I was at one of Sade's early gigs in the late 70's (or maybe early 80's) at the Wag Club, she had a huge underground rep, a backing band of the finest jazz funk musicians money could buy, and couldn't sing a lick, it was the most painful experience I'd ever had, she was worse than the average drunken karaoke singer.
Turned out the editor of the New Musical Express had taken a 'personal' interest in her, if you know what I mean.
The record company canceled her 'underground gigs', retooled her with a voice coach and from then on she basically whispers her way through her songs, which is a sure sign she still can't sing!
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