Who released the album 21?
Quick answer
21 is the second studio album by British singer Adele, released in January 2011. Named after her age while writing it, the album includes “Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You” and “Set Fire to the Rain,” and won the Grammy for Album of the Year. It’s one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century.
Why “21”?
Adele names her albums after her age during the writing period: 19 (2008), 21 (2011), 25 (2015) and 30 (2021). 21 was largely inspired by a painful breakup.
Hit singles
| Single | Highlight |
|---|---|
| “Rolling in the Deep” | US No. 1; Grammy for Record and Song of the Year |
| “Someone Like You” | UK No. 1 after her emotional performance at the 2011 BRIT Awards |
| “Set Fire to the Rain” | US No. 1 |
| “Rumour Has It” | Top 20 in the US |
Records
- More than 30 million copies sold worldwide
- Won six Grammys in 2012, tying the record for a female artist in one night
- Spent 24 weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200, the most for a woman
- Became the best-selling album of the 21st century in the UK
About Adele
| Full name | Adele Laurie Blue Adkins |
| Born | May 5, 1988, Tottenham, London |
| Studied at | BRIT School, London |
| Other famous song | “Skyfall” (2012), which won the Oscar for Best Original Song |
She’s known for her powerful voice, emotional ballads and down-to-earth humor in interviews. In 2022–2024 she held a long-running concert residency in Las Vegas.
For another best-selling female artist, see Taylor Swift’s 1989. Adele’s “Skyfall” was a James Bond theme; see who the new James Bond is.
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