roland gift

Roland Gift is a musician best known for his work with the pop group The Fine Young Cannibals, who had a number of top 20 hits throughout the 1980s. Alongside being famous for his music, in recent years, Gift has become known for his roles in film and television, whilst also writing numerous plays.

Moving to Hull in the 1970s, Roland Gift was seen as the city’s ‘first black punk’ and was known for his iconic bleached hair around the city, becoming a staple of the burgeoning music scene in Hull. Whilst studying at the college of art, Gift founded the ska outfit akrylykz, who enjoyed some success in the late 70s supporting bands such as the Mekons and even on one occasion, the Clash.

Recognition finally came when Gift was selected as lead singer of the pop group Fine Young Cannibals, a group who went on to have international success and emerge as one of the seminal bands of the 1980s pop boom. Gift also represented an important watershed in music history, becoming one of the first black frontmen to achieve success, opening gates for musicians since. Roland Gift represents both the diverse history of Hull, whilst also celebrating the city’s strong musical heritage and continuing to perform as strongly as he did in the 1980s.