Adele makes Billboard history

British singer Adele has made Billboard history after becoming the first female singer to be named top artist, have the top album, 21, and score the top single, Rolling In The Deep, all in one year.

The 23-year-old chanteuse was followed in the top artist category by Riana, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga in that order, while Nick Mina, Taylor Swift, Justin Bibber, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Bruno Mars rounded out the top 10.

"I think one of the things that sets me apart from other artists who have had the same kind of success is that my life isn't speculated about (by the media)," Adele said in an interview with Billboard.

Dye Comer, editor of Billboard.com, attributes Adele's success to her being a "breath of fresh air" in a market saturated with pop artists cut from a "certain cloth."

"Her success is really inspiring because it shows that there is still room in the music industry for an artist to make it with true, raw talent," Comer said.

"It's not necessarily always about the outrageous outfits or flashy videos, but an amazing voice coupled with the right song still has the ability to turn the ears of millions of people and keep them interested," he said.

Adele's smash-hit album 21 was written in the aftermath of the singer's failed relationship, and it features underlying themes of love, heartache and moving forward.

"I'm incredibly private but I'm also incredibly honest, and I think that creates a kind of 'meet in the middle' respectable ground," Adele said.

The singer's rousing soul and blues-fused single Rolling In The Deep beat pop and dance tracks like LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem, Katy Perry's Firework and ET featuring Kane West.

Adele was also named top female artist, while rapper Lil Wayne was awarded top male and Wiz Khalifa was the best new artist.

Reuters