Sade to Release First New Song in Years as Part of Transgender Awareness Compilation
variety.comSteven J. Horowitz Senior Music Writer It’s rare these days to get new music from Sade — after all, she hasn’t released an album since 2010’s “Soldier of Love” — but in just a few months, she’s set to put out her first new song in years.
The reclusive singer-songwriter will release “Young Lion” as part of the “Transa” benefit album, arriving on Nov. 22. The project, assembled by non-profit Red Hot, is intended to support transgender awareness and spotlights both trans and non-binary artists. “Young Lion” is dedicated to Sade’s son Izaak, who identifies as a transgender man. “We started talking about all the gifts that trans artists have been giving to the world, and wanted to create a Red Hot project that centered and celebrated those gifts,” says Dust Reid, who put together “Transa” alongside artist Massima Bell. “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.” “Transa,” which features over three-and-a-half hours of music, includes a mix of covers and exclusive tracks from Sam Smith, André 3000 and Jeff Tweedy.
The project has over 100 contributing artists, and is structured across eight chapters and 46 songs — a nod to the eight-stripe rainbow pride flag.
