"Sade" () is the debut solo single by Nigerian singer

Adekunle Gold Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko (born 28 January 1987), known professionally as Adekunle Gold and AG Baby, is a Nigerian Afrobeats singer and songwriter currently signed to Def Jam Recordings. He gained widespread attention after releasing the 2015 hit ...

. It was originally released on 19 December 2014 through Natialo Productions, and re-released on 5 March 2015 to coincide with his signing to YBNL Nation. The re-release was produced by

Pheelz Phillip Kayode Moses (born 5 June 1994), better known as Pheelz, is a Nigerian record producer, singer, songwriter, and graphic designer. Pheelz is credited to have produced all but one song on Olamide's '' Baddest Guy Ever Liveth'' album. In 2 ...

. It was re-released for reasons that have not been made public. Mainly sung in Yoruba and English, "Sade" was the lead single from his debut

studio album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

Gold Gold is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol Au (from Latin ) and atomic number 79. In its pure form, it is a brightness, bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal ...

'' (2016). It is a

highlife Highlife is a Ghanaian music genre that originated along the coastal cities of present-day Ghana in the 19th century, during its Gold Coast (region), history as a colony of the British and through its trade routes in coastal areas. It encompasse ...

cover of

One Direction One Direction, often shortened to 1D, were an English-Irish pop boy band formed in London in 2010. The group consisted of Niall Horan, Zayn Malik (until his departure in 2015), Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson. The group sold o ...

's " Story of My Life".

Background

"Sade" is a highlife cover of One Direction's "Story of My Life," reimagined with Afro-juju and folk influences. Adekunle Gold drew inspiration for the track during a moment of traffic in Lagos in May 2013, when he first heard the original song and began freestyling the hook. By November 2014, he had completed the song and worked with producer Olaitan Dada, who added talking drums to complete its production. At the time, Adekunle Gold was balancing a career as a graphic designer with aspirations of making music. He had designed logos and artwork for YBNL Nation, the label he would eventually sign with. His work caught the attention of producer

, who, after hearing "Sade", shared it with YBNL boss Olamide. He re-produced "Sade" in March 2015, for unknown legal reasons. Impressed by the song's soulful and narrative-driven style, Olamide signed Adekunle Gold to YBNL in 2015.

Composition

"Sade" is a folk-pop ballad that incorporates elements of highlife and pop, reflecting Adekunle Gold’s focus on emotional storytelling. The track features a minimalist arrangement with piano riffs and subtle melodies, aligning with the introspective sound that was becoming prominent in Nigerian music during its release period. The song’s lyrics are a mix of Yoruba and English, exploring themes of unrequited love. Lines such as "Omoge dakun gbo temi, Jowo ma je ki n lo commit o" ("Please don’t make me go commit") and the recurring chorus, "Je’n gbe e lole, Mummy mi reti omo" ("Let me take you home, my mother awaits her child"), highlight the interplay of personal emotions and cultural expectations. The use of familial references adds a layer of context rooted in societal norms. The instrumental composition is inspired by One Direction’s "Story of My Life," reinterpreted to suit a Nigerian sound. The production emphasizes a stripped-down approach, centering the vocals and lyrics. This combination of traditional Nigerian storytelling and contemporary musical elements positions "Sade" within a blend of cultural and modern influences.

Accolades

Release history

References

{{YBNL Nation Songs in Yoruba 2014 songs 2014 debut singles YBNL Nation singles Song recordings produced by Pheelz