Adele’s Monumental Grammy Journey: Unpacking Her Historic Wins, Nominations, and Enduring Legacy

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, universally known as Adele, has established herself as one of the most celebrated and awarded artists in modern music history. Her distinctive voice, raw emotional delivery, and deeply personal songwriting have resonated with millions worldwide, consistently earning her critical acclaim and an impressive collection of prestigious awards. Among these, the Grammy Awards stand out as a testament to her unparalleled talent and enduring impact on the recording industry. From her breakthrough debut to her most recent releases, Adele has consistently been a dominant force at the Grammys, collecting numerous accolades that solidify her status as a global icon.

• Adele holds a remarkable record of 25 Grammy nominations throughout her career.
• At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023, Adele received multiple nominations, including highly coveted categories such as Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year for her acclaimed work.
• While her near-perfect winning streak experienced a slight shift in 2023, she did not depart from the ceremony empty-handed, adding another significant award to her extensive collection.

Adele’s unstoppable presence at the Grammy Awards is legendary. As drag performer Ginger Minj famously quipped while portraying the British singer on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Adele could simply exist, and she’d “probably win an award for it, anyway.” This sentiment perfectly captures the incredible juggernaut Adele has become in the awards circuit, maintaining an unbroken winning streak for a decade following her initial breakthrough. Her albums and singles consistently dominate nominations and secure wins across major categories, demonstrating an extraordinary connection with both critics and the public.

Leading up to the 65th Grammy Awards, Adele had already accumulated an astonishing 15 wins from 25 nominations, with seven of those nominations stemming from her profoundly personal 2021 album, 30. True to form with her previous acclaimed albums, Adele was once again a contender for the top honors: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year. Beyond the competitive categories, Adele also had a memorable moment at the 2023 Grammys when host Trevor Noah helped her fulfill a long-standing wish by introducing her to her idol, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a moment that delighted fans and hinted at a blossoming friendship.

But how did Adele fare in the highly competitive 2023 Grammys, and what other remarkable achievements mark her illustrious career? Let’s delve deeper into her Grammy journey, exploring her nominations, wins, and the indelible mark she continues to leave on music.

Adele’s 2023 Grammy Nominations: A Closer Look at Her Acclaimed Album ’30’

Adele entered the 65th Grammy Awards ceremony with a formidable presence, having secured a staggering seven nominations for her highly anticipated and critically lauded album 30 and its lead single “Easy On Me.” These nominations underscored the album’s profound impact and Adele’s continued relevance in the music landscape. The album, which delved into themes of divorce, motherhood, and self-discovery, resonated deeply with listeners and critics alike.

• Album of the Year: Adele’s poignant album, 30, was a strong contender for the prestigious Album of the Year award, a category she has famously dominated in the past. Her competitors included ABBA’s Voyage, Bad Bunny’s Un verano sin ti, Harry Styles’ Harry’s House, Lizzo’s Special, Mary J. Blige’s Good Morning Gorgeous, Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres, Brandi Carlile’s In These Silent Days, Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, and Beyoncé’s Renaissance. This was one of the most diverse and competitive fields in Grammy history.
• Song of the Year: The emotional ballad “Easy On Me” earned a nomination for Song of the Year, recognizing its exceptional songwriting and lyrical depth. This category highlights the songwriters, and Adele faced stiff competition from GAYLE’s “ABCDEFU,” Lizzo’s “About Damn Time,” Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul,” DJ Khaled’s “God Did,” and Bonnie Raitt’s “Just Like That.”
• Record of the Year: “Easy On Me” also vied for Record of the Year, an award celebrating the overall production and performance of a single track. The category featured a mix of genres and artists, including ABBA’s “Don’t Shut Me Down,” Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul,” Mary J. Blige’s “Good Morning Gorgeous,” Doja Cat’s “Woman,” Brandi Carlile‘s “You and Me on the Rock” (featuring Lucius), Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habit,” Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart Part Five,” Lizzo’s “About Damn Time,” and Harry Styles’ “As It Was.”
• Best Pop Solo Performance: Adele looked to continue her impressive streak in this category with “Easy on Me.” The track competed against “About Damn Time” (Lizzo), “As It Was” (Harry Styles), “Bad Habit” (Steve Lacy), “Woman” (Doja Cat), and “Moscow Mule” (Bad Bunny), showcasing the breadth of contemporary pop music.
• Best Music Video: The visually striking video for “Easy on Me” was nominated for Best Music Video. It was up against formidable contenders such as BTS‘ “Yet To Come,” Doja Cat’s “Woman,” Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart Part Five,” and the acclaimed All Too Well: The Short Film by Taylor Swift.
• Best Pop Vocal Album: Adele’s 30 was also a nominee for Best Pop Vocal Album. The album faced off against Voyage (ABBA), Music of the Spheres (Coldplay), Special (Lizzo), and Harry’s House (Harry Styles), all strong releases in the pop genre.
• Best Music Film: Her critically praised special, Adele One Night Only, secured a nomination in the Best Music Film category. This special showcased Adele performing new songs from 30 and classic hits, alongside an intimate interview with Oprah Winfrey. It competed with Justin Bieber’s Our World, Billie Eilish’s Billie Eilish Live at the O2, Rosalía’s Motomami (Rosalía TikTok Live Performance), Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s A Band A Brotherhood A Barn, and Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story.

