After taking a 10 year break from the music scene, Nigerian-born British singer Sade Adu and her soulful jazz band returned to the stage with their “Bring Me Home” tour last year. For fans who didn’t attend one of the concerts, there is now an album and film.
This week, Sade released “Bring Me Home – Live 2011,” a live CD and concert film shot over several stops on the tour.
The film includes behind-the-scenes footage of Sade and her bandmates rehearsing, hanging out on their tour bus and goofing off. Sade recently sat down for an interview with Reuters about her music, life on the road and how she spends her time out of the spotlight.
When asked about her 15-year-old daughter joining her on tour, Sade explained, “She loved the show. I was amazed at how many times she watched it. She came out on the road with me the last time but she was always on the bus. She was so young, just four. I didn’t want her to see me on stage. I felt it would be too much for her to grasp because to her, I’m just her mommy. I thought it would overwhelm her. A long time after that she asked, ‘Mom are you famous? Are you really famous?'”
Sade was also asked about how she spends her time between projects. “I always sing because I listen to music at home and I sing. I’ll sometimes write things down – thoughts or feelings that might trigger a song later on. My life between the albums is a collection of experiences, which I will one day write about. It’s not like I’m a prolific writer who just writes, and writes and writes,” said Sade.
In Sade’s new live “Bring Me Home” behind-the-scenes concert footage, there is a clip of her dancing to Snoop Dogg.
Sade revealed, “I love hip-hop. I love the beats, I love the lyrics and I love the fact that it’s from the heart. It’s real and not just commercial. I listen to Snoop Dogg and Drake – they’re great. I listen to a lot of hip-hop, so I do dance a lot. I actually love going out. I haven’t lately, but I love getting on the dance floor.”
Many would probably be shocked to learn Sade likes to go out. Over the years, Sade has acquired the reputation of being a bit of a recluse.
“I don’t think I’m reclusive but I do avoid celebrity. I will go out to dance where no one bothers you because they’re all doing their own thing. I don’t consider myself a celebrity, I consider myself a songwriter and a singer – a person who makes music. I don’t see why that’s necessarily synonymous with giving your whole world away,” said Sade.
Sade also commented on how, at age 53, she stays so young.
Sade confesses, “I think it’s an energy thing. Your physical language determines how young you look moreso than if you have plastic surgery. You have to keep that love for what you do and, even in the battleground, keep your head up. So many people let go of that. They get past a certain age and feel they no longer belong. I never really feel that way. I always have something to add. It’s still a battle to be won.”
