  10. "We’re All In This Together"

References
  1. Ogbu, Rachel (9 June 2017). "LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY LEAD SINGER NIGERIAN-BRITISH TUNDE BAIYEWU MAKES A RETURN". Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  2. Williams, Andrew (23 April 2013). "Tunde Baiyewu: I wanted to be an accountant. Then I met Paul Tucker and we started The Lighthouse Family". Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  3. Dean, Sarah. "MUSIC BOX: Will.i.am, Britney Spears Number 1, David Bowie At 6, Plus Paloma Faith And Modestep". The Huffington Post UK. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  4. "Gigs And Tours News". Gigs and Tours. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  5. Morris, Jennifer (2 October 2013). "M People and Lighthouse Family fusion in Guildford". getsurrey. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  6. "Famous Alumni". Northumbria University. Archived from the original on 18 September 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
  7. Ikeji, Linda (20 March 2007). "LIGHT HOUSE FAMILY'S TUNDE BAIYEWU WEDS. | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog". Lindaikeji.blogspot.com. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  8. "Relative Values: President Obasanjo and his stepson, Tunde Baiyewu". The Sunday Times. News Corporation. 24 October 2004. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
  9. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 568. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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