How Adele Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline
A closer look at the lasting mark left by Adele—a timeline of influence.
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, known as Adele, is a highly acclaimed English singer-songwriter. Recognized as a British icon, she is celebrated for her powerful mezzo-soprano voice and emotionally resonant songwriting. Throughout her career, she has amassed numerous prestigious awards, including multiple Grammy Awards, Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award, solidifying her status as one of the most successful and influential artists of her generation.
1964: Comparisons to The Beatles
In February 2011, following her performance at the Brit Awards, Adele became the first living artist since the Beatles in 1964 to have two top-five hits in both the Official Singles Chart and the Official Albums Chart simultaneously. Adele was compared to the beatles.
2011: Creation of "Sasha Carter" Alter Ego
In 2011, Adele revealed in a Rolling Stone cover story that she created an alter ego named "Sasha Carter" to cope with onstage anxiety, drawing inspiration from Beyoncé's "Sasha Fierce".
2011: Adele Revives Music Industry
In 2011, Billboard credited Adele for reviving the music industry, highlighting her unique presence, talent, and relatable personality.
February 2013: One of the 100 most powerful women in the UK
In February 2013, Adele was named one of the 100 most powerful women in the UK by Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4.
2014: Adele Considered a British Cultural Icon
By 2014, Adele was already regarded as a British cultural icon, mentioned by young adults from abroad as someone they most associated with UK culture.
2014: Estimated Album and Singles Sales
By the end of 2014, Adele had sold an estimated 40 million albums and 50 million singles worldwide, solidifying her status as a global music icon.
2016: Adele is the "Queen of Hearts"
In 2016, Vanity Fair magazine published a cover story which referred to Adele as the "Queen of Hearts".
2018: Inducted into the Royal Albert Hall's Walk of Fame
In 2018, Adele was inducted into the Royal Albert Hall's Walk of Fame.
December 2019: Named singer of the 2010s
In December 2019, Adele was named singer of the 2010s by Israel's largest TV and radio stations.
2019: Adele Listed Among Top Artists of the Decade
In 2019, Insider Inc. listed Adele among the top artists of the decade, recognizing her artistry and style that broke through in a time of ultra club-happy pop music.
2021: UK's Best-Selling Female Album Artist of the 21st Century
In 2021, Adele was named the UK's best-selling female album artist of the 21st century, based on Official Charts Company data.
2021: Adele's Album Release Considered a Global Cultural Event
In a 2021 article from The Daily Telegraph, James Hall wrote that "a new Adele album isn't just a release − it's a global cultural event", recognizing her profound impact on the music world.
May 2022: One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In May 2022, Adele was named for the third time among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, in the "icons" category.
2023: Rolling Stone Lists Adele Among Greatest Singers of All Time
In 2023, Rolling Stone listed Adele at 22nd in their list of 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, cementing her status as one of the most talented vocalists.
2024: Continued Album Success in 2024
As of 2024, all of Adele's studio albums, except "19", have topped the yearly best-selling albums chart worldwide in the 21st century, highlighting her consistent popularity and commercial success.
