Singer Sade Adu is marking her 67th birthday today, Friday. Over the decades, she has built a career defined by consistency, global reach and influence across genres.
Here are ten notable achievements from her music journey.
- Formation of the band Sade in 1982
Sade Adu formed the band Sade in London in 1982. The group developed a sound that blended smooth jazz, soul and R and B, which later became their signature. - Breakthrough with Diamond Life in 1984
The band’s debut album Diamond Life topped the UK Albums Chart and received wide international recognition, establishing Sade as a major new act. - First Grammy Award in 1986
Sade won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1986. She became the first Nigerian born artiste to win a Grammy, marking a significant moment in global music history. - Global success of ‘Smooth Operator‘
The song ‘Smooth Operator’ became an international hit. It reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and helped expand her audience worldwide. - Series of multi platinum albums
Albums including Promise (1985), Stronger Than Pride (1988) and Love Deluxe (1992) achieved multi platinum status in several countries. - Multiple Grammy wins and long term recognition
Over the years, Sade has won several Grammy Awards, reflecting sustained recognition for her work in soul and R and B music. - Influence on later artistes
Her sound and style have influenced a number of contemporary musicians, including Beyoncé, Adele and Maxwell. - Return with Soldier of Love in 2010
After a long break from releasing new music, Sade returned with the album Soldier of Love. The title track won a Grammy Award for Best R and B Performance by a Duo or Group. - Enduring cultural presence
Sade is widely recognised for a restrained visual style and emotionally focused music, which have remained relevant across generations. - Over 50 million records sold worldwide
With more than 50 million records sold globally, Sade ranks among the best selling female artists in music history.
