In reply to kevin.

Not the same. Sade was consistent for the first decade of her career. She released new albums every few years, building up a body of work that made her credible with both fans and the industry. It was in part because she worked steadily from 1984 to 1993 that she cemented status as an icon and built up a large stable of enduring fans who're willing to wait on her to the point where she can now take decade long hiatuses and come back to love and affection.

Great as Lauryn's music was, she hasn't built up a big enough body of work that gives her credit and wiggle room to go away for long stretches and then come back to a welcome. It takes at least three successful studio albums to prove that you're not just a flash in the pan, and to give you an idea of how devoted your fans are.