Sade shares a rare insight into her family life in a new music video dedicated to her son Isaac

Sade celebrates his son, Isaac Adu.

In the new music video for his first single in six years titled “Young Lion”, released on Friday, November 22, the 65-year-old Nigerian-British music legend gives a rare insight into his family life. In the song’s lyrics, she also reveals her perspective as a mother raising a transgender son.

The singer croons, “Young man/It’s been so hard for you/You must have felt so alone” originally of the music video, which features footage of her and Isaac over time. There are shots of the “Paradise” singer holding her son as a baby, him playing outside as a baby, and plenty of of them living and growing up together in the UK where they live.

The lyrics of the song proceed to illuminate Sade’s feelings as she watches her son grow up and realize his gender identity.

“Forgive me, son. I must have known,” she sings at one point.

Elsewhere in the song, he sings, “You shine like the sun.”

At the tip of the four-minute video, a clip of adult Isaac appears, after which the video ends with the classic shot of mother and son embracing on the beach.

Sade first shared the song in October as a part of an AIDS nonprofit Red Hota special compilation of the album “Transa”, which was released on Friday, November 22. The compilation goals to bring awareness to the transgender community and features songs from each members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Other artists featured on the project include Andre 3000, Moses Sumney, Niecy Blues, Yaya Bey, Sam Smith and more.

I’m talking to Rolling Stone upon the song’s release, Isaac offered his response.

“Even though I didn’t have to forgive her for anything, the words, ‘Forgive me, son, I should have known,’ moved me,” he said. “My mother never tried to oppress the boy; Secretly, I always knew this was the case. She always let me be myself.”

He added: “I hope this will provide a sense of comfort, validation and a sense of being seen and understood.”

According to Sade, the song was inspired by a letter she gave Isaac on his twenty first birthday.

“I think a song where a parent apologizes for not understanding their child can be incredibly meaningful to the transgender community,” she said. “This song can serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder that parents can learn, grow, and ultimately accept their children for who they truly are.”

Sade, who shares Isaac with Jamaican record producer Bob Morgan, gave birth to their son in 1996. He is her only child.