British musician and anti-apartheid activist Labi Siffre has launched a legal challenge against far-right figure Tommy Robinson after the controversial political activist used Siffre’s iconic song “(Something Inside) So Strong” at a recent rally in London. The dispute centers on Robinson’s “Unite The Kingdom” event, where former X-Factor contestant Charlie Heaney performed the anthem without authorization, prompting Siffre and his publisher BMG to issue a cease and desist order.
Written in 1987, Siffre’s powerful composition emerged as a direct response to televised violence during South Africa’s apartheid regime, specifically after he witnessed white soldiers firing on black civilians. The song, which earned Siffre the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for songwriting excellence, subsequently became an emblematic anthem for resistance against oppression and was reportedly among Nelson Mandela’s favorite musical works.
Siffre’s anthem, born from apartheid’s brutality, rose to symbolize resistance against oppression worldwide.
The legal confrontation has highlighted the jarring contradiction between the song’s origins and its appropriation by Robinson, who introduced the performance as representative of his movement’s narrative. In addition to the live performance, Robinson utilized the track in social media posts, compounding the copyright infringement in what legal experts describe as a straightforward case despite the digital age making unauthorized use more prevalent. Siffre’s publisher BMG, operating as a collecting society, has the authority to pursue compensation for the unauthorized public performance of the copyrighted work.
Siffre, in response to the unauthorized usage, pointed out the profound irony of his creation—crafted by a “positive atheist, homosexual black artist”—being co-opted by a movement frequently associated with homophobic and racist rhetoric. His public statements emphasized the ideological disconnect between his anti-racist message and Robinson’s political platform.
The controversy joins a growing list of disputes over politicians using copyrighted music without permission, sparking public debate about artistic intent versus political exploitation. Media coverage has characterized the situation as a surreal clash of values, with particular attention to how protest songs can be misappropriated beyond their intended context. Beyond copyright infringement, Siffre’s legal claims also include moral rights violations that prevent derogatory treatment of artistic works.
The rally that sparked this dispute drew an estimated 110,000 attendees according to organizers, creating a significant platform for the unauthorized use of Siffre’s anthem. This incident highlights the importance of sync deals for musicians seeking to control how their work is used in visual and public contexts.
The outcome of the legal proceedings remains pending, while raising broader questions about artistic control in politically charged environments.
