Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel (born 19
February 1963 in Paddington, London, England), known simply as Seal,
is an English soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian background.[1]
His name Olusegun means "God is victorious".[2] A recipient
of BRIT, MTV and Grammy Awards, Seal is known for his numerous international
hits. He is married to German model Heidi Klum.
He was raised in a district of the City of Westminster in inner
London by his foster family. He received a two-year diploma, or associate's
degree, in architecture and worked in various jobs in the London
area.[3]
Although there have long been rumours as to the cause of the scars
on his face, they are in fact the result of a type of Lupus called
Discoid lupus erythematosus - a condition that specifically affects
the skin above the neck.[4][5]
[edit] Music career
[edit] Early career
After a short time singing in local clubs and bars, in the 1980s,
he joined Push, a British funk band, and toured with them in Japan.
In Asia, he joined a blues band in Thailand for a while before separating
from the group and journeying throughout India on his own. Seal returned
to England, sleeping on the couch of friend Julian Bunster, then
a model. He sometimes asked him "Do I sing well?"; to which
he often met the response that he sang better than most current artists.
His break came when he met the producer Adamski. He was given the
lyrics of the song "Killer", which was a huge hit in 1990.[6]
[edit] Seal (1991)
Main article: Seal (1991 album)
Seal first came to public attention as vocalist on the Adamski single "Killer" in
1990. The single eventually reached number one in 1990 in the UK.
Seal subsequently signed to ZTT Records and released his début
album (produced by Trevor Horn), self-titled Seal, in 1991. Two versions
of the album are known to be in circulation: the original "premix" version
and a second, more common version with an updated mix. This is attributed
to the demand for a produced single rushing the final album edit,
and as Seal puts it, his and producer Horn's "inability to let
go."[7]
Seal was positively received by critics. The singles "Crazy", "Future
Love Paradise", and his own rendition of "Killer" performed
well on the charts. In particular, "Crazy" became an international
hit in 1991, reaching number seven on the Billboard Music Charts
and number two in the U.K.[8]
In April 1992 Seal performed with the surviving members of the rock
band Queen at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. Seal performed
on his own singing the 1986 hit "Who Wants To Live Forever" and
joined the rest of the acts for the all star finale singing "We
Are The Champions."
In 1992, Seal appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation
CD Red Hot + Dance, contributing an exclusive track "Crazy (If
I Was Trev Mix)." The album, featuring George Michael and Madonna
among others, raised money and awareness in support of the AIDS epidemic
by donating all proceeds to AIDS charities.
[edit] Seal II (1994)
Main article: Seal (1994 album)
His second album, also self-titled Seal, was released in 1994. A
success, the album featured the singles "Prayer for the Dying" and "Newborn
Friend", later receiving a Grammy nomination for Album of the
Year. "Prayer for the Dying" became a minor pop hit in
the U.S., peaking at #21 on the Billboard charts. A third single, "Kiss
from a Rose", performed modestly when released but was later
featured to much wider popularity when it was remixed for the soundtrack
to Batman Forever. "Kiss from a Rose" won a Grammy Award
for Record of the Year and Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1996,
becoming Seal's best performing single on the US market (it topped
the Billboard Hot 100 in late August 1995).
[edit] Human Being
Main article: Human Being (album)
After the release of his previous album, in 1998, Seal released
Human Being. The album was the product of a turbulent time in his
life, including a split and later reconciliation with producer Horn
as well as Seal's parting with ZTT Records and his signing with Warner
Bros. Records in 1997. The record was panned upon its release. It
received Gold record certification by the RIAA just two months after
its release date.[9] The album provided three singles, "Human
Beings", "Latest Craze", and "Lost My Faith".
[edit] Togetherland
Main article: Togetherland
In 2001, fans awaited the arrival of a new album, announced as Togetherland.
After a protracted post-production period the album was cancelled.
The official word was that Seal simply didn't think it made the grade,
although this conflicts with other reports that said the album was
turned down by the label because producers felt the album wouldn't
be commercially successful. Even so, one single was released from
the album. "This Could Be Heaven" was released in the US
and featured on The Family Man soundtrack. Since December 2006, Seal
has indicated that he has plans to excerpt cuts from Togetherland
and make them available for streaming download. Meanwhile, Seal co-wrote
and provided vocals for the hit single "My Vision" from
Jakatta in 2002. He also recorded a successful duet with French icon
Mylène Farmer called "Les Mots" during that same
period.
[edit] Seal IV
Main article: Seal (2003 album)
In 2003, Seal released his fourth album, which was again self-titled,
except for Australia, where it was released under Seal IV. Although
it didn't sell as well as either of his first two albums, this release
brought him back into the public eye in the United States and continental
Europe. Singles from the album included "Waiting For You", "Get
It Together", and "Love's Divine" (released in 2004,
and a big hit in several European countries).
[edit] Greatest hits album: Best 1991-2004
Main article: Best 1991-2004
In 2004, a greatest hits album entitled Seal: Best 1991-2004 was
released, including a cover of the Bacharach / David classic "Walk
on By" and a cover of Echo & the Bunnymen's song "Lips
Like Sugar". An edition of the album was available which included
an extra CD with acoustic versions of some of Seal's hits.
[edit] Live in Paris
Also in 2004, Seal performed shows at the Olympia Theatre in Paris,
France. The 6 July 2004 show was recorded and released about one
year after as CD/DVD package, simply titled Live in Paris.
