Sade

For nearly 30 years, Sade has maintained a monopoly on carefree, smooth R&B. Since debuting with the album Diamond Life, Sade has gone on to rack up several Grammys and astronomical record sales. Despite that prominence, Sade remains reclusive, offering up a certain mystique lost by many current artists. Sade’s theatrical music videos, featuring lead singer Sade Adu in forlorn occupations ranging from mermaid to hotel chanteuse, are well-recognized pieces of cultural ephemera. After releasing Soldier Of Love last year, Sade is reaffirming some musical significance as a wholly original outfit, taking a global tour for the first time in 10 years.

Updated 07/26/2011