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Seal Information
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'Seal' (born February 19, 1963) is a British soul vocalist.
Born 'Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adelo Samuel', in Paddington, England, his parents were Adebisi Samuel, a Nigerian immigrant, and Francis Samuel, a Brazilian immigrant. A childhood bout of lupus left him with distinctive facial scarring. After school, he studied architecture and engineering.
Music Career
First Album 'Seal'
As the featured vocalist on the Adamski single, "Killer", Seal became a hot property 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 "" version and a second, more common, version with an updated mix. This is attributed to the demands 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.
Seal II Album
His second album, again self-titled, was released in 1994. A critical success, the album featured the singles "Prayer for the Dying" and "Newborn Friend". 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".
Human Being Album
Four years after the release of his previous album came Human Being (album) 1998. The album was the product of a turbulent few years, including a split, and later reconciliation with producer Horn, which also saw Seal's departure from ZTT Records and his signing with Warner Brothers Records in 1997. At one point Stewart Levine was set to produce the album, only to be replaced by Horn. It was critically panned upon its release and its sales were lackluster. The album provided three singles, "Human Beings", "Latest Craze", and "Lost My Faith".
Failed Album: 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 in its entirety. The official word was that Seal simply didn't think it made the grade, though this conflicts with other reports that said the album was turned down by the label which felt that it wouldn't be commercially successful.
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.
Seal IV
In 2003 Seal released his fourth album, "Seal IV". Though it didn't chart as high as either of his first two albums, this release brought him back into the public eye in USA and continental Europe. Singles from the album include "Waiting For You" (2003), "Get It Together" (2003), and "Love's Divine" (2004).
Greatest Hits Album
In 2004 a greatest hits album, entitled "Seal: Best 1991-2004" was released, including a cover of the Bacharach / David classic "Walk on By".
Personal Life
On January 4 2005 Seal announced his engagement to German supermodel and actress Heidi Klum. The couple married in May of that year, and Klum gave birth to a baby boy named Henry Günther Ademola Dashtu Samuel in Los Angeles on September 12, 2005.
On January 10, 2005 Seal criticized rappers in a magazine interview for portraying women negatively in both their videos and lyrics.
Discography
Albums
*1991 Seal (1991) (ZTT/Sire Records) #1 UK
*1994 Seal (1994) (ZTT Zang Tuum Tumb) #1 UK, #15 US
*1998 Human Being (Sire Records) #22 US
*2003 Seal IV (2003) (Sire Records) #4 UK, #3 US
*2004 Best 1991-2004 (Warner Bros. Records) (compilation) #27 UK
*2005 Live In Paris (Warner Bros. Records) (Live DVD + Live CD)
Singles
* from "Seal (1991)"
** 1991 "Future Love EP" #12 UK
** 1991 "The Beginning" #24 UK
** 1991 "Killer EP" #8 UK
** 1992 "Violet" #39 UK
* from "Seal (1994)"
** 1994 "Prayer for the Dying" #14 UK, #21 US
** 1994 "Kiss From a Rose" #20 UK
* from Batman Forever soundtrack
** 1995 "Kiss From a Rose/I'm Alive" (re-issue) #4 UK, #1 US
* from "Seal (1994)"
** 1996 "Don't Cry" #33 US
* from "Space Jam" soundtrack
** 1997 "Fly Like an Eagle" #13 UK, #10 US
* from "Seal (2003)"
** 2003 "Get It Together" #25 UK
** 2003 "Waiting For You"
| 'Year' | 'Title' | 'Chart Positions' | 'Album' | | US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | UK Singles Chart | | 1991 | "Crazy" | #7 | #5 | #2 | Seal [1991] |
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