Listen to Sade’s new song, ‘Young Lion’, on trans benefit compilation, ‘TRANSA:Selects’
Sade has released her first new track in six years on a benefit compilation celebrating transgender awareness, ‘TRAИƧA’. You can listen to it below.
Out today (25th October) on a sampler version of the full comp, ‘Young Lion’ is dedicated to the singer’s trans son, Izaak. It’s the first new music from Sade since a soundtrack offering in 2018.
The full compilation — described as a “celebration of gender-expansive life” — will land on 11th November, featuring 46 tracks from over 100 artists brought together by music and activist non-profit, Red Hot. Other featured artists include Beverly Glenn-Copeland, André 3000, Sam Smith, Laura Jane Grace, Devendra Banhart, Julien Baker, Moses Sumney, Hunter Schafer, Fleet Foxes, and many more.
The compilation of new songs, covers and exclusive tracks aims to support trans awareness and features trans, non-binary, genderqueer and cisgender acts. According to press material, the project has been in the works since 2021 and marks one of the most ambitious projects ever from the Red Hot non-profit, which has raised more than $15 million since 1989 to support HIV/AIDS relief and awareness.
“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 centred and celebrated those gifts,” said ‘TRAИƧA’ co-producer Dust Reid. “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.
“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,” she added.
Sade got involved in the compilation after receiving a personal letter from fellow co-producer Massima Bell, who is trans. “The support you’ve publicly given your son has been transformative,” Bell wrote (as per Rolling Stone). “I know that I would have had an easier experience navigating my own coming out if my family could have seen examples of support like yours. I feel that you’re in a unique position to be able to help shape a narrative that supports and uplifts trans people.”
‘Young Lion’ is the first music from Sade since the 2018 singles, ‘Flower of the Universe’, from the A Wrinkle in Time movie soundtrack, and ‘The Big Unknown’ from the soundtrack to the Steve McQueen-directed drama, Widows.
Listen to Sade Adu’s ‘Young Lion’ below, and pre-order the ‘TRAИƧA’ compilation here.
Read DJ Mag’s recent deep dive into Sade’s iconic 1984 album ‘Diamond Life’ here.
