Adele stands out as an extraordinary pop star; with her curvier figure and mezzo-contralto voice she represents the girl-next-door with real talent. However, her immense fame and success come at the cost of an increasingly complex personal life.
She took command of a stage at O2, with a spotlight illuminating a frame around her and highlighting earrings and a gold pendant that could only have come from nature itself.
Born on May 5, 1988 in Tottenham
Adele has found critical and public praise for her soulful voice and catchy hits, which have propelled her into over 30 countries where she has reached number one on charts, earning her many top awards along the way. But who is Adele as an individual?
Adele began her music career at an early age. She started writing songs and sharing them on MySpace before being discovered by a talent scout who signed her to XL Records.
Her debut album, 19, was released in 2008 and quickly became an instantaneous success in both Britain and America. Her unique blend of pop and soul music has resonated with millions of listeners around the globe.
Raised in a single-parent family
Adele is an international superstar, garnering her legions of fans with her mezzo-contralto voice and emotive songwriting.
Adele left public school at 14 to attend the Brit School, honing her craft alongside other musicians like Leona Lewis and Amy Winehouse. Later she uploaded demos of her songs online which caught XL Recordings’ eye and soon thereafter signed them as clients.
The label put significant time, money and faith into her. Her debut album 19 (her age when recording it) became an instantaneous hit and helped cement her place as an international star – even earning multiple nominations at Grammys.
Released her first album in 2009
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins first made headlines with the release of her 2008 debut album 19, featuring “Chasing Pavements” and “Make You Feel My Love.” This release proved to be an enormous success, garnering her the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
In 2011, she conquered the charts with 21 and quickly rose to become one of the most beloved artists worldwide. Since then, she has released four more albums: 25 and 30.
Adele is known for blending classic soul music, confessional songwriting and pop polish into one seamless whole. Her powerful ballads and unique voice have propelled Adele into global superstar status; she has sold millions of albums worldwide and is widely considered to be one of the greatest female musicians ever.
Released her second album in 2011
Adele cemented her place among pop’s premier voices with the release of 21, her sophomore album. While some artists might fall prey to what’s been termed the sophomore turd syndrome, Adele managed to avoid such fate and produce an album worthy of joining classics such as Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black in terms of sound and longevity.
“Rolling in the Deep” and “Rumour Has It,” both featuring low thrums and driving guitar strums, set an emotional and introspective tone for this deeply personal work that tackles themes such as heartbreak, forgiveness and reigniting lost romance.
21 is an evolution from 19 that showcases Adele’s maturing voice. Tracks such as Hello and A Million Years display her fond remembrances of past loves while longing for future ones.
Released her third album in 2013
Adele took three years off after 21 and released her third album, 25 in 2015. It quickly became one of 2015’s best-selling records both domestically and abroad.
The album serves as a personal reflection on her divorce and loss of childhood, along with themes of yearning and nostalgia.
Adele’s third studio album 19 (named for her age at creation) and widely hailed as blue-eyed soul for a new generation is being eagerly anticipated by both fans and music industry insiders alike. In an interview with i-D, Adele discussed its collaborators and songwriting inspirations – something first heard on her 2008 debut LP of that name (named after its creation) when released. Here again her delicate but bold execution can be heard front and center here.
Released her fourth album in 2016
Adele made waves in music after winning several Grammy awards and breaking sales records with her previous albums, so after taking an extended hiatus of six years she decided to release another record. Now back with us is Adele with another album which should prove just as successful!
30 is more subdued in comparison to her prior blockbusters, exploring themes of emotional vulnerability while less focussing on finding revenge than finding redemption.
Songs on this album encompass multiple genres, including jazz and soul. Piano improvisations by late American jazz pianist Erroll Garner add a sophisticated edge, while Adele’s vocal power highlights beautiful harmonies on every track.