Soul legend Sade Adu, known for hits like “Smooth Operator,” has transitioned from global fame in the 1980s to a tranquil life in Somerset, England.
Originally named Helen Folasade Adu, she relocated from Nigeria to Colchester at a young age, spending her formative years in Essex. Sade rose to prominence with the release of their debut single, “Your Love is King,” which peaked at number six on the charts in 1984. Their first album, Diamond Life, sold over 10 million copies and remains a classic album even after four decades.
Sade received critical acclaim, earning four Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist in 1986. She also delved into acting, making her big-screen debut in the film “Absolute Beginners.”
Over the next twenty years, Sade achieved global success with hits like “Smooth Operator,” “The Sweetest Taboo,” and “No Ordinary Love,” becoming staples on radio stations worldwide. These tracks continue to be popular today, accumulating over a billion streams on Spotify alone.
The enigmatic musician, known for her infrequent album releases and periods out of the public eye, has embraced a peaceful lifestyle, owning a farm in the West Country where she spent the pandemic with her partner Ian Watts and her mother, affectionately known as “Granny Annie.”
In a 2020 interview with British Vogue, Sade expressed her contentment with rural life, mentioning her ongoing passion for music and cooking. Despite her retreat from the limelight, she remains active in the music scene, releasing the single “Young Lion” in 2024 following the success of “Flower of the Universe” from the film “A Wrinkle in Time.” Her significant contributions to music were recognized with an OBE in 2002 and a CBE in 2017 for her services to the industry.