Sadé Eboné is heading for the top with debut single

Labelled ‘mute’ at school, Sadé Eboné proves them wrong with release of debut single

GROWTH: Sade Ebone

SADE EBONE is no stranger when it comes to living in the background – whether that has been singing within her local church’s children’s choir or as a school child being labelled as ‘mute,’ her shyness and quiet nature taken for weakness.

I remember crying after some of my first ever singing performances because I was so petrified.

Sadé Eboné

But the Nottingham based singer-songwriter has emerged out of the shadows, taken centre stage and used her own voice to silence all others with the release of her debut single – Heading – and by its offering she may well be heading to the very top.

Eboné, 25, was born to sing having been raised in a home where her parents – Stephen and Barbara Thomas are both social workers and also co-directors of the Hope Community Gospel Choir based in Beeston, Nottinghamshire.

It was where Eboné became attuned to an eclectic mix of sound from a who’s who of musical icons including Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Prince and Sting to American R’N’B group Mint Condition and Gospel legend Kirk Franklin, and from a young age it became very clear to Eboné where her life was heading.

“Coming from a musical family – my mum is a gospel singer and my dad is a musician – my love for singing started at a really young age,” begins Eboné.

She continued: “As a child I always looked forward to singing nursery rhymes at pre-school and growing up in church where my favourite part of the service would always be singing in the children’s choir every Sunday. I’ve also been told by my family that as a child I would often sing in my sleep too which, to be honest, comes as no surprise to me since I am always singing in the house!”

Eboné makes it clear that her parents have had the biggest influence on her as an emerging artiste within her own right.

“My dad would often call me into the studio and challenge me to write songs as he played on his keyboard. Also, watching my mum sing from church to church has inspired not only my own performances but has also enabled me to truly feel every lyric that I sing.

“Their influence has made me more intentional with the music I hope to release as I have seen how it has helped to bring healing to my family during challenging moments while also uniting us closer together during times of celebration.”

A self-confessed lover of poetry, music and anything with great words, Eboné, who graduated with a Masters degree in Law at the Nottingham Trent University and hopes to pursue further research in the same subject, has a few musical inspirations whose style is influential in her own work.

“My musical inspiration often comes from artists who focus on spreading positivity, hope and inspiration. So of course, India Arie is a big one for me! Then there is Jonathan McReynolds, Gregory Porter and British born singer Cleo Sol. I love how their music takes you on a journey, telling detailed and beautiful stories.”

This love of storytelling through music and song clearly permeates in her debut single – Heading – a fusion of traditional gospel and pop which has Matthew Burrows on guitar with backing vocals by her father and sister Aaliyah where you can hear elements inspired by Laura Mvula’s song Green Garden.

Produced by Andrew Mutambira, the track was written by Eboné during a pivotal moment in her life. “Heading was written in September 2019 at a time when I was feeling anxious about turning 24 (I’ve heard it’s called ‘birthday blues’).

” At that time I had felt a sense of underachievement and unfulfillment with how my life had panned out so far. I had a lot of doubts, fears, insecurities and feelings of comparison especially when thinking about my future. Yet while these feelings were intense, by faith I was able to see my future from a perspective of hope rather than be crippled by fear.”

Perhaps it was this same sense of insecurity and shyness at school which led to some labelling her as being mute. Remembering that experience Eboné said: “For quite a while the labels attached to me as a child definitely had an impact on my confidence.

“I remember crying after some of my first ever singing performances because I was so petrified. However, with time and encouragement from family and friends I have learned to really value both my voice and perspective on life.”

Eboné’s view on life has not only been inspired by her own experiences but also of others as brought to light during some of the events which had such a powerful impact around the world.

“While there have been some difficult moments for many people, lockdown has given me time to work on my craft, even picking my guitar back up too. Many of the events which took place last year such as the killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Abery and Breonna Taylor have inspired me to write about the injustices black people face around the world.”

With her debut track gaining a positive response from BBC Music’s Introducing Dean Jackson and Premier Radio’s DJ Fireman – Eboné has a clear vision on the artist she hopes to become: “I hope to be an artist that writes songs about the human experience, whether that means songs to do with my faith as a Christian, relationships or social issues. I want my music to inspire in others every emotion – joy, happiness, tears and a connection to God.”

Misan Harriman appointed Chair of Southbank Centre

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