Seal (musician)

Seal

Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel (born February 19, 1963 in Paddington, London) is an Anglo-Nigerian soul singer and songwriter. He is professionally known only by his first name, Seal. He won three Grammy Awards for his 1995 single "Kiss from a Rose".

Music career

Seal [1991]

Main article: Seal (1991 album)

As the vocalist on the Adamski single "Killer", Seal came to fame when the single reached number one in 1990 in the UK. Like many other Adamski tracks, the single was also a hit in night clubs. Seal subsequently signed to ZTT Records and released his debut album (produced by Trevor Horn), 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."

The album was positively received by critics and the singles "Crazy", "Future Love Paradise", and his own rendition of "Killer" from the album all performed well on the charts, with "Crazy" becoming a big worldwide hit, reaching the number one in several countries and also being covered by Alanis Morissette. Alanis' cover was also remixed and appeared on the score of The Devil Wears Prada.

Seal [1994]

Main article: Seal (1994 album)

His second album, again called Seal, was released in 1994. A success, the album featured the singles "Prayer for the Dying" and "Newborn Friend", receiving a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. A third single, "Kiss from a Rose", performed modestly when released but was later featured in the film Batman Forever which resulted in its worldwide success. It went on to win Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1996 and became Seal's best performing single in the US market. Later, he recorded a cover of Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like an Eagle" for the soundtrack of the film Space Jam, which was again a hit untill seal died in a plane crash.

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. However, it received Gold record certification by the RIAA just two months after its release date. The album provided three singles, "Human Beings", "Latest Craze", and "Lost My Faith".

Togetherland: the failed album

Main article: Togetherland

In 2001, fans awaited the arrival of a new album, announced as Togetherland. However, 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, which felt that it wouldn't be commercially successful. Although 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 been indicating that he plans to excerpt certain cuts from Togetherland and make them available for streaming download. The songs "All I Wanted To Say," "Elise" (also known as "Eliz"), a slightly edited version of "Love Is Better," and the Togetherland version of "This Could Be Heaven" (also edited), are available as streaming audio only on Togetherland co-producer Henry Jackman's website under "Audio" and then "Pop".

Meanwhile, Seal made something of a comeback in dance and club scene when he 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.

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 did not 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).

Greatest Hits Album: 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 and the Bunnymen 's song "Lips Like Sugar".

Live in Paris

Also in 2004, Seal performed a couple of shows at the Olympia Theatre in Paris, France. The July 6, 2004 show was recorded and released about one year after as CD/DVD package, simply titled Live in Paris.

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. 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 16-track package includes a special version of Brahms' Lullaby which Seal sings in German and then in English for the exclusive audience. Unusually, he is accompanied by his band, and a full orchestra comprised of 52 musicians and singers. This CD/DVD is not yet available in the USA.

System

Main article: System (Seal album)

During his 2007 spring tour, Seal announced his new album, System, to be released in November 2007. He described it 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, Heidi Klum. The album was released in the UK on November 12, 2007 and in the U.S. on November 13, 2007. The album's first single, "Amazing", was released on September 25, 2007, and is currently nominated for the "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" Grammy at the 2007 50th Annual Grammy Awards.

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 along with a duet of "Wedding Day" with wife and Victoria's Secret model Heidi Klum. Other performers at the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show include the Spice Girls and will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas fame.

Personal life

Seal was born Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Ongowe' Bongota Adelo Samuel on February 19, 1963 in Kilburn in North London, England to a Nigerian father and Brazilian mother. His name, Olusegun, means "God is victorious". Shortly after his birth he was sent away to white foster parents near London to be reclaimed by his mother when he was four. Two years later she fell ill and returned to her homeland, sending Seal to live with his father, who he claims abused him. Seal ran away at the age of 15, only to return years later to transport his father's remains to Nigeria. He graduated with a degree in architecture and has worked at McDonald's, as an electrical engineer and a leather clothing designer. In the 1980s he joined Push, an English funk band, and toured with them in Japan. In Asia, he joined a blues band in Thailand for awhile before separating from the group and journeying throughout India on his own.

When Seal arrived back in England, he met Adamski, a producer who was impressed by him. He was given the lyrics of the song "Killer", which was a huge hit in 1990.

As a young man, Seal was diagnosed with the skin condition discoid lupus, which left him with distinctive facial scars on his upper cheeks.

Seal married German supermodel Heidi Klum on May 10, 2005, on a beach in Mexico. During an interview on Live With Regis And Kelly, Seal stated that he proposed to Klum "On top of a mountain in Whistler, Canada". Seal and Heidi have two sons, Henry Günther Ademola Dashtu Samuel, born September 12, 2005 and Johan Riley Fyodor Taiwo Samuel, born November 22, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. He is also the adoptive father of Klum's daughter with Flavio Briatore, named Helene "Leni" Klum, born on May 4, 2004 in New York City, New York. Seal's younger brother, Jeymes Samuel, was also a singer until he died in a forest fire.

