Helen Folasade Adu CBE (Yoruba: Fọláṣadé Adú [fɔ̄láʃādé ādú]; born 16 January 1959), known professionally as Sade Adu or simply Sade (/ʃɑːˈdeɪ/ shah-DAY), is a Nigerian-born British singer, known as the lead singer of her eponymous band. One of the most successful British female artists in history, she is often recognised as an influence on contemporary music. Her success in the music industry was recognised with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2002, and she was made Commander in the 2017 Birthday Honours.
Sade was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, and brought up partly in Essex, England, from the age of four. She studied fashion at Saint Martin’s School of Art in London and gained modest recognition as a fashion designer and part-time model, prior to 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 best-selling albums of the era, and the best-selling debut by a British female vocalist.
Sade’s music is a blend of soul, jazz, funk, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Her vocals are smooth and soulful, and her lyrics are often introspective and poetic. She has been praised for her unique sound and her ability to create music that is both timeless and relevant.
Sade has released eight studio albums, all of which have been commercially successful. She has also won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards and a Brit Award. In 2011, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Sade is known for her privacy and her reluctance to give interviews. She has said that she prefers to let her music speak for itself. However, she has also spoken out on social and political issues, including apartheid in South Africa and the AIDS crisis.
Sade is a cultural icon and one of the most successful and influential singers of all time. Her music has touched the lives of millions of people around the world, and she continues to be a major force in popular music.