Adele

Adkins was raised by a young single mother living in various working-class neighbourhoods of London. She was an avid singer of contemporary pop music as a young girl and was able to play the clarinet and guitar. She discovered Etta, a mid-century rhythm-and blues singer in her teens, and started to think about a career as musician. She was studying at an institution for secondary education in the performing and visual arts that was funded by the government. A friend posted songs Adkins had written on Myspace. Following her graduation the music of Adkins caught the attention of record companies. She signed a deal in 2006 with XL Recordings.