Meet the jazzy new Amy Winehouse but she's not quite as 'rock and roll'

By AMAR SINGH

Last updated at 18:09 10 December 2007


A teenage singer is tipped for stardom next year after being declared the first winner of the Brit Critics' Choice Award.

With her soulful voice and gifted songwriting Adele Adkins, 19, from Tottenham, has earned comparisons with Amy Winehouse, whom she names as one of her inspirations.

Like Winehouse, Adkins grew up listening to jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James.

But unlike troubled Winehouse, whose drinking and drug-taking have jeopardised her mercurial career, Adele says that she is "not very rock and rollî, preferring to eat her favourite Indian food and watch comedy DVDs while on tour.

Scroll down for more ...

Adele Adkins

The promising singer, who performs under her first name, is a graduate of the Brit School for Performing Arts in Croydon which has also produced singers Katie Melua and Kate Nash.

She will collect her award at the Brits ceremony on 20 February and has been championed by several influential figures such as Jools Holland and Jo Whiley.

Amy Winehouse

She was chosen by a panel of 50 music writers for the new Brit prize, which is aimed at encouraging new talent.

A typically powerful performance on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross last week has also helped propel her into the public eye.

Her soul-tinged songs of love and memories include debut single Hometown Glory and her second single, Chasing Pavements, which is out next month.

Adele's debut album is also set for release next month by XL, the independent record label that counts Radiohead and the White Stripes among its artists.

"The whole album is about being 18 and 19, about love,î she said. "It's quite a sad album, with songs about being cheated on and not getting what you want.

"I'm really chuffed and flattered to have won the new category. I've always wanted a Brit and I'm made up to be getting one so early.î

Her incredible voice and exuberant and confident personality have furthered her appeal. "I've always liked being the centre of attention,î she said.

Unlike other female singers who lose dramatic amounts of weight when their careers soar, Adkins has no plans to diet. "I've always been a size 14-16, and been fine with it. I would only lose weight if it affected my health or sex life, which it doesn't.î

Despite building her profile and getting critical acclaim for her first songs on the internet, like many of her contemporaries, Adele says she would hate to be tagged as a MySpace singer, pointing to her short friend list of "'just 10,000î names.

Adele Adkins graphic

Comments (0)

Share what you think

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now