Sade was born inIbadan,British Nigeria, and was brought up in England from the age of four. She studied atSaint Martin's School of Art in London and gained modest recognition as a fashion designer and part-time model before joining the band Pride in the early 1980s. After gaining attention as a performer, she formed the band Sade, and secured a recording contract withEpic Records in 1983. A year later, the band released the albumDiamond Life, which became one of the era's best-selling albums and the best-selling debut by a British female vocalist.
In July 1985, Sade was among the performers at theLive Aid charity concert atWembley Stadium and in November the band released their second album,Promise. The next year, she appeared in the filmAbsolute Beginners. The band released their third album (Stronger Than Pride) in 1988, and a fourth album (Love Deluxe) in 1992. The band went on hiatus in 1996 after the birth of Sade's child.
Helen Folasade Adu was born on 16 January 1959 inIbadan,Oyo State, Nigeria.[15] Hermiddle name, Folasade, means "crowned with wealth" inYoruba.[16] Her parents are Adebisi Adu, aNigerian lecturer in economics ofYoruba background, from Ikere-Ekiti and Anne Hayes, anEnglish district nurse; they met in London, married in 1955, and moved to Nigeria.[15] Sade was four years old when her parents separated. Hayes returned to England with Sade and her elder brother, Banji, to live with their maternal grandparents nearColchester, Essex.[17] At age 11, Sade moved toHolland-on-Sea, Essex with her mother and brother.[18] After completing her education atClacton County High School andColchester Institute at the age of 18, she moved to London and studied fashion design atSaint Martin's School of Art.[15][17][19]
After completing a three-year course in fashion design, and later modelling briefly, Sade began backup singing with British band Pride. During this time, she formed a songwriting partnership with Pride's guitarist/saxophonistStuart Matthewman; together, backed by Pride's rhythm section, they began doing their own sets at Pride gigs.[20] Her solo performances of the song "Smooth Operator", co-written withRay St. John, attracted record companies' attention, and in 1983 Sade and Matthewman split from Pride, along with keyboardist Andrew Hale, bassistPaul Denman, and drummer Paul Cook, to form the band Sade.[15][20] By the time she performed her first show at London'sHeaven nightclub, she had become so popular that 1,000 people were turned away at the door. In May 1983, Sade performed her first US show at New York City'sDanceteria nightclub. On 18 October 1983, Sade Adu signed with Epic Records. The rest of the band signed in 1984.[21]
Following the record deal, the group began recording their debut album,Diamond Life, which took six weeks to record and was recorded entirely at The Power Plant in London.[22]Diamond Life was released on 16 July 1984, reached number two in theUK Album Chart, sold over 1.2 million copies in the UK, and won theBrit Award for Best British Albumin 1985.[23] The album was also a hit internationally, reaching number one in several countries and the top ten in the US, where it sold in excess of four million copies.Diamond Life had international sales of over six million copies, becoming one of the top-selling debut recordings of the '80s, and the best-selling debut ever by a British female vocalist.[20]
"Your Love Is King" was released as the album's lead single on 25 February 1984 and was a success in European territories, charting at number seven in Ireland and number six on theUK Singles Chart.[24][25] The song was less successful in the US, where it peaked at number 54 on the USBillboard Hot 100.[26] The third single, "Smooth Operator", was released on 15 September 1984 and became the most successful song in the US from the albumDiamond Life. The track peaked at number five on the USBillboard Hot 100 and the USBillboardHot Black Singles, as well as peaking at number one on the USBillboardAdult Contemporary chart.[27] In Europe the song fared well, peaking at number 19 in the UK,[28] and reaching the top 20 inAustria, Switzerland, France, and Germany.[29]
In late 1985, the band released their second album,Promise, which peaked at number one in both the UK and the US[30][31] and became the band's first album to reach number one on the USBillboard 200. The album topped the chart in 1986 and spent two weeks at the peak position.[32] Eventually, the album went on to sell four million copies in the region and was certified four times platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[33] The album spawned two singles "Never as Good as the First Time" and "The Sweetest Taboo," the latter of which was released as the album's lead single and stayed on the US Hot 100 for six months.[34] "The Sweetest Taboo" peaked at number five on the USBillboard Hot 100, number one on the US adult Contemporary chart, and number three on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.[35] Sade was so popular that some radio stations reinstated the '70s practice of playing album tracks, adding "Is It a Crime" and "Tar Baby" to their playlists.[34] The following year, 1986, the band won aGrammy Award forBest New Artist.[36]
