Seal (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Seal
Samuel in Sydney, 2012
Background information
Birth name	Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel
Also known as	Sealhenry Samuel
Born	(1963-02-19) 19 February 1963 (age 62) Paddington, London, England
Genres	Soul folk pop dance rock
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter record producer
Years active	1987–present
Labels	ZTT Sire Warner Bros. Reprise Decca
Spouse(s)	Heidi Klum ​ ​ (m. 2005; div. 2014)​
Children	4
Awards	Full list

Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel (born in London, England, on 19 February 1963), known simply as Seal, is a famous English singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has won many awards, including three Brit Awards, four Grammy Awards, and an MTV Video Music Award. By 2011, he had sold over 20 million albums and singles worldwide.

Seal became well-known after signing with Trevor Horn's ZTT Records. His first album, Seal (1991), was a big hit. It included popular songs like "Crazy" and "Killer". Both songs were very successful in the UK and the US. His 1994 song, "Kiss from a Rose", became a number one hit in the US. This happened after it was featured in the movies The NeverEnding Story III and Batman Forever.

"Kiss from a Rose" was from Seal's second album, also called Seal (1994). This album, like his first, topped the UK Albums Chart. Seal has continued to release successful albums throughout his career. As a songwriter, he has won two Ivor Novello Awards for "Killer" and "Crazy". He also served as a coach on The Voice Australia in 2012, 2013, and 2017.

Early Life and Education

Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel was born on 19 February 1963. He was born at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London. His mother, Adebisi Ogundeji, was Nigerian, and his father, Francis Samuel, was Afro-Brazilian. Seal was raised by a foster family in Westminster, London. He studied architecture and worked different jobs in London before starting his music career.

Seal's Music Journey

Starting His Career

In the 1980s, Seal began singing in local clubs and bars. In 1987, he joined a British funk band called Push and toured Japan with them. He later joined a blues band in Thailand before traveling alone in India. When he returned to England, he met producer Adamski. Seal provided the lyrics and vocals for Adamski's song "Killer".

Becoming a Star in the 1990s

The song "Killer" became a number one hit in the UK. After this success, Seal signed with ZTT Records. He released his first album, Seal, in 1991. This album was produced by Trevor Horn. Critics really liked the album.

Songs like "Crazy", "Future Love Paradise", and his own version of "Killer" did very well on the music charts. "Crazy" became a worldwide hit in 1991. It reached number two in the UK and number seven in the US. At the 1992 Brit Awards, Seal won three awards. He won Best British Male, Best British Video for "Killer", and Best British Album for Seal. This was the first time an artist won three awards at the event.

In 1992, Seal contributed a song to the Red Hot + Dance CD. This album featured artists like George Michael and Madonna. All the money raised helped charities fighting the AIDS epidemic. Seal also sang on a cover of "Manic Depression" for a Jimi Hendrix tribute album in 1993. He also sang on a cover of John Lennon's "Imagine" for Herbie Hancock's album in 2010.

Seal worked with Trevor Horn again for his second album, also called Seal, released in 1994. This album was also very successful. It included the songs "Prayer for the Dying" and "Newborn Friend". The album was even nominated for a Grammy Award. "Prayer for the Dying" was a minor hit in the US.

A third song from the album, "Kiss from a Rose", became much more popular later. This happened when it was remixed for the movie soundtrack of Batman Forever. "Kiss from a Rose" won two Grammy Awards in 1996: Record of the Year and Song of the Year. It became Seal's biggest hit in the US, reaching number one in August 1995, and number four in the UK.

In 1998, Seal released Human Being. This album came out during a challenging time in his life. Even though some critics didn't like it much at first, it quickly sold well enough to be certified gold in the US. The album had two singles: "Human Beings" and "Lost My Faith".

Music in the 2000s

In 2001, Seal planned to release an album called Togetherland. However, the album was never officially released. One song from it, "This Could Be Heaven", was released in the US and appeared on The Family Man movie soundtrack. Seal also sang on the hit song "My Vision" by Jakatta in 2002. He also recorded a duet with French singer Mylène Farmer called "Les Mots" around the same time. In 2002, Seal also sang on the song "You Are My Kind" for Santana's album Shaman.

In 2003, Seal released his fourth album, Seal IV. While it didn't sell as much as his first two albums, it brought him back into the public eye. Songs from this album included "Waiting for You", "Get It Together", and "Love's Divine". "Love's Divine" was a big hit in many European countries in 2004.

A "greatest hits" album, Best 1991–2004, came out in 2004. It featured covers of "Walk On By" and "Lips Like Sugar". There was also a special version with acoustic (unplugged) versions of his hits. In 2004, Seal performed concerts in Paris. One of these shows was recorded and released as a CD/DVD called Live in Paris.

