1980s

Sade was formed in 1982, when members of a Latin soul band Pride—Helen Folasade Adu, Stuart Matthewman, and Paul Spencer Denman—together with Paul Anthony Cook formed a splinter group and began to write their own material. Later, in 1983, Andrew Hale joined the band. In 1984, Cook was asked to leave the band. Sade, named for the moniker of their lead singer, made their debut in December 1982 at Ronnie Scott's Club in London, in support of Pride. In May 1983 Sade performed at Danceteria Club in New York City. It was the first US Sade show. Sade received more attention from the media and record companies than Pride and separated finally. On 18 October 1983 Sade Adu signed with Portrait Records. All Sade albums were released through this label until it was absorbed by its parent label Epic Records in 1986.

On 25 February 1984 Sade released their first UK single Your Love Is King. On 28 July 1984 they released the debut album Diamond Life in the United Kingdom. In 1984 Sade went on their first UK Diamond Life tour. Augmenting Sade were Dave Early (drums), Martin Ditcham (percussion), Terry Bailey (trumpet) and Gordon Matthewman (trombone). On 8 December 1984 Sade released their first US single Hang on to Your Love. On 23 February 1985, Diamond Life was released in the United States. In 1985, Sade won a British Phonographic Institute Award for Best Album for the album. The video for Smooth Operator, directed by Julian Temple, was nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards—Best Female Video and Best New Artist.

On 13 July 1985 Sade performed at the Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London. Sade Adu became the only African artist to appear in front of a live audience of 75,000, and an estimated world-wide television audience of 1.4 billion in 170 countries. On 16 November 1985 Sade released their second album Promise in the United Kingdom. On 21 December 1985 Promise was released in the United States. In 1986 Sade Adu was nominated for an American Music Awards for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Video Artist and won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

In 1985-1986 Sade went on their first world Promise tour. Augmenting Sade were Dave Early (drums), Martin Ditcham (percussion), Gordon Matthewman (trumpet), Jake Jacas (trombone & backing vocals), Leroy Osbourne (vocals) and Gordon Hunte (guitar). Sade didn't finish the concert in Frankfurt, Germany, protesting against morbid media attention to private life with friends and families of the band members. On 28 June 1986 Sade performed at the Artists Against Apartheid Concert in the Freedom Festival on Clapham Common in London.

In 1987 Sade was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for Promise.

On 14 May 1988 Sade released their third album Stronger Than Pride in the United Kingdom. On 4 June 1988 Stronger Than Pride was released in the United States.

In 1988 Sade went on their world Stronger Than Pride tour. Augmenting Sade were Blair Cunningham (drums), Martin Ditcham (percussion), Leroy Osbourne (vocals), Gordon Hunte (guitar), James McMillan (trumpet) and Jake Jacas (trombone & vocals).

In 1989 Helen Folasade Adu was nominated for an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist.