Tunde Adebimpe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tunde Adebimpe
Tunde Adebimpe performing with TV on the Radio in 2015
Background information
Birth name	Babatunde Omoroga Adebimpe
Born	(1975-02-25) February 25, 1975 (age 50) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Genres	Experimental rock indie rock
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter actor director animator visual artist
Instruments	Vocals keyboards loops percussion
Years active	1998–present

Babatunde Omoroga Adebimpe (born February 25, 1975) is an American artist who does many things! He is a singer, songwriter, actor, director, and visual artist. He is best known as a founding member and co-lead singer of the band TV on the Radio. This band is from Brooklyn, New York. They have released five studio albums.

As an actor, Tunde Adebimpe has appeared in several movies. These include Twisters, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Marriage Story, and Rachel Getting Married. He was also in the 2024 science fiction TV series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. He has used his voice for animated shows like Strange Planet, Lazor Wolf, and Tuca & Bertie.

Early Life and Family

Tunde Adebimpe was born in the United States. His parents were immigrants from Nigeria. His first name, Babatunde, is a Yoruba name. It means "father has returned."

He is married to a French cartoonist named Domitille Collardey. They have a son together. Tunde went to Shady Side Academy for high school. This school is in Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania. His father, who has passed away, was a psychiatrist in Pittsburgh.

Music Career

Adebimpe performing in 2009

TV on the Radio

Tunde Adebimpe is a key member of the band TV on the Radio. He is one of the main singers. The band is known for its unique sound, which mixes different styles of music.

Working with Other Musicians

Besides his work with TV on the Radio, Tunde Adebimpe often works with other musicians. He sometimes performs by himself too.

He sang backing vocals on the song "Dragon Queen." This song is from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' 2009 album, It's Blitz!. Another member of TV on the Radio, David Andrew Sitek, produced that album. Tunde also appeared on songs for Dragons of Zynth and Subtle.

In 2009, he worked with the group Massive Attack. He was featured on their song "Pray for Rain." In 2010, he sang on "Absence of Light." This was for his bandmate Dave Sitek's project, Maximum Balloon.

Tunde and other TV on the Radio members are on three songs from Tinariwen's album Tassili (2011). They also worked with Amadou & Mariam on their 2012 album Folila. This album even won a Grammy.

In 2012, Tunde started a new band called Higgins Waterproof Black Magic Band. They released their first EP in 2013. He also sang on the song "Bad Radio" for Leftfield's album in 2015.

He is part of a group called Nevermen. The other members are Mike Patton and Doseone. Their first album came out in 2016. In 2017, Tunde sang on "Thieves! (Screamed The Ghosts)" for Run The Jewels' album Run the Jewels 3.

Tunde Adebimpe also worked with Rockstar Games. He released a song called Speedline Miracle Masterpiece. This song was part of the Welcome to Los Santos soundtrack for the game Grand Theft Auto V.

In 2022, he covered a song by Sleater-Kinney for a tribute album. In October 2024, Tunde announced that he will release his first solo album in 2025.

Film and Television Career

Tunde Adebimpe has a long history in film and TV. In 1998, he was one of the first animators for MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch. This was a claymation show.

In 2001, he starred in an independent movie called Jump Tomorrow. He played the same character he had played in a short college film.

Tunde has also directed music videos. In 2003, he directed the video for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs song "Pin." In 2011, he directed a visual film for TV on the Radio's album Nine Types of Light. He also directed the video for their song "Forgotten."

In 2008, he appeared in the movie Rachel Getting Married. He played the groom in the film. He sang a song by Neil Young in the movie.

In 2013, Tunde directed and animated a music video for his band Higgins Waterproof Black Magic Band. He also acted in the movie Nasty Baby, which came out in 2015.

He made a short appearance as himself on the TV show Portlandia in 2014. In 2016, he voiced a character in an episode of Adventure Time.

In 2017, he was in the second season of The Girlfriend Experience. He played Mr. Cobbwell in the movie Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017).

In 2020, he had a small role as a street preacher in the HBO miniseries Perry Mason. Tunde Adebimpe was also cast in the 2024 TV show Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.

Visual Art

Before becoming a musician, Tunde Adebimpe was a cartoonist. He still enjoys designing, drawing, and painting. He has created the artwork for all of TV on the Radio's album covers. He also painted the cover for their 2013 song "Mercy."

In 2009, Tunde released his own art comic book called Plague Hero. This painted book showed a boxing match between two animal-like characters. Some copies of the book came with a DVD of his old song sketches and animations.

In 2017, Tunde Adebimpe presented a live art show called A Warm Weather Ghost. This show combined different types of art.

Filmography

Film

Television

Singles