Sade Adu

Sade Adu is a British singer and songwriter, born Helen Folasade Adu in Ibadan, Nigeria, and raised in England. She studied fashion at St Martin’s School of Art before developing her musical career with Pride. She subsequently formed the band Sade with Stuart Matthewman, Paul Spencer Denman and Andrew Hale.

The group’s debut album Diamond Life appeared in 1984, with songs including Your Love Is King and Smooth Operator. Later albums include Promise, Love Deluxe, Lovers Rock and Soldier of Love. Her restrained vocal style and the band’s combination of soul, jazz and pop became a distinctive part of British music’s international presence.