In 1986, Sade made her acting debut inAbsolute Beginners, a film adapted from theColin MacInnes book of thesame name about life in late-1950sLondon. Sade played the role of Athene Duncannon and lent her vocals to the film's accompanying soundtrack.[37] The film was screened out of competition at the1986 Cannes Film Festival and grossed £1.8 million in the UK.[38]Sade's third album,Stronger Than Pride, was released on 3 May 1988, and like Sade's previous album became a commercial success and certified three times platinum in the US.[33] The album was popularized by four singles, most notably the album's second single "Paradise", which peaked at number 16 on the USBillboard Hot 100 and peaked at number one on the USBillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming the band's first single to do so.[39]
Love Deluxe was released as the band's fourth studio album on 26 October 1992. The album peaked at number three on the USBillboard 200[40] and has sold 3.4 million copies in the United States.[41] The album was later certified four times platinum by the RIAA for shipments of four million copies.[42] The album was also commercially successful elsewhere, reaching number one in France,[43] and reaching the top ten in New Zealand,[44] Sweden,[45] Switzerland,[46] and the UK.[47] The album went on to be certified gold in the United Kingdom. In November 1994, the group released their first compilation album,The Best of Sade. The album was another top ten hit in both the United Kingdom and the United States,[48] certified platinum and four times platinum, respectively.[49]The compilation album included material from Sade's previous albums, as well as acover version of "Please Send Me Someone to Love" (1950), originally byPercy Mayfield.[50]
To promote the album, Sade and the band embarked on their fifth concert tour entitledLovers Rock Tour. The tour was announced via the band's website in April 2001.[56] The announcement stated the tour would begin in the summer of 2001 with 30 shows. Initial dates were rescheduled due to extended rehearsal time. The shows sold well, with many stops adding additional shows. In August 2001, the tour was extended by eight weeks due to ticket demand.[57] Deemed by many critics as a comeback tour, it marked the band's first performances since 1994 and took place in 2001. Although many believed the trek would expand to other countries, this did not occur. With over 40 shows, it became the 13th biggest tour in North America, earning over $26 million.[58]
Following the tour, the band released their firstlive album,Lovers Live on 5 February 2002 byEpic Records.Lovers Live reached number ten on the USBillboard 200 and number 51 on theUK Albums Chart, the band's first album to miss the top twenty in the UK. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on 7 March 2002, having reached US sales of 562,000 copies,[59] while the DVD was certified platinum on 30 January 2003 for shipping 100,000 copies.
Following the release ofLovers Rock, Sade took a ten-year hiatus, during which she raised her child and moved to the Caribbean. During this time, she made a rare public appearance for an award ceremony that took place in 2002 to accept anOrder of the British Empire (OBE) atBuckingham Palace for services to music.[60] In 2002, she appeared on theRed Hot Organization album,Red Hot + Riot, a compilation CD in tribute to the music of fellow Nigerian musician,Fela Kuti. She recorded a remix of her hit single "By Your Side" for the album and was billed as a co-producer.
The band's sixth studio album,Soldier of Love, was released worldwide on 8 February 2010, and was their first album in ten years to contain new material.[17] Upon release, the album received positive reviews and became a success.[61] The album debuted atop theBillboard 200 in the United States with first-week sales of 502,000 copies.Soldier of Love became the band's first album to debut at number one and the band's second album to peak at number one on the chart. The album also had the best sales week by a group since Australian bandAC/DC released their albumBlack Ice and entered theBillboard 200 at number one in November 2008.[32] Consequently, the band became the act with the longest time between number-one albums, as the band'sPromise (1985) andSoldier of Love were separated by 24 years, 10 months and 2 weeks.[62]
In April 2011, the band began theirSade Live tour (also known as the "Once in a Lifetime Tour" or the "Soldier of Love Tour").[69] The band toured Europe, the Americas, Australia and Asia to promote the band's sixth studio album and their secondcompilation album,The Ultimate Collection (2011). This trek marked the band's first tour in nearly a decade[70] and ranked 27th inPollstar's "Top 50 Worldwide Tour (Mid-Year)", earning over 20 million dollars.[71] At the conclusion of 2011, the tour placed tenth onBillboard's annual "Top 25 Tours", earning over $50 million with 59 shows.[72] The tour was chronicled withBring Me Home - Live 2011, released in May 2012.
