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| birthname = Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel
| birthname = Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel
| birthdate = {{birth date and age|1963|2|19}}
| birthdate = {{birth date and age|1963|2|19}}
| location = {{flagicon|UK}} [[London]], [[England]]
| location = {{flagicon|England}} [[London]], [[England]]
| deathdate =
| deathdate =
| deathplace =
| deathplace =

Revision as of 10:59, 30 January 2007

Seal Samuel
File:Seal ipod.jpg
Born
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel
Height6' 3½" (1.92 m)
SpouseHeidi Klum (May 10, 2005 - Present)

Seal Samuel (born February 19, 1963 in London, England) is a three-time Grammy Award-winning Afro-European soul vocalist and songwriter. He is professionally known only by his first name, Seal.

Early life

Born Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel, in London, England, his parents were Adebisi Samuel, a Nigerian immigrant, and Francis Samuel, an African-Brazilian immigrant. A childhood battle with discoid lupus left him with distinctive facial scarring and hair loss [1]. He studied architecture and engineering in school.

Music career

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 "premix" 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"[2]. 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

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", and received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. 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

Four years after the release of his previous album came Human Being, in 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 Bros. 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, which was again self-titled, except for Australia, where it was released under Seal IV. Though it did not sell as much as either of his first two albums, this release brought him back into the public eye in the United States and continental Europe. Singles from the album include "Waiting For You", "Get It Together", and "Love's Divine" (released in 2004).

Greatest Hits Album: Best 1991-2004

In 2004 a greatest hits album, entitled Seal: Best 1991-2004 was released, including a cover of the Bacharach / David classic "Walk on By" and a cover of Echo and the Bunnymen 's song "Lips Like Sugar."

Live In Paris

Also in 2004, Seal performed a couple of shows at the Olympia Theatre in Paris, France. The July 6 show was recorded and released about one year after as CD/DVD package, simply titled Live In Paris.

One Night To Remember

In June 2005 Seal recorded a special concert which was subsequently released in 2006 entitled One Night To Remember as CD/DVD whereby the DVD includes a special "the making of" documentary in addition to the live performance. Recorded in a historic steel mill, the Altes Kesselhaus ('old boiler house'), in Düsseldorf, Germany, this 16-track package includes a special version of Brahms' Lullaby which Seal sings in German and then in English for the exclusive audience. Unusually, he is accompanied by his band, and a full orchestra comprised of 52 musicians and singers.

Personal life

Seal had a long-term relationship with German supermodel, Tatjana Patitz. Seal then began dating supermodel Heidi Klum in 2004, shortly after her split with musician John Mayer. He eagerly took on parenting duties of her baby daughter Leni, a product of Klum's previous relationship with Italian businessman Flavio Briatore.

Seal briefly dated supermodel Tyra Banks

On January 4, 2005 Seal and Klum announced their engagement. [3] The couple married in May of that year, and their son, Henry Günther Ademola Dashtu Samuel, was born in Los Angeles on September 12, 2005. Their second son, Johan Riley Fyodor Taiwo Samuel, was born in Los Angeles on November 22, 2006. Seal posted on both his and Heidi's site the following: "To our children, a brother. To our parents, a grandson. To my wife and I, a son. To our family, a blessing. He is healthy, beautiful and looks just like his mother."

Other

On January 10, 2005 Seal criticized rappers in a magazine interview for portraying women negatively in both their videos and lyrics.

Seal at one time was reportedly being considered for the role of Solari in the recent James Bond film, Casino Royale. However, the role was played by another actor.

He has a younger brother, Jeymes Samuel, who is also a singer and musician.

Discography

Albums

Singles

  • from Seal (1991)
    • 1990 "Crazy" #2 UK, #7 US, #9 AUS, #2 Germany
    • 1991 "Future Love EP" - featuring "Future Love Paradise" #12 UK, #46 AUS, #16 Germany
    • 1991 "The Beginning" #24 UK, #39 Germany
    • 1991 "Killer" #8 UK, #100 US, #95 AUS
    • 1992 "Violet" #39 UK
  • from Seal (1994)
    • 1994 "Prayer for the Dying" #14 UK, #21 US, #56 AUS, #62 Germany
    • 1994 "Newborn Friend" #45 UK
    • 1994 "Kiss from a Rose" #1 US, #20 UK, #87 AUS
    • 1996 "Don't Cry" #33 US, #51 UK
  • from Batman Forever Soundtrack
    • 1995 "If I Could" (US promo)
    • 1995 "Kiss From a Rose" / "I'm Alive" (re-issue) #4 UK, #1 US, #1 AUS, #11 Germany
  • from Human Being (1998)
    • 1998 "Human Beings" #50 UK, #96 Germany
    • 1998 "Latest Craze"
    • 1999 "Lost My Faith"
  • from Seal IV (2003)
    • 2003 "Get It Together" #25 UK, #41 Germany
    • 2003 "Waiting for You" #89 US
    • 2004 "Love's Divine" #68 UK, #79 US, #4 France, #4 Germany

Other songs:

See also

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