Tunde Baiyewu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tunde Baiyewu
Baiyewu in 2020
Background information
Birth name	Emmanuel Babatunde Baiyewu
Born	(1968-11-25) 25 November 1968 (age 56) London, England
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Polydor (1993–2003) RCA (2004–present)

Tunde Baiyewu (born November 25, 1968) is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer of the popular music group Lighthouse Family. When the group took a break in 2003, Tunde started his own solo music career. He has released two solo albums, Tunde (2004) and Diamond in a Rock (2013).

Tunde's Early Life and Music Start

Tunde Baiyewu was born in London, England. His family came from Nigeria. When Tunde was five, his father passed away. After this, Tunde moved to Nigeria with his mother and younger sister. This helped them be closer to their relatives.

While in Nigeria, Tunde learned to speak the Yoruba language. He also went to a boarding school near Lagos, which was the capital city at the time. Ten years later, he returned to Britain. He studied accounting at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle upon Tyne.

It was in Newcastle that Tunde met Paul Tucker. Paul was also a university student and worked in local bars. Tunde and Paul became friends and decided to make music together. They formed the famous group called Lighthouse Family.

Lighthouse Family's Big Success

Lighthouse Family released their first album, Ocean Drive, in 1995. Their song "Lifted" became a huge hit. It reached the top five on the UK Singles Chart. The Ocean Drive album sold over 1.8 million copies in the UK. It stayed on the UK Albums Chart for 154 weeks!

Their next album, Postcards from Heaven, also sold very well. It reached six-times Platinum status. Their third album, Whatever Gets You Through the Day, also earned Platinum status. Overall, Lighthouse Family has sold more than fifteen million albums around the world.

Tunde's Solo Music Journey

In 2004, Tunde Baiyewu released his first solo album, simply called Tunde. He also appeared on a special TV show in 2005 called Strictly African Dancing. In 2006, he was featured in an ITV show called Faith in Music. This show shared his life story and his music journey.

In 2013, Tunde announced his second solo album, Diamond in a Rock. It was released on March 4, 2013, along with the song "Move". Later that year, Tunde joined the group M People as a special guest. He performed with them on their "20th Anniversary Greatest Hits Tour".

Lighthouse Family Reunion and New Music

In 2019, Lighthouse Family released a new album called Blue Sky in Your Head. This was their first new music in eighteen years! They also went on two sold-out tours across the UK. However, the group later decided to split up in July 2022.

Since 2020, Tunde Baiyewu has been working on new songs. He is inspired by the music of the 1970s. He is working with Mike Peden, who was also a producer for Lighthouse Family. Tunde is recording songs inspired by artists like Elton John, James Taylor, and Van Morrison.

Tunde's Family Life

After Tunde's father passed away, his mother later married Olusegun Obasanjo. Mr. Obasanjo was a former president of Nigeria. Tunde's mother passed away in 2000.

In March 2007, Tunde Baiyewu married Tope Adeshina. She is a model from Nigeria. They got married in Lagos, Nigeria, and now live in the UK.

Tunde's Music Albums

Albums with Lighthouse Family

Tunde's Solo Albums

See also

In Spanish: Tunde Baiyewu para niños