In March 2018, she (and the reunitedSade band) released the acoustic ballad "Flower of the Universe" for the soundtrack to theDisney filmA Wrinkle in Time. About asking Sade to contribute to the album, directorAva DuVernay wrote "I never thought she'd say yes, but asked anyway."[73] Later that year, Sade released "The Big Unknown" for the soundtrack to the20th Century Fox filmWidows. The film's director,Steve McQueen, stated that Sade agreed to write the song for the film, because "the original series ofWidows had deeply resonated with her."[74] For a couple of weeks in 2022, the band visitedMiraval Studios in France for the first time since recording some of their albumsPromise andStronger Than Pride.[75] The successor toSoldier of Love is rumoured to be in progress.[76]
The New Yorker described Sade's voice as a "grainycontralto full of air that betrays a slight ache but no agony, and values even imperfect dignity over a show of pain", a "deeply English" quality that makes categorising the artist's voice difficult.[77] Her voice was described by theBBC as "husky and restrained" and compared to singerBillie Holiday. BBC called her songwriting "sufficiently soulful and jazzy yet poppy, funky yet easy listening, to appeal to fans of all those genres."[78] Sade has been called a "pop star".[77] With the musicians in her band, Sade,The New Yorker wrote, "created one of the most profitable catalogues in pop"; the band's "easy" sound backing songs "exploring the heavier lifting inside love: commitment, consistency, friendship."[77] Her success has been attributed to a combination of her unique beauty, seemingly indefinable origins, and mysterious persona.[77] In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Sade at No. 51 on their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.[79]
Sade's work has influenced and been recognised by many singers and hip hop artists. RapperRakim ofEric B. & Rakim stated he grew up listening to Sade's music and was influenced by her voice and style. Rakim has also referred to Sade's song "Smooth Operator" in the song "Microphone Fiend" (1988).[80]Talib Kweli stated he learned about precision from Sade due to her performance ofLove Deluxe in its entirety atMadison Square Garden.[80] RapperMissy Elliott cited Sade's performance of "Smooth Operator" as one of her favourites. Hip hop groupSouls of Mischief stated they grew up listening to Sade's music.[80] Hip hop groupTanya Morgan also described Sade as one of their favourite artists.[80] Other rappers to recognise Sade include the former rap duo ofClipse –Malice andPusha.[80] In reaction to the newly released albumSoldier of Love, rapperKanye West wrote, "This is why i still have a blog. To be a part of moments like this ... new Sade ... How much better this ... than everything else?".[80] RapperRick Ross stated in an interview that "People may know my infatuation with Sade. There's never been a bad Sade track. I love all different sides."[81]
The late singerAaliyah said that she admired Sade because "she stays true to her style no matter what ... she's an amazing artist, an amazing performer ... and I absolutely love her."[82] American R&B singerBrandy has cited Sade as one of her major vocal influences.[83] Heavy metal singersGreg Puciato andChino Moreno have also named her as an inspiration.[84][85]
Sadesquatted inTottenham in the 1980s, with her then-boyfriendRobert Elms.[86] In 1989, she married Spanish film director Carlos Pliego. Their marriage ended in 1995.[15] Sade moved briefly to theCaribbean to live withJamaican music producer Bob Morgan in the late 1990s[15] and gave birth on 21 July 1996 to her first child, who later sang on Sade's song "Babyfather" in 2010. Sade and Morgan separated, and she has been in a relationship with Ian Watts, a formerRoyal Marine, since 2007; from this relationship, she has a stepson.
In 2016, onNational Coming Out Day, Sade's child, Izaak Theo Adu, came out as atransgender man.[87][88][89] In September 2019, Izaak posted a message online, thanking his mother for her support through his transition.[90] In the fall of 2024, Sade and theRed Hot Organization's TRANSA project released "Young Lion", a song dedicated to her son.[91]
In 2005, Sade moved out to the British countryside, where she bought a run-downcottage to renovate. Sade rarely grants interviews.[92]
^Roberts, David (2006).British Hit Singles & Albums. London: Guinness World Records.ISBN9781904994107.
^Whitburn, Joel (2012).The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 9th Edition: Complete Chart Information about America's Most Popular Songs and Artists, 1955–2009. Billboard Books. pp. 556, 796, 801.ISBN9780307985125.
^Kai, Maiysha (16 January 2019)."The Music, the Myth, the Muse: Sade Turns 60".The Glow Up.Archived from the original on 6 July 2019. Retrieved5 July 2019.A glimpse at her rare quotes and interviews reveal a woman introspective enough to recognize her own polarities—as well as a telling respect for her own need for space.
^James, Rapheal (2014).100 Pioneer/ Remarkable Women of the Century: In Celebration of Nigerian Centenary. Nigeria: JARAPH Books. p. 98.ISBN978-9783030824.
Murray, Charles Shaar (23 May 1985)."Sade: Sophisticated Lady".Rolling Stone.Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved4 September 2015.
Pearson, Roger (24 June 1995)."Suing Over Song Royalties".Billboard. p. 50.Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved13 September 2015.
Peters, Mitchell (27 August 2011)."The Love Moment".Billboard. pp. 16–19. Retrieved13 September 2015.
Walker, Nicole (18 December 2000)."Sade".Jet. pp. 60–64. Retrieved4 September 2015.
Newspapers
Eccles, Peter R. (7 February 1986)."Sade: Nigerian Pop Princess".Observer-Reporter. Washington, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. p. B5.Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved6 September 2015.
Farley, Christopher John (6 November 2000)."Sade Art & Soul".Time International (Canada Edition).Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved4 September 2015.
Harrington, Richard (10 January 1986)."Sade's Platinum Life".The Age. The Washington Post. pp. 12–13.Archived from the original on 29 April 2016. Retrieved6 September 2015.
Holmes, Steven; Kohan, John; Schoenthal, Rhea (13 April 1986)."Much Adu about Sade".The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 107.Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved6 September 2015.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.png)