In 2005, Seal recorded another concert, One Night to Remember, released in 2006. This CD/DVD included a "making of" video. The concert was recorded in an old steel mill in Germany. Seal sang a version of Brahms' Lullaby in German and English. Unlike his usual shows, a full orchestra and choir joined him.

Seal performing in 2008

Seal's album System was released in 2007. Seal described it as more dance-oriented, similar to his first album. On the song "Wedding Day", Seal sang with his then-wife, model Heidi Klum. The first song from the album, "Amazing", was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Seal performed "Amazing" and the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" at the 2007 Royal Variety Performance. He also performed "Amazing" and "Wedding Day" with Heidi Klum at the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

Seal's sixth studio album, Soul, was released in 2008. It features 11 classic soul songs produced by David Foster. The first song released from it was a cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come". In 2009, Seal performed a song from the album on the German TV show Deutschland sucht den Superstar. A compilation album called Hits was released in December 2009, including two new songs.

Seal in the 2010s

Seal in 2011

Seal's seventh studio album, Seal 6: Commitment, was released in 2010. The first song, "Secret", came out in August 2010. This album was said to be inspired by his wife, Heidi. In 2011, Seal released his second album of classic soul covers, Soul 2.

Seal as a TV Coach

In 2012, Seal became one of the four vocal coaches on the first season of The Voice Australia. He coached the winner of that season, Karise Eden. Seal returned for season two of The Voice in 2013 and coached the winner again, Harrison Craig. He took a break in 2014 to focus on new music. In 2016, it was announced that Seal would return to The Voice as a coach in 2017.

Charity and Other Projects

On 15 November 2014, Seal joined the charity group Band Aid 30. They recorded a new version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" to raise money for the Ebola crisis in West Africa. Seal also played Pontius Pilate in Tyler Perry's musical The Passion, which aired on Fox in 2016.

Seal worked on a new album, which was eventually named 7, released in November 2015. He also released the album Standards in November 2017. This album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

Seal in the 2020s

Seal announced a North American tour for 2023 with Trevor Horn as the musical director. He also released a new version of "Kiss from a Rose" digitally in February 2023. In 2022, Seal launched his own special edition camera with Leica, called the Q2 Dawn camera.

Seal's Personal Life

The noticeable scars on Seal's face are from a skin condition called discoid lupus erythematosus. Seal's brother, Jeymes Samuel, also known as the Bullitts, is also a singer-songwriter.

Seal began dating German model Heidi Klum in February 2004. They got married on 10 May 2005, on a beach in Mexico. During their marriage, Seal and Klum renewed their vows every year. Seal said it was a special moment for them to read vows to each other as the sun set. In 2009, Klum officially took Seal's last name.

Seal adopted Heidi Klum's daughter, Leni, in 2009. He is her only father figure. The couple also had three other children: two sons, Henry and Johan, and a daughter named Lou. On 22 January 2012, Seal and Klum announced they were separating. Their divorce was finalized in October 2014.

Helping Others: Charity Work

In April 1992, Seal performed with the remaining members of Queen at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. This concert was held at London's Wembley Stadium to honor Freddie Mercury after his death. Seal sang the Queen hit "Who Wants to Live Forever" and joined other artists for the finale, singing "We Are the Champions". Many people remember Seal's performance of "Who Wants to Live Forever" as a very moving moment.

On 10 March 2012, Seal performed at Brad Pitt's Night to Make It Right Foundation New Orleans after-party. This event raised money to build homes for people affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Other Projects

• In 2003, he sang the song "Mona Lisa" for the movie Mona Lisa Smile.
• Seal and his then-wife Heidi Klum announced in 2010 that they would make a reality TV series called Love's Divine.
• Seal was a judge for the Independent Music Awards, which helps independent artists.
• In 2016, Seal played himself in the movie Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. In the film, he jokingly says his facial scars are from meeting wolves.
• In 2017, Seal was a guest judge on America's Got Talent. He used his Golden Buzzer for singer Johnny Manuel.
• Seal competed on the second season of The Masked Singer as "Leopard" and finished in fourth place.
• Seal worked with Claptone on the song "Just A Ghost" in 2021.
• Seal lent his voice to the 2021 animated film Seal Team. He voiced a singing cape fur seal named Seal Seal.
• In 2022, Seal appeared on the French version of The Masked Singer, singing "With or Without You" by U2.
• Seal also appeared in the 2022 movie Me Time, performing at a party.

Discography

Studio albums

• Seal (1991)
• Seal ("Seal II") (1994)
• Human Being (1998)
• Seal IV (2003)
• System (2007)
• Soul (2008)
• Seal 6: Commitment (2010)
• Soul 2 (2011)
• 7 (2015)
• Standards (2017)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Seal para niños

• Brazilians in the United Kingdom
• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
• List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
• Lists of Billboard number-one singles