SADE IS #1

Ten years after their last album, Sade's latest, Soldier Of Love, debuted at #1 on the charts this week, selling over 500,000 copies.  In one week! The lesson here, I think, is: you don't have to pander. You don't have to put out albums until you are ready to. You don't have to be a part of a trend or a scene. You don't have to "tell all" in "exclusive" interviews. You don't even (necessarily) have to "engage" your fans on "multiple platforms." You just have to be great, and don't betray the trust of your fans.  And yes, I referred to Sade as "they," not "she." The band is fronted by Sade - aka Helen Folasade Adu - but also three other musicians, Stuart Matthewman, Paul Spencer Denman and Andrew Hale.  Helen Folasade doesn't do many interviews, but you can read one here.