London, UK – Legendary British-Nigerian singer Sade is breaking her six-year musical hiatus to contribute a heartfelt ode to her transgender son, Izaak, on the upcoming album Transa. The song, titled “Young Lion,” is set to appear on the compilation album produced by Red Hot, which aims to celebrate the role of trans people in contemporary society.
In the track, Sade expresses both empathy and guilt for not recognizing her son’s gender identity sooner. “You must have felt so alone, I should have known,” she sings, acknowledging Izaak’s struggles and her own shortcomings.
The album, which features over 100 artists across 46 tracks and eight chapters, is a testament to the power of music in raising awareness and promoting acceptance. Other notable contributors include Sam Smith, Moses Sumney, André 3000, Laura Jane Grace, and Fleet Foxes.
Inspired by the tragic death of trans artist SOPHIE in 2021, Transa seeks to honor the contributions of trans and non-binary individuals to society. As Red Hot executive director Dust Reid explained, “We hoped to create a narrative that positions trans and non-binary people as leaders in our society insofar as the deep inner work they do to affirm who they are in our current climate.”
The album is scheduled for release on November 20th and is expected to make a significant impact on the conversation surrounding transgender rights and visibility.
