Adele << uh DEHL >> (1988-…) is a popular British singer and songwriter known for her soulful singing voice. Adele’s second album, 21, released in 2011, became the longest-running number-one album by a female solo artist. It was also the top-selling album in the United States in 2011. 21 was named for Adele’s age at the time she recorded the album. Its first-released single, “Rolling in the Deep,” became a huge hit worldwide. Adele has won a number of Grammy Awards for her music.
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins was born on May 5, 1988, in London. She graduated from the BRIT School, a performing arts and technology school, in London in 2006. That same year, a record company noticed three songs recorded by Adele that were posted on the social networking website MySpace (now spelled Myspace). The company contacted her, and Adele was soon signed to a recording contract.
Adele’s first single, “Hometown Glory,” was released in 2007. It was included on her debut album, 19, released in 2008. 19 was named for Adele’s age at the time she was writing the album. 19 entered the British music charts at number one. The album’s second single, “Chasing Pavements,” also became a hit. Adele’s songs “Someone Like You” and “Set Fire to the Rain,” both from 21, were also hits. She co-wrote and sang the title song from the James Bond movie Skyfall (2012). It won an Academy Award for best original song. In 2015, Adele’s third album, 25, broke a record for the most sales in a week. 25 was named for Adele’s age at the time she wrote the album. The album’s single “Hello” became the first song to sell over 1 million downloads in a week.
After a nearly six-year break from recording, Adele released the single “Easy on Me” (2021). It became the most-streamed song in a single day on the music streaming service Spotify. The song was included on her album 30, released later that year.
