In 2018, Sade Awele released her debut single “Count On Me,” a song that ushered in other singles like “Nigerian Born,” “Dreams” and a debut EP tagged “Time Love Journey.” Now the Nigerian-Canadian Afro-soul artist is back with her first official single of the year titled “Elevating.” The artist who grew up listening to artists like Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and many more, grew up in a musical home where gospel, R&B, jazz, Afro-fusion and Afrobeats were played on constant repeat. This act planted a seed in the artist and helped build her songwriting skills alongside storytelling, no wonder each song released by the artist tells a story and in her latest song, she tells a new story.
“Elevation” is a soulful jam where the artist sings about being heard. Here, Sade just wants to shut off external noise and let her mind listen to what matters, “Shut off the noise and listen to the stereo, better yet make a coffee walk up outta here. It’s too loud it’s too vicious it’s too busy. Take it easy let the mind marinate it’s easy.” “Why you all you all up on my face with all these comments? Why you all up in my business with these commas? And these questions do you really need these answers?,” it would seem that Sade is tired of being questioned by someone close to her because the person wouldn’t listen anyways hence she sings, “These are my words, my heartfelt words to ya. Let it breathe, let it free, let it sound so ella elevating.”
While talking about the song on her IG page she had this to say, “2 years ago Chintogram mentioned he was working with welcometoarthus to create a black compilation album for black artists in Vancouver and asked me to submit one of my originals for the compilation. A black compilation album in Vancouver has never been done before! I’m so honoured to be a part of The Art Of. Thank you Chinstogram for advocating for so many artists of colour & the music scene in Vancouver, and thank you welcometoarthus for putting me on. Elevating is about shutting out the noise to focus on what matters the most. It was the first song I wrote during the pandemic in my jazzy bop style produced by my brother bamzyempire, and I’m so excited that you get to hear it now too.”
The Sabine Kahwaji-directed music video mirrors the artist’s song, as it displays two young women arguing and trying to take control of the conversation, but in the end, they both simmer down and let their words flow calmly. Listen to the song and watch the music video here.
