Vadé

Christian a cappella ensemble Vadé captured the top prize at the 2017 British television competition Sing: Ultimate a Cappella, which immediately secured them a recording contract with Decca. The London-based collective originated in 2013 when tenor Philip Yeboah conceived the project. Having encountered the future members at church gatherings, he assembled the lineup by enlisting fellow tenor Jermaine Sanderson, tenor Roy Crisp, baritone Joseph "Kojo" Anti, and Zimbabwean-born bass Joshua "JJ" Hammersley, Jr. The name Vadé derives from the Latin verb vāde, which the singers interpreted freely as “go together.” All five vocalists share a Christian faith rooted in church life and regard their work as an equal blend of music, ministry, and entertainment. Early performances centered on gospel settings, yet the group soon broadened its selections to R&B and jazz arrangements in order to reach listeners outside traditional Christian circles. Their exceptional skill allowed them to generate intricate vocal harmonies while simultaneously replicating instrumental and percussive textures. Learning of Sky TV’s upcoming a cappella contest, they submitted an application and, contrary to their own expectations, emerged victorious. Decca shortly afterward offered the group a deal. One Direction’s Niall Horan supplied their debut single, “Cry Your Heart Out.” The accompanying album, also titled Cry Your Heart Out, appeared in December 2017 and mixed covers of inspirational soul, pop, and R&B tracks with several sacred selections.