Sade, the Nigerian-born British singer and songwriter, born Helen Folasade Adu in 1959, is renowned for her velvety-smooth voice and the distinctive sound of the band that shares her name. Formed in London in the early 1980s, Sade (the band) consists of Sade Adu as the lead vocalist, along with Stuart Matthewman, Andrew Hale, and Paul Denman. The band's debut album, "Diamond Life," released in 1984, marked a groundbreaking moment in the music industry, featuring hits like "Smooth Operator" and "Your Love Is King." Sade's fusion of jazz, R&B, and soul, coupled with Adu's captivating vocals, set them apart and established them as international sensations.

Sade's music is characterized by its timeless and sophisticated quality, marked by lush arrangements and Adu's emotionally resonant lyrics. The band's subsequent albums, including "Promise," "Love Deluxe," and "Lovers Rock," continued to receive critical acclaim and commercial success. Their ability to craft soulful, sultry, and atmospheric songs has earned them a devoted global fanbase and enduring popularity across generations.

Known for her enigmatic persona, Sade Adu's influence extends beyond music. Her distinct style, both in fashion and music, has made her a cultural icon. With a career spanning several decades, Sade's impact on contemporary music endures, and her ability to create music that transcends genres has solidified her as one of the most beloved and influential artists in the realm of smooth jazz and soul.

Sade1/16/1959Ibadan, NigeriaHelen 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 in the UK with an award of the Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2002, and 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 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. In July 1985, Sade was among the performers at the Live Aid charity concert at Wembley Stadium, and the following year she appeared in the film Absolute Beginners. Following the band's third and fourth albums, Stronger Than Pride (1988) and Love Deluxe (1992), they went on hiatus after the birth of Sade's child.
After a spell of eight years without an album, the band reunited in 1999, and released Lovers Rock in 2000. The album departed from the jazz-inspired inflections of their previous work, featuring mellower sounds and pop compositions. The band then underwent another hiatus, not producing music for another ten years until the release of Soldier of Love. Following that album's release, the band entered a third period of extended hiatus, and have only released two songs ("Flower of the Universe" for the soundtrack of Disney's A Wrinkle in Time, and "The Big Unknown" as part of the soundtrack for Steve McQueen's film Widows) since.Helen Folasade AduEpic Sony Portrait RCAVocals