When the Red Hot Organization announced that their latest compilation, TRAИƧA, would be dedicated to the members of the trans community, it came with its share of surprises. The biggest surprise, however, is that it includes “Young Lion,” the first new music from legendary artist Sade Adu since the Sade song “The Big Unknown” came out in 2018. Now that Red Hot has released a sampler for the outing, we get to hear the poignant track in full.
“Young Lion” is in tribute to the singer’s son, Izaak Adu, who came out as trans in 2016. The song serves as both an expression of love and an apology as she intimates her feelings for him and the man who he is now. Rather than overembellish things here, she relies on mostly piano, drums and her own voice to give the song heartfelt sentimentality that could only be exchanged between mother and child.
“Young man, it’s been so heavy for you / You must have felt so alone / The anguish and pain / I should’ve known,” she somberly begins the song. “With such a heavy burden / You had to carry all on your own / Forgive me, son / I should’ve known.” However, though she highlights her shortcomings, she immediately steps into the light of acceptance on the chorus, singing, “So close your eyes (arms open wide) / And feel the light (arms open wide) / You shine like a sun / Young gun, see how far you’ve come.”
This record is sure to be special for Sade Adu fans, but it perhaps means much more to Izaak. He expressed his appreciation to Rolling Stone, telling the publication, “My mum never tried to oppress the boy I silently always knew I was. She always let me be me.”
“Young Lion” appears alongside contributions from Andre 3000, Wendy and Lisa, Lauren Auder, Beverly Glenn-Copeland, L’Rain and more on the newly released TRAИƧA: Selects sampler. These tracks will also be included on the full 46-song collection set for release on Friday, November 22nd.
Stream Sade Adu’s “Young Lion” and the TRAИƧA: Selects sampler in full below.
Various Artists TRAИƧA: Selects [Amazon][Apple Music][Bandcamp][TIDAL]
