From the global sensation behind "Smooth Operator" to a tranquil existence in Somerset, soul legend Sade Adu has swapped her 1980s international fame for a peaceful life in the West Country.

Born Helen Folasade Adu in Nigeria, she relocated to Colchester at the tender age of four to live with her grandparents and spent her formative years in Essex.

Her life took a dramatic turn when she and her band skyrocketed to fame following the release of their debut smooth soul single, "Your Love is King," which climbed to number six on the charts in 1984. Their first album, Diamond Life, received even more praise, selling a staggering 10 million copies and remaining a classic four decades after its release.

Sade also won over critics, bagging four Grammy awards, including Best New Artist in 1986 following their second album's release. Around this period, she briefly ventured into acting, making her debut in Absolute Beginners, a film set in 1950s London.

Over the next 20 years Sade achieved worldwide recognition, with hits like "Smooth Operator, "The Sweetest Taboo" and "No Ordinary Love" echoing from radios globally. These tracks continue to be popular today, racking up over a billion streams on Spotify alone, reports .

Sade's sporadic album releases, sometimes with decades-long gaps, have contributed to her enigmatic reputation, with the star occasionally retreating from the public eye for years at a time.

It seems Sade has continued on a path towards a more secluded life, purchasing a farm in the West Country, where she resided with her partner Ian Watts and her mother, affectionately known as "Granny Annie" during the pandemic.

In a 2020 conversation with British Vogue, Sade shared her thoughts: "Like everyone, we're on a ship of unknown destination but that's life ... no mutiny yet."

She continued, "There's always so much to do: there are songs I so want to write, and I've rediscovered the joy cooking brings."

Despite her rural life away from the spotlight, Sade remains musically active, releasing the single "Young Lion" in 2024, as well as "Flower of the Universe" for the Disney film A Wrinkle in Time, starring Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey.

In 2002, she solidified her status as a national treasure when she received an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List. Fifteen years later, she was awarded an even higher honour, a CBE, for her contributions to music.

Sade's music career has been marked by a distinctive blend of soul, jazz, and soft rock, earning her a devoted fan base and critical acclaim.

Throughout her career, Sade has maintained a unique approach to music, releasing albums at her own pace and exploring themes of love, relationships, and introspection in her lyrics.

Her most recent releases demonstrate that, despite her more reclusive lifestyle, Sade remains committed to her craft and continues to create music that resonates with her fans.

With her iconic status and continued musical output, Sade remains an beloved figure in the music industry, cherished for her timeless voice and enduring legacy.

As she navigates her life in the countryside, Sade's music serves as a reminder of her talent and her ability to transcend the boundaries of time and genre.

Her commitment to her art and her determination to live life on her own terms have endeared her to fans and earned her a place as one of the most respected and beloved musicians of her generation.

In an era where the music industry often prioritises quantity over quality, Sade's approach serves as a refreshing reminder of the importance of taking the time to craft meaningful music that stands the test of time.