Sade
- One of the most successful British female artists in history, she is often recognised as an influence on contemporary music.
- After completing a three-year course in fashion design, and later modelling briefly, Sade began backup singing with British band Pride.
- By the time she performed her first show at London’s Heaven nightclub, she had become so popular that 1,000 people were turned away at the door.
- Sade’s work has influenced and been recognised by many singers and hip hop artists.
- Talib Kweli stated he learned about precision from Sade due to her performance of Love Deluxe in its entirety at Madison Square Garden.
- Heavy metal singers Greg Puciato and Chino Moreno have also named her as an inspiration.
- Sade was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2002 for services to music, and stated her award was “a great gesture to me and all black women in England”.
- She was promoted to Commander of the same Order in the 2017 Birthday Honours, also for services to music.
- In 1986, she became the first Nigerian-born artist to win a Grammy Award when she was named Best New Artist.
- Following the release of Lovers Rock, Sade took a ten-year hiatus, during which she raised her child and moved to the Caribbean.
- In 2023, Sade was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- Sade became a 2024 nominee for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.