Sade

United Kingdom, 1982–now

British band fronted by Helen Folasade Adu. Diamond Life (1984) set an unhurried, almost withheld voice against jazz-inflected soul, and the group has kept to that register across four decades and long silences between records.

MusicRoots documents 5 artists who influenced Sade and 0 artists Sade influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Sade?

• Billie Holiday — Billie Holiday is first among the singers Sade Adu names; the withheld, behind-the-beat delivery is hers.
• Nina Simone — Nina Simone is among the singers Sade Adu names as her own listening.
• Marvin Gaye — Marvin Gaye's late soul is one of the models for the band's unhurried arrangements.
• Curtis Mayfield — Curtis Mayfield is named among Sade Adu's influences.
• Gil Scott-Heron — Gil Scott-Heron is named among Sade Adu's influences.