Sade (singer)

British singer (born 1959)

Sade

CBE

Sade performing in 2011

Born|

Helen Folasade Adu

(1959-01-16) 16 January 1959 (age 66)

Ibadan, British Nigeria
(present-day Nigeria)

Alma mater| Saint Martin's School of Art
Occupations|

* Singer
* songwriter

Years active| 1982–present
Spouses|

Carlos Pliego

(m. 1989; div. 1995)​

Ian Watts

(m. 2007)​

Children| 1
Musical career
Origin| Essex, England
Genres|

* Soul[1]
* sophisti-pop[2]
* smooth jazz[3]
* quiet storm[4]

Instrument| Vocals
Labels|

* Portrait
* Epic
* RCA
* Sony

Publishers| Sony Music Publishing
Member of| Sade

Musical artist

Website| sade.com

Helen Folasade Adu CBE (Yoruba: Fọláṣadé Adú [fɔ̄láʃādé ādú]; born 16 January 1959), known professionally as Sade Adu or simply Sade (/ˈʃɑːdeɪ/ SHAH-day or /ʃɑːˈdeɪ/ shah-DAY),[5][6][7] is a Nigerian-born British singer and songwriter who is the lead vocalist of her band Sade. One of the most successful British female artists in history, she is often recognised as an influence on contemporary music.[8][9][10] Her success in the music industry was recognised with the honour Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2002, and she was made Commander in the 2017 Birthday Honours.[11]

Sade was born in Ibadan, Nigeria,[12] and was brought up in England from the age of four. She studied at Saint 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 with Epic Records in 1983. A year later, the band released the album Diamond 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 the Live Aid charity concert at Wembley Stadium and in November the band released their second album, Promise. The next year, she appeared in the film Absolute 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.

The band reunited in 1999 and the following year, released Lovers Rock, their first album in eight years. Lovers Rock was a departure from the band's earlier jazz-inspired sounds. In 2010, the band released Soldier of Love, their sixth studio album, and toured arenas worldwide. Since that tour ended in 2011, the band has released three songs, "Flower of the Universe" for the soundtrack of Disney's A Wrinkle in Time, "The Big Unknown", part of the soundtrack of Steve McQueen's film Widows.[13][14][15], and 'Young Lion', part of the Red Hot complication album, TRAИƧA in 2024.

## Early life

[edit]

Helen Folasade Adu was born on 16 January 1959 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.[16] Her middle name, Folasade, means "crowned with wealth" in Yoruba.[17] Her parents are Adebisi Adu, a Nigerian lecturer in economics of Yoruba background from Ikere-Ekiti, and Anne Hayes, an English district nurse; they met in London, married in 1955, and moved to Nigeria.[16] 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 near Colchester, Essex.[18] At age 11, Sade moved to Holland-on-Sea, Essex with her mother and brother.[19] After completing her education at Clacton County High School and Colchester Institute at the age of 18, she moved to London and studied fashion design at Saint Martin's School of Art.[16][18][20]

## Career

[edit]

### 1980–1984: Beginnings and Diamond Life

[edit]

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/saxophonist Stuart Matthewman; together, backed by Pride's rhythm section, they began doing their own sets at Pride gigs.[21] Her solo performances of the song "Smooth Operator", co-written with Ray St. John, attracted record companies' attention, and in 1983 Sade and Matthewman split from Pride, along with keyboardist Andrew Hale, bassist Paul Denman, and drummer Paul Cook, to form the band Sade.[16][21] By the time she performed her first show at London's Heaven 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's Danceteria nightclub. On 18 October 1983, Sade Adu signed with Epic Records. The rest of the band signed in 1984.[22]

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.[23] Diamond Life was released on 16 July 1984, reached number two in the UK Album Chart, sold over 1.2 million copies in the UK, and won the Brit Award for Best British Album in 1985.[24] 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.[21]

"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 the UK Singles Chart.[25][26] The song was less successful in the US, where it peaked at number 54 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[27] The third single, "Smooth Operator", was released on 15 September 1984 and became the most successful song in the US from the album Diamond Life. The track peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the US Billboard Hot Black Singles, as well as peaking at number one on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[28] In Europe the song fared well, peaking at number 19 in the UK,[29] and reaching the top 20 in Austria, Switzerland, France, and Germany.[30]

### 1985–2000: Continued success and first hiatus

[edit]

Sade performing in 1985

In late 1985, the band released their second album, Promise, which peaked at number one in both the UK and the US[31][32] and became the band's first album to reach number one on the US Billboard 200. The album topped the chart in 1986 and spent two weeks at the peak position.[33] Eventually, the album went on to sell four million copies in the region and was certified four times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[34] 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.[35] "The Sweetest Taboo" peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100, number one on the US adult Contemporary chart, and number three on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.[36] 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.[35] The following year, 1986, the band won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.[37]

