Sade is one of music’s most unique and enduring acts. Her debut album, Diamond Life, went Top Ten in the U.K. in late 1984. January 1985 saw the album released on CBS’ Portrait label and by spring, it went platinum off the strength of the Top Ten singles “Smooth Operator” and “Hang on to Your Love.” Her next album, Promise, featured “Never As Good As the First Time” and arguably her signature song, “The Sweetest Taboo,” which stayed on the U.S. pop charts for six months. In 1986, Sade won a Grammy for Best New Artist. Sade’s third album was 1988’s Stronger Than Pride and featured her first number one soul single “Paradise,” “Nothing Can Come Between Us,” and “Keep Looking.” 1992’s Love Deluxe continued the unbroken streak of multi-platinum Sade albums, spinning off the hits “No Ordinary Love,” “Feel No Pain,” and “Pearls.” Sade issued Lovers Rock in fall 2000. The debut single “By Your Side” was also a hit. The following summer, Sade embarked on her first tour in more than a decade, selling out countless dates. In early 2002, she celebrated the success of the tour by releasing her first ever live album and DVD, Lovers Live. Sade resurfaced in late 2009 with “Soldier of Love,” the lead single for the album of the same title. In the U.S., Soldier of Love debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 500,000 copies during its first week. Another live set, Bring Me Home Live 2011, followed. Sade continues to tour the world.
