Other meanings of Adele
Music
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins MBE (born 5 May 1988), known mononymously as Adele, is an English singer-songwriter. She is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 120 million records sold worldwide. Her albums 21 and 25 each won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and her single "Rolling in the Deep" became a global phenomenon. Known for her powerful mezzo-soprano voice and emotive ballads, Adele has been praised by critics for her songwriting and vocal delivery.
Adele was born in Tottenham, London, to an English mother and a Welsh father. She grew up listening to the Spice Girls and later discovered Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald, who influenced her vocal style. She attended the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology, where she graduated in 2006. Her demo was posted on MySpace, leading to a record deal with XL Recordings. Her debut album, 19, released in 2008, earned her the Brit Awards Critics' Choice and the Grammy for Best New Artist.
Her second album, 21 (2011), was inspired by a failed relationship and became the best-selling album of the 21st century in the UK. Singles like "Someone Like You" and "Rolling in the Deep" topped charts worldwide. 25 (2015) continued her success, with the lead single "Hello" breaking records for digital sales. Both albums won Album of the Year at the Grammys, making Adele the first female artist to achieve this twice. Her third album, 30 (2021), explored themes of divorce and motherhood.
Adele's music blends soul, pop, and R&B, often featuring piano-driven ballads. Her mezzo-soprano voice is noted for its depth and emotional range. She has cited influences such as Aretha Franklin and Amy Winehouse. Critics have compared her to classic soul singers, and her success has been credited with revitalizing the traditional ballad in the digital age. She has also been recognized for her refusal to conform to industry norms, such as declining to release singles from 25 for streaming exclusivity.
Beyond her chart records, Adele has a history of stage mishaps, including falling during a 2016 concert in Gothenburg, which she handled with humor. She is a private person, rarely giving interviews, and has spoken about her struggles with anxiety and stage fright. She has a tattoo of the word "Paradise" on her wrist, inspired by her son. Adele has also been involved in philanthropy, donating to charities supporting homelessness and fire relief. In 2022, she became the first artist to have an album certified Diamond by the RIAA in the US for 21.
Adele's full name is Adele Laurie Blue Adkins; she uses the mononym Adele professionally.
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