Deeply tragic and utterly heartbreaking news, the great Irish poet and protest singer Shuhada' Sadaqat (Sinéad O'Connor) left us today.at the age of just 56 , Her family announced the news "with great sadness", saying "her family and friends are devastated". The cause of death has not been made public.
She was best known for her single Nothing Compares 2 U, released in 1990, which reached number one and brought her worldwide fame.
Taoiseach (Irish PM) Leo Varadkar said her music "was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched". Irish President Michael D Higgins praised O'Connor's "authenticity" as well as her "beautiful, unique voice". "What Ireland has lost at such a relatively young age is one of our greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers of recent decades, one who had a unique talent and extraordinary connection with her audience, all of whom held such love and warmth for her," he said.
Born Sinead Marie Bernadette O'Connor in Glenageary, County Dublin, on the 8th of December 1966, the singer had a difficult childhood. As a teenager,she was arrested for shoplifting and placed in Dublin's An Grianan Training Centre, once one of the notorious Magdalene laundries, originally set up to incarcerate young girls deemed to be promiscuous. She described the Centre, as a "prison" where the "girls cried every day". All those harrowing experiences, and ones yet to come, poured into her music
She released her first critically acclaimed album The Lion And The Cobra in 1987, which entered the top 40 in the UK and US. Her follow-up was I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, which included Nothing Compares 2 U. Written by Prince, the song reached number one around the world, including in the US and the UK.
Sinead O’Connor was a beautiful, courageous soul who wore her heart on her sleeve. She was before her time, a true trailblazer, an iconic musical talent. ranked among the most distinctive and controversial pop music stars of the alternative era - perhaps the most influential female performer of the 20th Century
Despite being a gifted creative, her talent was often overshadowed by her political activism, outspoken views, and later, sadly, by her struggles with mental health.Never a stranger to controversy, uncompromising, defiant, fearlessly brave, a friend of Palestine,with a voice pure and haunting. Her compulsion to speak the truth, whatever the cost, embodied her Irish rebel spirit, she touched the hearts of many, me included.
In 1992, Sinead O’Connor shocked the producers of Saturday Night Live when at the end of her performance, she tore up a photo of the pope to protest child sex abuse in the church. her career was totally derailed and the church’s abuse did not re-enter the national spotlight for another 10 years/
But with her fearless voice and outstanding bravery when calling out the Catholic Church and it's atrocities. she truly challenged an Ireland, and a world, that stifled women, children and anyone who didn't conform. Her power, anger, pain and fragility gave strength to many survivors to speak out.
Converting to Islam in 2018, the Dublin singer changed her name to Shuhada' Sadaqat,meaning “witness to truth” but continued to perform under her birth name. She released a memoir, Rememberings, in 2021.
In January 2022, her 17-year-old son Shane was found dead after being reported missing two days previously. Writing on social media following his death, she said he had "decided to end his earthly struggle" and requested "no-one follows his example". The singer later cancelled all live performances for the rest of 2022 due to her "continuing grief" following the death of her son. O'Connor paid tribute to Shane in one of her final tweets, calling him "the love of my life, the lamp of my soul, we were one soul in two halves"
O’Connor received the inaugural award for Classic Irish Album at the Irish RTÉ Choice Music Awards earlier this year.. Her speech was met with a standing ovation as she dedicated her win “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” to “each and every member of Ireland’s refugee community.” She added, “You’re very welcome in Ireland. I love you very much and I wish you happiness."
Without wishing to speculate on the cause of death, her passing is such a sad loss to many. I don't believe in idolising celebrities but Sinead had such raw talent, passion, with intense presence who battled her own personal demons against tragedy and adversity. courageously.She lived her life on her own terms and refused to conform Her music will live on and inspire further generations My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
Nothing will ever compare to her. Rest in power Sinéad (Shuhada) you will forever be in our hearts 💔
Sinéad O'Connor - Mandinka
Sinéad O'Connor - Downpressor Man
Shane MacGowan and Sinéad O’Connor - Haunted .
Sinead O'Connor - "Trouble of the World"
