Emmanuel Babatunde Baiyewu, better known as Tunde, is a British singer and songwriter of Nigerian descent whose voice became synonymous with one of the most successful British soul pop acts of the 1990s. Best known as the former lead singer and principal songwriter of Lighthouse Family, Tunde’s warm, emotive vocals helped define an era of melodic, uplifting pop music that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Born in London to a Nigerian family and spending part of his early life in Lagos, Tunde later returned to the UK and studied accounting at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was there that he met Paul Tucker, with whom he formed Lighthouse Family. The duo were signed in 1993 to Polydor Records following a development deal, and their debut album 'Ocean Drive' was released in 1995. Driven by the hit single Lifted, the album became a major success, spending 154 weeks on the UK Albums Chart and achieving six-times Platinum status.
Lighthouse Family went on to release 'Postcards From Heaven' in 1997, which also reached six times platinum, followed by 'Whatever Gets You Through The Day' in 2001, achieving Platinum status. Across their career, the band sold over fifteen million albums worldwide, cementing their place in British music history. In 2004, Tunde embarked on a solo career, releasing his self-titled debut album, followed by 'Diamond In A Rock' in 2013. Alongside his solo work, he has remained active on the live circuit, including supporting M People on their 20th anniversary tour.
In 2019, Lighthouse Family reunited to release the album 'Blue Sky In Your Head', supported by two sell-out UK tours. Since 2020, Tunde has been working on new recordings, drawing inspiration from classic troubadour songwriters. In 2025, he toured nationally with Gabrielle, performing at major arenas including London’s O2 Arena, Manchester’s AO Arena and Dublin’s 3Arena. With a career spanning chart-topping success, acclaimed solo work and enduring live appeal, Tunde remains a powerful and relevant voice in British soul pop.
