Seal is a renowned English singer/songwriter who made his mark in the U.K. house music scene in 1990, establishing himself as the most popular British soul vocalist of the decade. His music evolved from acid house to a unique blend of soul, folk, pop, dance, and rock, earning him acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Seal’s early success was evident with awards like the Ivor Novello Award for his debut single and three Grammy Awards shortly after. His chart-topping singles like ‘Crazy’ and ‘Kiss from a Rose’ and albums boasting gold and platinum certifications worldwide, including ‘Soul’ (2008) and ‘7’ (2015), solidified his status as a music icon. In 2017, he topped the jazz albums chart with a collection of pop standards recorded at Capitol Studios, followed by a special reissue commemorating the 30th anniversary of his multi-platinum ‘Seal’ album in 2024.
Born Sealhenry Samuel in 1963 to Nigerian and Brazilian parents, Seal grew up in England and pursued an architectural degree before venturing into music. Starting his musical journey in local clubs, he later joined bands like ‘Push’ and explored genres like funk and blues during his travels through Asia and India. Seal’s breakthrough came in 1990 when he collaborated with producer Adamski on the hit single ‘Killer,’ winning critical acclaim and an Ivor Novello Award. Signing a solo deal with ZTT, Seal released his debut self-titled album in 1991, featuring the chart-topping single ‘Crazy.’ Subsequent albums like ‘Seal II’ and ‘Human Being’ showcased his diverse musical range, with the iconic track ‘Kiss from a Rose’ from ‘Seal II’ earning him three Grammy Awards. Amidst personal milestones like marrying Heidi Klum and collaborative projects, Seal’s musical journey continued with albums like ‘Soul’ (2008), ‘Commitment’ (2010), and ‘Standards’ (2017), each reflecting his timeless artistry and versatile vocal talent.