Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (born 5 May 1988),better known mononymously as Adele, is an English recording artist and songwriter. Born in Tottenham, North London, England on 5 May 1988, she began singing when she was 4 years old and asserts that she became obsessed with voices. Adele cited the Spice Girls as a major influence on her love and passion for music, stating that "They made me what I am today." When she was 11, Adele and her mother moved to Brixton, and then to a neighboring district-West Norwood in South London. Adele’s first album was based on the subject of west Norwood. Hometown Glory , written when she was 16. After moving to South London, she became interested in R&B artists such as Aaliyah, Destiny’s Child and Mary J. Blige.