Born in London to a Nigerian mother and a West Indian father, Henry Samuel, aka Seal, first set foot on a stage in primary school. After studying architecture in university, he took on a number of jobs before deciding to try his luck as a singer in London clubs and bars. Seal's 1990 collaboration with house composer/producer Adamski resulted in the single Killer, an instant hit that helped launch his solo career. Released in 1991, his first eponymous album contained another chart-topping single, Crazy. From these auspicious beginnings, the artist continued climbing the top of the world charts with a string of solid pop-rock-dance records. With 2008's Soul , the singer treated himself to a selection of classic soul cuts like Stand by Me and People Get Ready. A second set of covers followed in 2012.