In 1986, Sade made her acting debut in Absolute Beginners, a film adapted from the Colin MacInnes book of the same name about life in late-1950s London. Sade played the role of Athene Duncannon and lent her vocals to the film's accompanying soundtrack.[38] The film was screened out of competition at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival and grossed £1.8 million in the UK.[39] 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.[34] The album was popularized by four singles, most notably the album's second single "Paradise", which peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming the band's first single to do so.[40]

Love Deluxe was released as the band's fourth studio album on 26 October 1992. The album peaked at number three on the US Billboard 200[41] and has sold 3.4 million copies in the United States.[42] The album was later certified four times platinum by the RIAA for shipments of four million copies.[43] The album was also commercially successful elsewhere, reaching number one in France,[44] and reaching the top ten in New Zealand,[45] Sweden,[46] Switzerland,[47] and the UK.[48] 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,[49] certified platinum and four times platinum, respectively.[50] The compilation album included material from Sade's previous albums, as well as a cover version of "Please Send Me Someone to Love" (1950), originally by Percy Mayfield.[51]

### 2000–2010: Lovers Rock and second hiatus

[edit]

Sade onstage at the SAP-Arena, Mannheim, Germany, 2011-11-16

Following an eight-year hiatus, the band released their fifth studio album, Lovers Rock, on 13 November 2000 and received positive reviews from music critics.[52] The album reached number 18 on the UK Albums Chart, number three on the US Billboard 200, and has since been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA),[53] having sold 3.9 million copies in the United States by February 2010.[54] On 27 February 2002, the album earned Sade the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album,[55] and the lead single "By Your Side" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Although the single lost out to Nelly Furtado's "I'm Like a Bird", it has been listed as the 48th greatest love song of all time by VH1.[56]

To promote the album, Sade and the band embarked on their fifth concert tour entitled Lovers Rock Tour. The tour was announced via the band's website in April 2001.[57] 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.[58] 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.[59]

Following the tour, the band released their first live album, Lovers Live on 5 February 2002 by Epic Records. Lovers Live reached number ten on the US Billboard 200 and number 51 on the UK 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,[60] while the DVD was certified platinum on 30 January 2003 for shipping 100,000 copies.

Following the release of Lovers 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 an Order of the British Empire (OBE) at Buckingham Palace for services to music.[61] In 2002, she appeared on the Red 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.

### 2010–2017:  Soldier of Love and third hiatus

[edit]

Sade performing in 2011

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.[18] Upon release, the album received positive reviews and became a success.[62] The album debuted atop the Billboard 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 band AC/DC released their album Black Ice and entered the Billboard 200 at number one in November 2008.[33] Consequently, the band became the act with the longest time between number-one albums, as the band's Promise (1985) and Soldier of Love were separated by 24 years, 10 months and 2 weeks.[63]

The first single and title track, "Soldier of Love", premiered on US radio on 8 December 2009[64][65] and was released digitally on 11 January 2010.[66] Subsequent singles, "Babyfather" and "The Moon and the Sky", were played by US urban adult contemporary radio on 13 April and 24 August 2010, respectively.[67][68] At the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2011, the title track won Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, while the song, "Babyfather", was nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.[69]

In April 2011, the band began their Sade Live tour (also known as the "Once in a Lifetime Tour" or the "Soldier of Love Tour").[70] The band toured Europe, the Americas, Australia and Asia to promote the band's sixth studio album and their second compilation album, The Ultimate Collection (2011). This trek marked the band's first tour in nearly a decade[71] and ranked 27th in Pollstar's "Top 50 Worldwide Tour (Mid-Year)", earning over 20 million dollars.[72] At the conclusion of 2011, the tour placed tenth on Billboard's annual "Top 25 Tours", earning over $50 million with 59 shows.[73] The tour was chronicled with Bring Me Home - Live 2011, released in May 2012.

