Helen Folasade Adu (Ibadan, Nigeria, January 16, 1959), known as Sade, is the singer of the British band of the same name.

Sade was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, to a Nigerian father and an English mother. When her parents divorced at age four, she moved to the United Kingdom with her mother and older brother, Banji. She first lived in Colchester and, from age 11, in Holland-on-Sea.

Sade became interested in horseback riding and bought a horse with the money she earned from her Saturday jobs. This hobby is reflected in the music video for “Never As Good As The First Time.” She listened to soul music played in the disco at an American army base.

In 1977, Sade began a three-year program at St. Martins University of the Arts in London. In between, she sang in the Latin/soul band Arriva, founded by bassist/guitarist Ray St. John. The song “Diamond Life” (the original title of Smooth Operator) was written by him.

When Arriva folded in 1980, a new band was formed: Pride. Sade, who had by then opened her own boutique and was working as a model, formed the backing vocals with Barbara Dickinson. Nick Moxom was the lead singer.

Pride built a live reputation in London and New York. The band caught the attention of Spandau Ballet manager Steve Dagger.

Sade had discovered the art of songwriting and formed her own band with Pride members Paul Spencer Denman (bass), Stuart Matthewman (guitar/sax), and Paul Anthony Cooke (drums), bearing her name.

In December 1982, she debuted at the capital’s jazz club Ronnie Scott’s and quickly received more press attention than Pride, which soon folded. Keyboardist Andrew Hale later joined.

In 1995, Sade moved to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where she married producer Bob Morgan. On July 21, 1996, daughter Ila (later transgender) was born. In 1997, she made headlines for speeding and allegedly insulting a police officer.

She was scheduled to appear in court, but failed to show up because Ila was in the hospital at the time.

In 1995, techno producers Kenny Larkin and Stacey Pullen made an illegal remix of “Give It Up” under the title “Surrender Your Love (Illegal Remixes).” They released it on a white label, writing Sade’s name in pen, hoping to avoid trouble.

This remix became popular in the dance scene. When Mixmag Magazine revealed Larkin’s involvement in the remix, Sade pressured Larkin to stop distributing it.

Meanwhile, Paul Spencer Denman, Stuart Matthewman, and Andrew Hale continued releasing their own albums. In 1996, Sweetback’s debut album was released.

It was recorded with a variety of guest vocals. It wasn’t a success. Audiences preferred to hear Sade’s own voice.

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