Adele

“I’ve always liked being the center of attention, yes.” Though successful singer-songwriter Adele said these words laughingly, they are paramount to her success.

As a girl belting out lyrics to the Spice Girls in her north London home and performing Destiny’s Child songs at her Tottingham elementary school, Adele—born Adele Laurie Blue Adkins – always knew she wanted to be a singer. Though her initial plan was to scout perspective talent, not be it- Adele’s friend took a copy of a demo she’d recorded and uploaded it to Myspace. This move helped Adele receive plenty of recognition, and eventually a call from XL Recordings, who signed her in 2006.

Adele released two singles in 2007: “Hometown Glory” and “Chasing Pavement”, the latter was so successful that it earned her a Grammy Award the following year (2009) for Best New Artist. 

In January of 2008 Adele released her first studio album “19.” “My debut album is about being between 18 and 19; about love,” she says. “’Daydreamer” is about this boy I was in love with, like proper in love with. He was bi, and I couldn’t deal with that. All the things I wanted from a boyfriend, he was never going to be…It’s quite a sad album.”

Adele has kept fans anxiously waiting for even a glimmer of new material. On January 24, 2011 in the United Kingdom (February 22 here!), Adele released her second studio album, "21" to the joy of her fans.

The traditional sound of Adele has been tweaked a bit in this second album, due in part to her bus driver listening to country music while she was on tour, but it is still her signature passionate trait. Adele’s single “Rolling in the Deep” has being holding the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 for many weeks now.

On Monday, July 4, Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain" will be the next single released on her sophomore album. She hopes that it will be another big hit among fans.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen if my music career goes wrong. I haven’t had a proper job yet.” Adele says. Luckily for her, it doesn’t look like she will ever need a “proper” job.

Check out her website here.