Stanisland Magazine

Singer Labi Siffre sends legal notice to far-right influencer Tommy Robinson

Convicted far-right protester Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) has been sent a cease and desist letter by pop star Labi Siffre.

The order asks that the former English Defence League member stop using his song “Something Inside”, an anti-apartheid song on social media.

Theft of Music

80-year-old Labi Siffre is lauded for his body-of-work and is considered a veteran musician by the industry. He says it’s “absurd” that he is using his work.

In a rare interview, the artist spoke to The Guardian about the situation:

“They’re breaking all sorts of copyrights, the multi instrumentalist said. “Even in an era when theft is easier than it ever was, it’s still theft.”

When asked about the track’s inspiration, Siffre said: “I had just seen this documentary of white soldiers [in South Africa] shooting at black people in the street indiscriminately. I knew I wanted to write a song about apartheid.”