AFTER SPENDING THE SUMMER TOURING EUROPE, THE MULTIPLATINUM SELLING ARTIST EMBARKS ON A THREE-WEEK NORTH AMERICAN RUN THAT CONCLUDES AT THE JERSEY SHORE

BY JON DOMENICK
PHOTO BY JOONEY WOODWARD

Born Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel to Nigerian and Brazilian parents in a London hospital, Seal began his musical career in 1990 with the release of his debut hit single “Crazy” off the 1991 self-titled album. Since that single, which peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, he has released nine solo studio albums and two compilation albums, including his most recent effort, 2015’s Seal 7. A world tour in support of that album is taking him to the UK, France, Spain, Finland, Monaco, and beyond, before he heads stateside to the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida to begin the North American leg on August 18. The Borgata is scheduled to be his final stop.

A man of the world, Seal actually received a diploma in architecture but instead spent the ’80s singing in local clubs and bars. It was during this time he joined the London band Push, traveling with them to Japan and kicking off extensive travels. In Thailand, he joined a blues band, then separated from that outfit to journey throughout India on his own. He returned to England and, while sleeping on the couch of a friend, met producer Adamski, who helped launch his solo career when he gave Seal the lyrics to what would become the song “Killer,” one of his most successful tracks.

Adept at fusing soul, R&B, folk, pop, dance, and rock, the 6’3″ star, at 53, has achieved international success, in part by cultivating a suave, urbane image. (His facial scars, long the subject of conjecture, are a result of discoid lupus erythematosus, which affects the skin.) His first U.K. hit was “Killer,” followed by his debut album in 1991, which sold 1.2 million units.

Seal’s signature song, the smash hit “Kiss from a Rose,” appeared on his second eponymous album, released in 1994. That song was part of the Batman Forever soundtrack and became a number-one pop and adult contemporary hit. In addition to various British awards, the ballad won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Video in 1995. The next year, it won Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Seal continued his success with a cover of the Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like an Eagle,” off the 1996 Space Jam soundtrack. More recently, his cover of Donny Hathaway’s 1970 classic “This Christmas” soared to Number 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart in January. His 11 albums have earned multiple gold and platinum certifications all over the world, selling more than 30 million worldwide.

Seal has four children with model, entrepreneur, and TV personality Heidi Klum, whom he was married to from 2005-2012. He was also a coach on The Voice Australia in 2012 and 2013.

Seal
At Borgata’s Event Center 8:00 P.M., Sunday, September 4
One Borgata Way / Atlantic City / 609.317.1000 / theborgata.com