(AllHipHop News) Today (February 9), revered singer Sade will begin her TV promotional appearances for her new album with an introduction to younger fans via a performance and interview on 106 & Park.
Today also marks the U.S. release on her highly anticipated sixth studio LP Soldier of Love, the first album in 10 years following 2000’s multi-platinum Lover’s Rock.
Sade Adu and her band burst onto the music scene in 1984 with the release of Diamond Life. With the singles “Smooth Operator” and “Your Love Is King,” the project was an international success and sold over 6 million copies.
Two more multiplatinum albums followed in the 80s with Promise (1985) and Stronger Than Pride (1988). In 1992, Sade released what many consider her magnum opus and one of the greatest love albums of all time in Love Deluxe.
To date, she is one of the most successful artists in music history, selling over 50 million albums throughout her 26 year career.
While younger fans who were children at Sade’s last release may not be familiar with her work, many mature Hip-Hop fans and artists are celebrating the British singer’s return.
“This is why I still have a blog,” Kanye wrote on his personal site when Sade first announced her return. “To be part of moments like this….new Sade…how much better [is] this than everything else?”
“Sade is unbelievably incredible,” added Busta Rhymes on his Twitter. “Soldier of Love in stores Feb. 9th…Watch what happens.”
Drake is also excited about the new album, and is hopeful to secure Sade for his own anticipated LP.
“I had a wish list for my managers of everybody I wanted involved that stem beyond Hip-Hop,” explained Drake to MTV News about his forthcoming debut. “I’m really trying to work with Sade.”
Sade guest appearances have been an extreme rarity, with most of her work being confined to her 3-member self-named band. But the songstress has made her love of Hip-Hop known recently when asked about her personal favorites.
“I like songs with sort of more heavy rap. I like Raekwon’s album [Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II], you know from the Wu-Tang Clan,” Sade explained to radio host Tom Joyner. “I listen to just about anything that speaks to me, and anything that’s sort of got a bit of soul and a bit of real feeling in it.”
Touched, Raekwon reciprocated the praise by recording a humorous, lip-synching video of Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed” for the singer.
Additionally, Hip-Hop fans learned last week that Sade and legendary Queens lyricist Nas quietly worked together in 2000 for an expected remix single to “Lover’s Rock.” According to producer Salaam Remi, the singer’s label Sony has possession of the track.
Over the years, Sade has allowed her music to be sampled and covered by numerous artists including Mobb Deep (“Where Ya Heart At”), Lil Kim (“Single Black Female”), Inspectah Deck (“Trouble Man”), AZ (“Pay Back”), Krayzie Bone (“Hard Time Hustlin’”), and Les Nubians (“Sweetest Taboo”).
Sade’s 106 & Park appearance will be today at 6PM EST.
This evening, she will appear on the David Letterman Show at 11:35 EST.
AllHipHop.com’s review of Soldier of Love can be viewed HERE.