Adele’s Enduring Grammy Triumphs: A Comprehensive List of Her 16 Wins

The 65th Grammy Awards in 2023 presented a night filled with both anticipated victories and surprising turns. While Beyoncé made history as the winningest artist in Grammy history, she ultimately did not take home the coveted Album of the Year award, which went to Harry Styles for Harry’s House. This outcome averted a potential repeat of the 2017 ceremony, where Adele famously bested Beyoncé for the Recording Academy’s top honor. While Adele, despite her seven nominations, did not sweep the night, she did not leave empty-handed, extending her impressive Grammy legacy.

In 2023, Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story claimed Best Music Film, Harry Styles’ Harry’s House earned Best Pop Vocal Album, and Taylor Swift’s All Too Well: The Short Film won Best Music Video. Record of the Year went to Lizzo’s infectious “About Damn Time,” and in a delightful upset, Bonnie Raitt secured Song of the Year. With Album of the Year going to Styles, Adele’s sole but significant victory at the 2023 Grammys was for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Easy On Me.” In her characteristic charming and candid acceptance speech, she dedicated the award to her son, Angelo, before humorously dropping an F-bomb, exclaiming, “Thank you all. Artists, I f****** love you. Goodnight!” This moment encapsulated her authentic persona that fans adore.

Best Pop Solo Performance — “Easy On Me” (2023)

Early Acclaim: The Debut Era (2009)

Adele’s ascent to global stardom began with her debut album, 19, which quickly garnered critical attention and earned her first Grammy nominations. Her distinctive voice and mature songwriting, particularly on tracks like “Chasing Pavements,” immediately set her apart. In 2009, she not only secured wins but also established herself as a formidable new talent against a strong roster of emerging artists.

• Best New Artist (2009)
• Best Female Pop Vocal Performance — “Chasing Pavements” (2009)

Her victory for Best New Artist in 2009 was a significant moment, as she triumphed over a diverse and talented group of nominees including Jazmine Sullivan, Lady Antebellum (now known as Lady A), Duffy, and the Jonas Brothers, signaling her arrival as a major force in music.

The ’21’ Phenomenon: A Historic Sweep (2012)

The release of 21 in 2011 propelled Adele into stratospheric success, becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time. Its deeply emotional tracks, including “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You,” captivated audiences globally, leading to an unprecedented night at the 2012 Grammy Awards. Adele’s performance and subsequent wins cemented her status as a global superstar.

• Album of the Year — 21 (2012)
• Best Pop Vocal Album — 21 (2012)
• Record of the Year — “Rolling in the Deep” (2012)
• Song of the Year — “Rolling in the Deep” (2012)
• Best Short Form Music Video — “Rolling in the Deep” (2012)
• Best Pop Solo Performance — “Someone Like You” (2012)

In 2012, Adele achieved a monumental feat by winning six Grammy Awards in a single night. While this ties her with several other legends, it is not the all-time record for most wins by a single artist at one ceremony. That particular honor belongs to Michael Jackson, who famously took home eight awards in 1984 for Thriller and “Beat It,” and Santana in 2000 for Supernatural and “Smooth.” However, Adele’s six-pack of Grammys places her in an elite circle, tying her with Roger Miller, Quincy Jones, Eric Clapton, and Beyoncé, who all accomplished this impressive feat before her. Since then, esteemed engineer Tom Elmhirst, superstar performer Bruno Mars, and prolific songwriter/producer Finneas O’Connell have also joined this exclusive club, each winning six Grammys in a single night.

Continued Success: Expanding Her Repertoire (2013-2014)

Even in the years between her major album releases, Adele continued to receive Grammy recognition for standalone tracks and live performances, showcasing her versatility and unwavering popularity.

• Best Pop Solo Performance — “Set Fire To The Rain,” live version from Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2013)
• Best Song Written for Visual Media — “Skyfall” from Skyfall (2014)

Her win for “Skyfall,” the theme song for the James Bond film of the same name, further demonstrated her ability to craft timeless pieces that transcended typical pop boundaries and garnered acclaim in film and media. This period highlighted her consistent appeal and talent beyond just album cycles.

The ’25’ Era: Another Unforgettable Clean Sweep (2017)

Adele’s third studio album, 25, released in 2015, shattered sales records and once again dominated the Grammy landscape. The lead single, “Hello,” became an instant classic, and the album’s themes of nostalgia and reconciliation resonated profoundly. The 2017 Grammy Awards saw Adele achieve another clean sweep in her nominated categories, a remarkable testament to the album’s widespread appeal and critical adoration.