### 2018–present: Return

[edit]

In March 2018, she (and the reunited Sade band) released the acoustic ballad "Flower of the Universe" for the soundtrack to the Disney film A Wrinkle in Time. About asking Sade to contribute to the album, director Ava DuVernay wrote "I never thought she'd say yes, but asked anyway."[74] Later that year, Sade released "The Big Unknown" for the soundtrack to the 20th Century Fox film Widows. The film's director, Steve McQueen, stated that Sade agreed to write the song for the film, because "the original series of Widows had deeply resonated with her."[75] For a couple of weeks in 2022, the band visited Miraval Studios in France for the first time since recording some of their albums Promise and Stronger Than Pride.[76] The successor to Soldier of Love is rumoured to be in progress.[77]

## Legacy and influence

[edit]

The New Yorker described Sade's voice as a "grainy contralto 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.[78] Her voice was described by the BBC as "husky and restrained" and compared to singer Billie Holiday. BBC called her songwriting "sufficiently soulful and jazzy yet poppy, funky yet easy listening, to appeal to fans of all those genres."[79] Sade has been called a "pop star".[78] 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."[78] Her success has been attributed to a combination of her unique beauty, seemingly indefinable origins, and mysterious persona.[78] In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Sade at No. 51 on their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.[80]

Sade's work has influenced and been recognised by many singers and hip hop artists. Rapper Rakim of Eric 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).[81] Talib Kweli stated he learned about precision from Sade due to her performance of Love Deluxe in its entirety at Madison Square Garden.[81] Rapper Missy Elliott cited Sade's performance of "Smooth Operator" as one of her favourites. Hip hop group Souls of Mischief stated they grew up listening to Sade's music.[81] Hip hop group Tanya Morgan also described Sade as one of their favourite artists.[81] Other rappers to recognise Sade include the former rap duo of Clipse – Malice and Pusha.[81] In reaction to the newly released album Soldier of Love, rapper Kanye 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?".[81] Rapper Rick 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."[82]

The late singer Aaliyah 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."[83] American R&B singer Brandy has cited Sade as one of her major vocal influences.[84] Heavy metal singers Greg Puciato and Chino Moreno have also named her as an inspiration.[85][86]

## Personal life

[edit]

Sade squatted in Tottenham in the 1980s, with her then-boyfriend Robert Elms.[87] In 1989, she married Spanish film director Carlos Pliego. Their marriage ended in 1995.[16] Sade moved briefly to the Caribbean to live with Jamaican music producer Bob Morgan in the late 1990s[16] 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 former Royal Marine, since 2007; from this relationship, she has a stepson.

In 2016, on National Coming Out Day, Sade's child, Izaak Theo Adu, came out as a transgender man.[88][89][90] In September 2019, Izaak posted a message online, thanking his mother for her support through his transition.[91] In the fall of 2024, Sade and the Red Hot Organization's TRANSA project released "Young Lion", a song dedicated to her son.[92]

In 2005, Sade moved to a village in the Gloucestershire countryside, where she bought a run-down cottage to renovate. Sade rarely grants interviews.[93]

## Honours, awards and nominations

[edit]

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Sade

Sade was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2002 for services to music, and stated her award was "a great gesture to me and all black women in England".[94] She was promoted to Commander of the same Order (CBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours, also for services to music.[95][96] In 1986, she became the first Nigerian-born artist to win a Grammy Award when she was named Best New Artist. In 2023, Sade was invited to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.[97] Sade became a 2024 nominee for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[98]

## Discography

[edit]

Main article: Sade discography

### Studio albums

[edit]

* Diamond Life (1984)
* Promise (1985)
* Stronger Than Pride (1988)
* Love Deluxe (1992)
* Lovers Rock (2000)
* Soldier of Love (2010)

### Compilations

[edit]

* TRAИƧA (2024)

## Tours

[edit]

* 1984: Diamond Life Tour
* 1985–1986: Promise Tour
* 1988: Stronger Than Pride Tour
* 1993: Love Deluxe World Tour
* 2001: Lovers Rock Tour
* 2011: Sade Live

## References

[edit]

