Adele Laurie Blue Adkins[3] MBE (born 5 May 1988) is a British singer-songwriter.[4] Adele was offered a recording contract from XL Recordings after a friend posted her demo on Myspace in 2006. The next year she received the Brit Awards "Critics' Choice" award and won the BBC Sound of 2008. Her debut album, 19, was released in 2008 to commercial and critical success. It certified four times platinum in the UK, and double platinum in the US.[5][6] Her career in the US was boosted by a Saturday Night Live appearance in late 2008. At the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, Adele received the awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.[7]
Adele released her second studio album, 21, in early 2011.[8][9] The album was well received critically and surpassed the success of her début,[10] earning the singer six Grammy Awards in 2012 including Album of the Year, equalling the record for most Grammy Awards won by a female artist in one night.[11] The album has also led to her receiving numerous other awards, including two Brit Awards and three American Music Awards. The album has been certified 16 times platinum in the UK;[5] in the US the album has held the top position longer than any other album since 1985, and is certified Diamond.[12][13][14] The album has sold 30 million copies worldwide.[15][16]