Adele has made Billboard history after becoming the first female singer to be named Top Artist, have the Top Album with “21,” and score the Top Single with “Rolling in the Deep” all in one year. The 23-year-old star topped the magazine’s list of Best Artists of the Year, followed by Rihanna, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. Talking about what makes Adele stand out from her competitors, Tye Comer, editor of Billboard.com, said, “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. 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.” Other 2011 year-end charts, which include Top Artist, Top Title, Top Male, Top Female and Top Duo/Group are at Billboard’s website.
| Billboard’s Top Artists of the Year: | |
| 1. Adele | 6. Bruno Mars |
| 2. Rihanna | 7. Nicki Minaj |
| 3. Katy Perry | 8. Taylor Swift |
| 4. Lady Gaga | 9. Justin Bieber |
| 5. Lil Wayne | 10. Chris Brown |
| Top Pop Artists Of 2011 | |
| 1. Katy Perry | 6. Pitbull |
| 2. Rihanna | 7. Adele |
| 3. Bruno Mars | 8. Ke$ha |
| 4. Britney Spears | 9. P!nk |
| 5. Lady Gaga | 10. The Black Eyed Peas |
| Top 10 Adult Contemporary Artists of the Year: | |
| 1. Bruno Mars | 6. The Script |
| 2. Katy Perry | 7. Daughtry |
| 3. Adele | 8. Onerepublic |
| 4. Train | 9. Taylor Swift |
| 5. P!nk | 10. Plain White T’s |