• Album of the Year – 25 (2017)
• Record of the Year — “Hello” (2017)
• Song of the Year — “Hello” (2017)
• Best Pop Solo Performance — “Hello” (2017)
• Best Pop Vocal Album — 25 (2017)

The 2017 ceremony was particularly notable for Adele’s emotional acceptance speech for Album of the Year, where she tearfully dedicated her win to Beyoncé and her groundbreaking album, Lemonade. In a profound display of humility and admiration, Adele stated, “I can’t possibly accept this award. I’m very humbled and very grateful and gracious, but my artist of my life is Beyoncé. The Lemonade album was so monumental.” She elaborated on how Lemonade was meticulously crafted and deeply impactful, asserting that it truly deserved the win.

Adele later expanded on these sentiments in a 2021 interview with Vogue. She confessed, “My personal opinion is that Beyoncé definitely should have won.” Adele had even assumed that Lemonade would take the top award that night. She recalled the overwhelming feeling when her name was called, realizing, “I f**king won it. I got overwhelmed, with, like, I will have to go and tell her how much her record means to me.”

Following the ceremony, Adele made a point of visiting Beyoncé’s dressing room twice to express her profound respect for Lemonade. During these conversations, she shared her perspective on the Recording Academy, stating, “I just said to her, like, the way that the Grammys works, and the people who control it at the very, very top — they don’t know what a visual album is. They don’t want to support the way that she’s moving things forward with her releases and the things that she’s talking about.” This candid commentary highlighted Adele’s integrity and her appreciation for artistic innovation, even when it meant questioning the very institution honoring her.

Adele’s Comprehensive Grammy Nomination History

Adele’s consistent presence in the Grammy nominations is a testament to her sustained excellence and the enduring appeal of her music across multiple album cycles. Her nominations span various categories, highlighting her versatility as a vocalist, songwriter, and performer.

2009 Nominations (for ’19’)

• Best New Artist
• Record of the Year (“Chasing Pavements”)
• Song of the Year (“Chasing Pavements”)
• Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (“Chasing Pavements”)

2010 Nominations

• Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (“Hometown Glory”)

2012 Nominations (for ’21’)

• Album of the Year (21)
• Best Pop Vocal Album (21)
• Record of the Year (“Rolling in the Deep”)
• Song of the Year (“Rolling in the Deep”)
• Best Short Form Music Video (“Rolling in the Deep”)
• Best Pop Solo Performance (“Someone Like You”)

2013 Nominations

• Best Pop Solo Performance (“Set Fire To The Rain,” live version from Live at the Royal Albert Hall)

2014 Nominations

• Best Song Written for Visual Media (“Skyfall” from Skyfall)

2017 Nominations (for ’25’)

• Album of the Year (25)
• Record of the Year (“Hello”)
• Song of the Year (“Hello”)
• Best Pop Solo Performance (“Hello”)
• Best Pop Vocal Album (25)

2023 Nominations (for ’30’)

• Album of the Year (30)
• Song of the Year (“Easy on Me”)
• Record of the Year (“Easy on Me”)
• Best Pop Solo Performance (“Easy on Me”)
• Best Music Video (“Easy on Me”)
• Best Pop Vocal Album (30)
• Best Music Film (Adele One Night Only)

Did Adele Perform At The 2023 Grammys?

Despite her numerous nominations and highly anticipated presence, Adele did not perform at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023. At the time, she was fully immersed in the final stretch of her immensely popular and once-delayed Weekends with Adeleresidency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. She chose to reserve her extraordinary vocal talents exclusively for the thousands of fans who had purchased tickets for her Sin City shows. Instead, she enjoyed the Grammys as an attendee, celebrating her peers and soaking in the atmosphere of music’s biggest night.

What’s Next For Adele? Glimpses Into Her Artistic Future

Adele’s professional schedule in early 2023 was primarily dedicated to wrapping up her highly successful and acclaimed Las Vegas residency, Weekends with Adele, which concluded at the end of March 2023. Given her well-documented aversion to extensive global touring, which she has often cited as emotionally and physically demanding, it remains uncertain whether she will embark on any further performances across North America or consider establishing similar residencies overseas.

The music world eagerly anticipates her next move. There is perennial speculation that she might soon begin working on her next studio album, an event that would undoubtedly generate immense excitement and, if her past record is any indication, secure her another collection of Grammy Awards. Adele has a unique approach to her career, often taking significant breaks between albums, allowing her life experiences to inform her art deeply. Her albums are not just collections of songs; they are intimate journals set to music, which is a major part of their profound appeal. The future remains unwritten for this extraordinary artist, but one thing is clear: Adele holds the pen, and whatever she creates next is sure to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide, continuing her unparalleled legacy in music history.