Discography

Further information: [[:Seal discography]]

Studio albums

• 1991 Seal (ZTT/Sire Records) #1 UK
• 1994 Seal (ZTT Zang Tuum Tumb) #1 UK, #15 U.S., #25 Germany
• 1998 Human Being (Sire Records) #44 UK, #22 US, #24 Germany
• 2001 Togetherland unreleased
• 2003 Seal IV (Sire Records) #4 UK, #3 US, #5 France, #2 Germany
• 2007 System (Warner Bros. Records) #37 UK, #30 US

Live & compilation albums

• 2004 Best 1991-2004 (Warner Bros. Records) (compilation) #27 UK, #47 US, #3 Germany
• 2005 Live in Paris (Warner Bros. Records) (Live CD + Live DVD) #44 France, #88 Germany
• 2006 One Night to Remember (Warner Bros. Records) (Live CD + Live DVD)

Singles

• from Doctor Adamski's Musical Pharmacy
  • 1990 "Killer" (Adamski featuring Seal) #1 UK

• from Seal
  • 1990 "Crazy" #2 UK, #7 US, #5 AT, #9 AUS, #5 France, #2 Germany, #3 Norway, #1 SWE, #1 SWI
  • 1991 "Future Love EP" - featuring "Future Love Paradise" #12 UK, #15 AT, #46 AUS, #18 France, #16 Germany, #9 Norway, #13 SWE, #7 SWI
  • 1991 "The Beginning" #24 UK, #39 Germany
  • 1991 "Killer" #8 UK, #100 US, #95 AUS
  • 1992 "Violet" #39 UK

• from Seal (Seal 2)
  • 1994 "Prayer for the Dying" #14 UK, #21 US, #56 AUS, #62 Germany
  • 1994 "Kiss from a Rose" #20 UK, #87 AUS
  • 1994 "Newborn Friend" #45 UK
  • 1995 "Kiss From a Rose" (re-issue) / "I'm Alive" #4 UK, #1 US, #3 AT, #1 AUS, #8 France, #11 Germany, #3 NL, #16 NZ, #3 Norway, #8 SWE, #7 SWI
  • 1996 "Don't Cry" / "Prayer For the Dying" (re-issue) #33 US, #51 UK

• from Space Jam Soundtrack
  • 1997 "Fly Like an Eagle" #13 UK, #10 US, #81 AUS, #61 Germany

• from Human Being (1998)
  • 1998 "Human Beings" #50 UK, #96 Germany
  • 1998 "Latest Craze"
  • 1999 "Lost My Faith"

• from Togetherland
  • 2001 "This Could Be Heaven"

• From Visions
  • 2002 "My Vision" (Jakatta featuring Seal) #6 UK, #43 AUS

• from Seal IV
  • 2003 "Get It Together" #25 UK, #29 US Adult Contemporary, #41 Germany
  • 2003 "Love's Divine" #68 UK, #79 US, #11 AT, #4 France, #4 Germany, #68 NL, #34 New-Zealand, #43 SWE, #4 SWI
  • 2004 "Waiting for You" / "Love's Divine" #80 UK, #89 US

• from Best 1991-2004
  • 2005 "Walk On By" #49 Germany
  • 2005 "Killer 2005" #1 US Hot Dance Club Play

• from The Pursuit of Happyness Soundtrack
  • 2006 "A Father's Way"

• from System
  • 2007 "Amazing" #74 UK
  • 2008 "The Right Life"

Other songs:

• 1992 "Who Wants To Live Forever" (Freddie Mercury Tribute)
• 1992 "Let The Love Shine In"
• 1993 "Love Is Powerful" (JP only)
• 1993 "Manic Depression" (US promo) (with Jeff Beck)
• 1994 "How Do You Stop" (with Joni Mitchell)
• 1995 "Bird of Freedom" (from "Clockers" OST)
• 1996 "Hey Joe (live)" (from Set It Off soundtrack)
• 2001 "History" (with Outlawz)
• 2001 "Les Mots" #2 France (with Mylène Farmer - 500 000 copies sold in France)
• 2002 "You Are My Kind" (with Santana)
• 2003 "Mona Lisa" (from "Mona Lisa Smile" OST)
• 2004 "Life on Mars" (iTunes exclusive)
• 2006 "A Father's Way" (from the film The Pursuit of Happyness)

See also

• List of musicians with multiple self-titled albums
• List of number-one hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart

External links

• Seal.com
• Seal discography at MusicBrainz
• Seal at IMDb
• Seal's imeem page featuring his entire catalog
• Template:MySpace-music