" It ’s incredibly hefty . "
Four-time Grammy Award-winning artist Sade (born Helen Folasade Adu) is releasing new music after many years, and the reason is incredible.
After more than six years, the elusive neo-soul singer is releasing a new track, “Young Lion,” which will appear on theTransa(stylized:TRAИƧA) benefit album from the Red Hot Organization.
For perspective, Sade has yet to put out a full-length album since 2010’sSoldier of Love.
Her most recent singles were featured on two 2018 movie soundtracks: “Flowers of the Universe” fromA Wrinkle in Timeand “The Big Unknown” fromWidows.
According to theNew York Times, “Young Lion” is dedicated to Sade’s son, Izaak Theo Adu, who is a trans man. In the lyrics, she sings, “Young man, it’s been so heavy for you / You must have felt so alone… I should have known / Shine like a sun / You have everything you need.”
Per NYT,Transais “a spiritual journey across 8 chapters and 46 songs, spotlighting the gifts of many of the most daring, imaginative trans and non-binary artists working today alongside contributions and collaborations from allies such as Sade,Sam Smith, André 3000, Clairo,Moses Sumneyand many more. It softens the edges of the world we know, and invokes powerful dreams of the futures that might one day thunder from its cracks,” set to be released on Nov. 22.
“Trans people have always existed, with many different names across time and culture, often as spiritual healers and leaders,” Red Hot Org’s Instagram states. “As global systems continue to fail humanity and all life on Earth, the journey taken by trans people – and all peoples who have been oppressed – is a blueprint of possibility. May this be a glimpse of our collective liberation, and the light inside all of us.”
Red Hot’s executive director Dust Reid, who worked with model and activistMassima Bellto compile the album, said, “We hoped to create a narrative that positions trans and non-binary people as leaders in our society insofar as the deep inner work they do to affirm who they are in our current climate. We felt this is something everybody should do. Whether you identify as trans or non-binary or otherwise, if you took the time to explore your gender, get in touch with the feeling side of yourself, maybe we would have a future oriented around values of community, collaboration, care, and healing.”
Speaking of Sade’s song, Massima told theNew YorkTimes, “It’s amazing to hear a legendary musician like Sade sing about her heartfelt experience as the parent of a trans child. It’s incredibly powerful.”
As reported by theNYT, Red Hot has released over two dozen sets, with hundreds of top talent involved, raising over $15 million in its lifetime.
I grew up listening to Sade’s music in my household, and knowing that someone who had such a significant impact on my parents' generation is using her voice to raise awareness for trans and nonbinary folk is a beautiful revelation.
Sade’s “Young Lion” and the artists involved inTransaare making a difference, and the internet agrees:
the humans has * truly * hold off for Sade to grace us with newfangled music , and her doing it to benefit a marginalized community on behalf of her trans child is soo beautiful 🤎pic.twitter.com / ip2DBeXTIa
I ’m crying this is so beautiful , Sade you ’re an ikon and a caption
the return of sade . we crode.pic.twitter.com/CSHz01oiK4
Oh Helen Folasade Adu ! 😭 The tabby that you are ! Her son is trans too and we will be indicate her kinfolk sexual love and support too.pic.twitter.com/WnQ2PjHDy9
And to the people who are being anti-trans or upset that Sade isn’t releasing a full album or tour — be quiet like the storm.
Transawill be available on Nov. 22.
