Sade’s ‘Young Lion’ Music Video Celebrates Her Transgender Son with Rare Footage
Sade has returned to the spotlight with the visual for her new single, “Young Lion.”
The deeply personal project, which pays heartfelt tribute to the singer’s transgender son, Izaak Adu, offers fans a rare glimpse into their family bond through decades of intimate footage.
Opening on a scenic road, the four-minute visual captures precious moments between Sade and Izaak, spanning from babyhood to adulthood. Highlights include touching clips of the singer cradling a young Izaak and their shared journeys, culminating in a tender embrace on the beach.
The video seemingly serves as an apology and a celebration of their journey, marking the singer’s first release in six years.
Through the poignant lyrics, Sade sings of love, regret, and resilience: “Young man, it’s been so heavy for you… With such a heavy burden, you had to carry all on your own.”
Reactions to the music video poured in immediately after its release, with fans thrilled to witness Sade’s long-awaited return.
One fan on Instagram shared, “Loved watching this video. Considering Sade’s always been so private, this means something for her to put such intimate footage out into the world.”
The “Smooth Operator” singer announced the single in September.
“Young Lion” is also featured on Transa, a 46-track compilation album from the activist music group Red Hot, released Nov. 22. The album includes contributions from over 100 artists, such as André 3000, Sam Smith, and Moses Sumney.
