On “Young Lion,” Sade‘s first song in six years and her contribution to the upcoming Transa compilation, the artist apologizes to her son, Izaak, for not understanding him better when he began transitioning genders. “Young man, I feel so heavy for you, you must have felt so alone,” she sings over a slow piano line and cinematic strings. “The anguish and pain, I should have known.” By the chorus, she recognizes his journey: “Young gun, see how far you’ve come.”
Izaak Adu, Sade’s son, recently told Rolling Stone that “Young Lion” meant the world to him. “Though there was nothing I needed to forgive her for, the lyrics ‘Forgive me, son, I should have known,’ struck a chord,” he says via email. “My mum never tried to oppress the boy; I silently always knew I was. She always let me be me.”
“Young Lion” adds gravity and understanding to Transa, a new compilation celebrating trans people that the Red Hot Organization produced. The expansive, nearly four-hour album will come out digitally on Nov. 22, but Sade’s contribution, along with others by André 3000, Sam Smith, Beverly Glenn-Copeland, Lauren Auder, and more, is coming out first on Transa: Selects, a newly released sampler EP that’s available digitally and on vinyl. Transa: Selects is available to purchase or stream now.
Sade got involved in the comp when one of the producers, Massima Bell, who is trans, wrote her a personal letter. “The support you’ve publicly given your son has been transformative,” Bell wrote. “I know that I would have had an easier experience navigating my own coming out if my family could have seen examples of support like yours. I feel that you’re in a unique position to be able to help shape a narrative that supports and uplifts trans people.” When Bell finally heard the song, she was overwhelmed. “I was in tears because it just was so,” she told Rolling Stone. “Her voice felt so charged.”
Izaak’s reaction to the song is a lot like Bell’s. “I thought, ‘Wow, incredible, she’s done it again,’” he says. “Though initially meant as a personal ‘letter,’ written for my 21st birthday, I think the world must hear it.”
Although he says coming out didn’t “drastically alter” his relationship with his mother, he also recognizes what the song could mean to trans people who need some understanding, especially since parents aren’t always as open minded as Sade. “I think that a song where a parent apologizes for misunderstanding their child can hold immense significance for the trans community,” he says. “For many individuals who are transgender, coming out can be met with misunderstanding and, at times, rejection.
“Hearing a song where a parent acknowledges their mistakes and expresses remorse for not fully understanding their child’s identity may be incredibly validating and healing,” he continues. “This song may serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder that parents can learn, grow, and ultimately accept their children for who they truly are. I hope it can offer a sense of comfort, validation, and a feeling of being seen and understood.”
At a Transa listening session, the artist Kaye Loggins, who is trans and records as Time Wharp and contributed a song to the Red Hot comp, said she wished her parents would have been as accepting. “Just tonally, lyrically, thematically, I think it’s so powerful,” she said. “You never get that catharsis of your parent putting themselves where they were at the time [before you came out], realizing the mistakes and genuinely apologizing for them. I know personally that would mean a lot to me, so I’m biased, but it’s exceedingly rare to have that kind of understanding.”
Izaak says that coming out to his mother afforded him “a sense of relief that I no longer had to carry this heavy weight inside of me and I could finally live authentically.”
Sade wrote the song with Aaron Taylor Dean and Ben Travers. Suzy Pela played piano, and Madison Claridge handled the drums. Transa’s organizers said that she was also instrumental in getting some of the other performers, including André 3000, on the compilation simply by asking if he was sending a song. His track is a 26-minute avant-garde flute composition.
By collecting contributions from artists who are trans and others who are allies (Sade, André 3000, Jeff Tweedy, and many others), the Red Hot Organization has positioned Transa as a possible gateway to understanding for the trans community. Izaak Adu says he’s excited about the possibilities.
“A compilation like Transa has the potential to have a significant impact on both trans people and those who are still learning about what being trans means,” he says. “For people who are trans, Transa can serve as a source of representation, validation, and support. It can provide a platform for trans individuals to share their experiences, stories, and perspectives, helping to amplify their voices and promote understanding and acceptance within the trans community. For people who are still learning about what ‘trans’ means, I hope Transa can be a source of education, offering insights into the diverse experiences and challenges faced by trans individuals.
“I hope it can help to break down stereotypes, misconceptions, and stigma surrounding trans identities,” he continues. “Ultimately, a compilation like Transa has the potential to promote greater visibility, representation, and awareness of the trans community, helping to create a more inclusive and understanding society for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity. By sharing diverse perspectives and stories, Transa can contribute to a more inclusive and accepting world where everyone is valued and respected for who they are.”
Transa: Selects track list:
1. Sade Adu, “Young Lion”
2. Lauren Auder + Wendy & Lisa of the Revolution, “I Would Die 4 U”
3. L’Rain featuring the NYC Trans Oral History Project, “People Are Small/Rapture”
4. Sam Smith and Beverly Glenn-Copeland, “Ever New”
5. André 3000, “Something Is Happening and I May Not Fully Understand but I’m Happy to Stand for the Understanding”
