Ahorita I’m listening to the smooth and sorrowful “Love is Stronger Than Pride” and I am one click away from purchasing concert tickets. After ten years, the iconic singer-songwriter and composer is back on tour and coming to a town near us. I’m so glad she’s back to share more stories.
Her story continues to spark interest in the minds of millions. Bi-racial Helen Folasade Adu was first called Sade by Nigerian neighbors who refused to recognize her by her first name. She speaks pleasantly of her early childhood, as she told Vibe magazine, but her move to London marks the time when she became a victim of racism, recalling teens shouting at her to “go black home”. In one case, she responds to a classmate with self-possession: “Who are you? Go look in the mirror. I know who I am.” Indeed she knew who she was. But what was she was going to do? First choosing fashion as a career, she became disillusioned with the industry and stuck to singing backup vocals for the funk-soul band Pride. Initially, she said she was terrified to sing onstage. She decided that if she was going to sing, she would sing like she spoke, staying true to herself.
She has since stayed true to herself and her music. She won’t make music if she doesn’t have a story to tell, she refuses to collaborate with other artists and she doesn’t do very many interviews. That leaves her and the music. And we like both. A lot. The authenticity of her voice combined with a resilience and sultry elegance is both majestic and honest. “By Your Side” exemplifies a fusion of this honesty and soft elegance. Then there is the idea that her music transcends, that she speaks to everyone. Yes, Sade speaks to the black woman, the old white couple, the latino man.
Perhaps people are enamored of Sade’s beauty or her image as the epitome of cool. Beautiful, sultry, sexy, absolutely. And cool, definitely. Maybe its her mystique that keeps us wanting more. Whatever the reason(s) for her appeal, Sade continues to captivate. Welcome Back!