[edit] One Night to Remember
In June 2005, Seal recorded a special concert which was subsequently
released in 2006, entitled One Night to Remember, as CD/DVD combination.
The DVD includes a special "the making of" documentary
in addition to the live performance. Recorded in a historic steel
mill, the Altes Kesselhaus ("old boiler house"), in Düsseldorf,
Germany, this performance includes a special version of Brahms' Lullaby
which Seal sings in German and then in English for the exclusive
audience. Unlike earlier recordings in which Seal is accompanied
by his band, a full orchestra and choir of 52 musicians accompanies
the singer.
[edit] System
Main article: System (album)
Seal in March 2008
System was released in the UK on 12 November 2007 and in the U.S.
on 13 November 2007.[10] Seal describes the album as more dance-oriented,
apparently a return to the roots of his first album. On the track
titled "Wedding Day", Seal sings a duet with his wife,
model Heidi Klum. The album's first single, "Amazing",
was released on 25 September 2007, and was nominated for the "Best
Male Pop Vocal Performance" Grammy at the 2007 50th Annual Grammy
Awards.[11]
Seal performed "Amazing" and The Beatles' "Lucy in
the Sky with Diamonds" at the 2007 Royal Variety Performance.
Seal also performed "Amazing" at the 2007 Victoria's Secret
Fashion Show in December, as well as the duet "Wedding Day" with
his wife. Other performers at the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion
Show include the Spice Girls and will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas.
He appeared on the American Idol Season 7 Finale, singing with third-place
contestant Syesha Mercado.
[edit] Soul
Main article: Soul (Seal album)
Seal's sixth studio album Soul was released on 11 November 2008,
in the United States and 3 November 2008, internationally, and contains
eleven soul classics produced by David Foster.[12][13] The video
for the first single, a cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna
Come" is up on his official YouTube page. As well, he will be
mentoring the top 9 on Deutschland sucht den Superstar and performing
one of his songs from the album.
Seal coached the participants of Germany's TV show "Deutschland
sucht den Superstar" (Popidol) in February/March 2009.[14]
[edit] Hits
Main article: Hits (Seal album)
On 4 December 2009, Hits, a compilation album was released. It contains
two new tracks, "I Am Your Man" and "Thank You".
[edit] Commitment
Main article: Commitment (Seal album)
Seal has recorded his seventh studio album, Commitment, due for
release on September 20 internationally and September 28, 2010 in
the US, as revealed on his official website. The first single "Secret" was
released August 10, 2010 on iTunes U.S. and in the UK on September
13, 2010.
[edit] Other projects
Seal contributed vocals to a cover of John Lennon's "Imagine" for
the 2010 Herbie Hancock album, The Imagine Project along with P!nk,
India.Arie, Jeff Beck, Konono N°1, Oumou Sangare and others.[15]
[edit] Personal life
Seal with wife Heidi
Seal first met German model Heidi Klum in 2003 — shortly after
she announced her pregnancy and end of relationship with then Italian
Renault Formula One team director Flavio Briatore.
Seal proposed to Klum on Dec. 23, 2004 at 14,000 feet[citation needed],
in a quinzee[16] he had built on a glacier in Whistler, British Columbia.[17]
On 10 May 2005, the couple married on a beach in Mexico near Seal's
home on Mexico's Costa Careyes, with his close friend Robin Doherty
serving as best man.[18]
Every year Seal and Klum take the time to renew their vows on their
anniversary with their close friends and family. About these renewals
Seal says[19]:
"Each year, Heidi and I get remarried. It's a great party,
but for about an hour, we go off on our own down to a private beach.
We sit there with the kids and read vows to each other as the sun
sets. It's a very special moment to us."
Klum gave birth to Briatore's daughter, Helene "Leni" Boshoven
Klum on 5 May 2004 in New York City[20] with Seal at her side. According
to Klum, Briatore is not involved in Leni's life, and Klum has stated
emphatically that "Seal is Leni's father".[21][22] Seal
is her only father figure, and he has praised Briatore for keeping
his distance and not disrupting Leni's life.[23] In late 2009, Seal
officially adopted Leni, and her last name was changed to Samuel.[24]
The couple have three other children, Henry Günther Adeola Dashtu
Samuel (born 12 September 2005),[25] Johan Riley Fyodor Taiwo Samuel
(born 22 November 2006)[26] and Lou Sulola Samuel (born 9 October
2009).[27]
On June 11, 2009, Seal, on tour with his new album Soul, revealed, "It
is nice to be in newspapers and magazines for something other than
my marriage." He said his marriage may take away the attention,
but doesn't detract from what he loves doing: making music.[28]
On October 5, 2009, nearly five years after the couple married,
Klum filed a petition to change her name to Heidi Samuel.
[edit] Other work
Seal and wife Heidi Klum announced in June 2010 that they will be
making a reality series on Lifetime entitled Love's Divine (after
Seal's song of the same name.)[29]
Seal was also a judge for the 10th annual Independent Music Awards
to support independent artists' careers.[30]
[edit] Discography
Main article: Seal discography
[edit] Studio albums
* 1991 Seal
* 1994 Seal II
* 1998 Human Being
* 2003 Seal IV
* 2007 System
* 2010 6: Commitment
[edit] Other albums
* 2004 Best 1991-2004
* 2005 Live in Paris
* 2006 One Night to Remember
* 2008 Soul
* 2009 Soul Live
* 2009 Live In Brooklyn
* 2009 Hits
* 2010 The Platinum Collection - Seal, Seal II, Soul