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79. ^ Lester, Paul (2010). "BBC – Music – Review of Sade – Diamond Life". BBC. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
80. ^ "The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time". Rolling Stone. 1 January 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
81. ^ a b c d e f Barshad, Amos (11 February 2010). "Why Rappers Love Sade – Vulture". Vulture. Archived from the original on 11 March 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
82. ^ Anderson, Kyle (19 December 2014). "Rick Ross on Chanting 2 Live Crew on the Playground – And the First Time He Fell in Love With a Stripper". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
83. ^ Sutherland, William (2005). Aaliyah Remembered. Trafford Publishing. pp. 8–10\. ISBN 9781412050623.
84. ^ "Up Close & Personal with Brandy 3/4". TrueExclusives at TrueExclusives.com. YouTube. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
85. ^ Acharya, Kiran (28 September 2018). "A Match Thrown On A Gasoline Field: Greg Puciato On Trauma, Dillinger And The Black Queen". Kerrang!. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
86. ^ "The Quietus | Features | Baker's Dozen | Bakers Dozen: Deftones' Chino Moreno Chooses His Top 13 Albums".
87. ^ Mahoney, Elisabeth (22 November 2011). "Radio review: From Frestonia to Belgravia – The History of Squatting". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
88. ^ "Sade's Child Comes Out as a Transgender Man | Health". BET. 5 October 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
89. ^ "Sade's Transgender Son Announces Breast Removal Surgery On Instagram". BET. 8 August 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
90. ^ Henderson, Cydney. "Sade's transgender son thanks mom for 'staying by my side' throughout transition surgery". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on 7 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
91. ^ "Sade's son praises her support as he completes transition from woman to man". Metro. 26 September 2019. Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
92. ^ Grow, Kory (25 October 2024). "Sade's First Song in Six Years, 'Young Lion,' Is Tender Apology to Trans Son, Izaak". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
93. ^ 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. Retrieved 5 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."
94. ^ "Actress and Singer Collect OBEs". BBC News. 17 April 2002. Archived from the original on 5 December 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
95. ^ "No. 61962". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 2017. p. B8.
96. ^ James, Rapheal (2014). 100 Pioneer/ Remarkable Women of the Century: In Celebration of Nigerian Centenary. Nigeria: JARAPH Books. p. 98\. ISBN 978-9783030824.
97. ^ Brockington, Ariana (18 January 2023). "Snoop Dogg And Sade Among Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductees". www.today.com. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
98. ^ "Sade - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame". www.rockhall.com. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.

## Further reading

[edit]

Books

* Bego, Mark (1986). Sade!. Toronto; New York: Paperjacks. ISBN 9780770104702.
* Ebby, Margaret (2012). Rock and Roll Baby Names: Over 2,000 Music-Inspired Names, from Alison to Ziggy. New York: Gothem Books. ISBN 9781101561539. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
* Elms, Robert (2014). The Way We Wore: A Life In Threads. London: Indie. pp. 192, 230, 236, 240–242, 259–260\. ISBN 9781780258072.
* Vickers, Graham (2010). "W1 Le Beat Route". Rock Music Landmarks Of London. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857123091. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
* Watson, Albert; Koons, Jeff; Kratochvil, Laurie (1994). Cycl[ops] (1st ed.). Boston: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780821221419.

Magazines

* "5 Minutes With... Sade". Flare. May 2010. p. 118.
* "15 Rap Bangers Inspired by Sade Samples". XXL Magazine. 20 October 2010. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
* Berens, Jessica (January 1986). "Spins – Sade". Spin. p. 32. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
* Clinton, Ivory Jeff; Arnold, Chuck; Herndon, Jessica (17 January 2011). "Picks and Pans Review: The Grammy Grapevine Sade". People. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Collier, Aldore (30 June 1986). "Sade Sizzles as Singer in Her First Film". Jet. pp. 58–59. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
* Collier, Aldore (April 1993). "Sade Speaks Out". Ebony. pp. 124–127. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Concepcion, Mariel (30 September 2010). "Sade Announces First Tour in Ten Years". Billboard. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
* Eshun, Ekow (Winter 2000). "Sade's Complex Relationship With Fame Can Still Teach Us Something, 15 Years Later". Fader. No. 6\. Archived from the original on 3 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Flick, Larry (11 November 2000). "Epic's Sade Returns with 'Rock'". Billboard. pp. 1, 102. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Gibbs, Adrienne Samuels (1 April 2010). "The Complete Insider's Guide to Sade". Ebony. pp. 90–94.
* Hines, Kimberly A. (25 May 2012). "Sade Talks 'Bring Me Home Live,' Touring, Music & What's Next". Ebony. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Leavy, Walter (May 1986). "Sade: The Story Behind the Exotic Singing Sensation". Ebony. pp. 155–164. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Mieses, Stanley (3 February 1986). "Lean and Languid and Young and Lovely, Pop's Sade Makes Even the Girl from Ipanema Seem Hyper". People. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Moore, Trudy S. (7 November 1988). "Sade: Hit Singer Talks about Coping with Rumors, Sexy Image". Jet. pp. 30–32. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Murray, Charles Shaar (23 May 1985). "Sade: Sophisticated Lady". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Pearson, Roger (24 June 1995). "Suing Over Song Royalties". Billboard. p. 50\. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
* Peters, Mitchell (27 August 2011). "The Love Moment". Billboard. pp. 16–19. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
* "Sade Talks About Her Comeback, Bad Marriage and New Outlook". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 12 April 1993. pp. 58–59. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
* Sanders, Richard (7 April 1986). "Archive: Chatter". People. No. 14\. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
* Sangweni, Yolanda (30 May 2012). "Exclusive: Four Things You Didn't Know about Sade". Essence. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
* Shaw, William (January 2001). "Sade Speaks". Harper's Bazaar. pp. 68–69.
* Tate, Greg (January 2001). "Black Magic Woman". Vibe. pp. 104–109. Retrieved 13 September 2015.[permanent dead link]
* Walker, Nicole (18 December 2000). "Sade". Jet. pp. 60–64. Retrieved 4 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. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
* Farley, Christopher John (6 November 2000). "Sade Art & Soul". Time International (Canada Edition). Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 4 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. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
* Holden, Stephen (30 January 1985). "The Pop Life; 'Diamond Life,' Sade's Debut Album". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 24 May 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Holden, Stephen (27 November 1985). "The Pop Life; Sade's 2d Album, A Refined Fusion". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 24 May 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Holden, Stephen (25 May 1988). "The Pop Life". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Holden, Stephen (12 December 1985). "Pop: Sade at Radio City". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 24 May 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
* Holden, Stephen (19 June 1988). "In an Exhibitionist World, Sade's Quiet Songs Shine". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 4 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. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
* Italie, Hillel (15 October 1988). "Music Makers: The Smooth, Sexy Vocals of Sade". The Newburgh Beacon. Associated Press. p. 6B. Archived from the original on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
* Jobey, Liz (25 October 1992). "Still Got the Look". The Independent. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
* Lester, Paul (22 February 2010). "Why Does Sade Have Such a Poor Reputation in the UK?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Lindvall, Helienne (18 May 2011). "Behind the Music: The Secrets of Sade's Success". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 December 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
* Millner, Denene (22 September 1996). "Shedding Sade Backup Band Goes It Alone While Singer's Tied Up Being A Mom". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Saeed, Saeed (11 December 2011). "5 Minutes with Sade Adu". The National. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
* Sandall, Robert (5 November 2000). "Beautiful Stranger – Interview". The Sunday Times. p. Style 6.
* Sandall, Robert (7 May 2012). "Sade Emerges from Her Own Country Retreat [Interview]". Soulhead. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.

