School of Music

Babatunde Akinboboye, a Nigerian American Baritone, is celebrated for his diverse talents, enthralling stage presence, and innovative approach. He has graced prestigious stages, including the Los Angeles Opera, Portland Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and Utah Opera. Babatunde's notable debuts include portraying Niimki in The Industry's world premiere production of Sweet Land and captivating audiences as Mattias Reyes in the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Central Park Five. Recent highlights feature his performances as Valentin in Detroit Opera's Faust and Escamillo in Pacific Opera Project’s Carmen.

Babatunde remains dedicated to promoting art song and operatic works by African and African American composers, headlining notable events such as the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry awards, where his fusion of opera and traditional African music mesmerized audiences. He has also been a featured performer at esteemed gatherings, including the National Association of Negro Musicians Annual Conference and the African American Art Song Alliance Conference, championing the diversity and richness of classical music.

Mr. Akinboboye's honors include being a Regional Finalist of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition and a finalist in the International Eisteddfod Vocal Solo Competition in Llangollen, Wales. In December 2018, Babatunde made waves with a viral video that garnered over 10 million views, introducing the world to his groundbreaking fusion genre of classical opera and hip-hop, Hip Hopera. This innovative work caught the attention of respected platforms such as Time.com, Classic FM, MSN.com, and more. In addition, Babatunde released the acclaimed EP Della Citta, expanding his influence and propelling him to social media stardom as “Babatunde_HipHopera." Embracing his role as an opera influencer, he consistently captivates audiences and enlightens listeners about the beauty and intricacies of the art form from his unique perspective.