Roland Lee Gift (born 28 May 1961) is a British singer, songwriter, and actor. He is the former lead vocalist of the pop rock band Fine Young Cannibals and the ska band Akrylykz.
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Early life
Gift was born on 28 May 1961 in the Sparkhill district of Birmingham to an English mother and an Afro-Caribbean father. He lived in Sparkhill until the age of 11, receiving his early formal education at Anderton Park School and Arden Primary School.
Music career
Gift's first recording was as a saxophonist with Akrylykz, a ska band from Hull. The album was the second release on York's Red Rhino Records. Although this record was unsuccessful, it did bring him to the attention of Andy Cox and David Steele of the Beat. Akrylykz toured with the Beat.