Websites

* Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). "Gold & Platinum – Sade". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
* Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) (30 January 1985). "Top Selling Artists – Albums – Sade". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
* Stosuy, Brandon (3 September 2010). "VH1 100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
* VH-1 Music (13 February 2012). "The 100 Greatest Women in Music". Archived from the original on 7 June 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2017.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sade Adu.

Main

* Sade – official site
* Sade at AllMusic
* Sade discography at Discogs
* Sade discography at MusicBrainz

Articles

* Shapersofthe80s.com – Provides images and stories of Sade Adu's life while a men's clothing designer and part-time model.
* "2010, Comeback Shard Comfy as 'Auntie Sade'". Shapersofthe80s.com. WordPress.com. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
* "1981, First Blitz Invasion of the US". Shapersofthe80s.com. WordPress.com. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
* "1982, Strange Takes Fashion to the French". Shapersofthe80s.com. WordPress.com. 5 October 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2015.

* v
* t
* e

Sade

* Sade Adu
* Paul Denman
* Andrew Hale
* Stuart Matthewman

* Paul Anthony Cook
* Dave Early

Studio albums|

* Diamond Life
* Promise
* Stronger Than Pride
* Love Deluxe
* Lovers Rock
* Soldier of Love

Live releases|

* Live
* Lovers Live
* Bring Me Home: Live 2011

Compilation albums|

* The Best of Sade
* The Ultimate Collection

Singles|

* "Your Love Is King"
* "When Am I Going to Make a Living"
* "Smooth Operator"
* "Hang On to Your Love"
* "The Sweetest Taboo"
* "Is It a Crime?"
* "Never as Good as the First Time"
* "Love Is Stronger Than Pride"
* "Paradise"
* "Nothing Can Come Between Us"
* "Turn My Back on You"
* "Haunt Me"
* "No Ordinary Love"
* "Feel No Pain"
* "Kiss of Life"
* "Cherish the Day"
* "By Your Side"
* "King of Sorrow"
* "Somebody Already Broke My Heart" (live)
* "Soldier of Love"
* "Babyfather"
* "The Moon and the Sky"
* "Still in Love with You"
* "Flower of the Universe"
* "The Big Unknown"

Concert tours|

* Promise Tour
* Lovers Rock Tour
* Sade Live

Related articles|

* Discography
* Awards and nominations
* Sweetback

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* 2
* VIAF
* FAST

National|

* Germany
* United States
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* BnF data
* Italy
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* Netherlands
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* Israel
* Finland

Artists|

* MusicBrainz
* Grammy Awards

People|

* DDB

Other|

* IdRef
* SNAC
* Yale LUX

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