Adele has captured the ears of fans in the U.S. and abroad with her sophomore album 21, but what does the British powerhouse listen to on her own iPod? The “Rolling in the Deep” singer’s diverse musical playlist includes everyone from Mumford & Sons to Nicki Minaj, she tells Entertainment Weekly. Find out which Nicki song lifts her up when she’s down, the Rihanna record that possesses her, and why she thinks Kanye West is a genius.
Nicki Minaj featuring Rihanna – “Fly”
“It’s a proper feel-good song. Whenever I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself, or a bit doubting myself, I put it on. It makes me feel positive.”
Rihanna featuring Drake – “What’s My Name?”
“Over New Year’s and Christmas, I had time off and I went to all my friends’ parties singing it. Doing the dance moves, I was convinced I was Rihanna. She was possessing me with that song, I swear.”
Kanye West featuring Bon Iver – “Lost in the World”
“It’s Bon Iver’s ‘Lost in the Woods’ that starts it, and then Kanye comes in. It’s my favorite Bon Iver song, and then Kanye’s one of my favorite artists as well. So when Kanye comes in, I find it so exciting. It’s a bit of a masterpiece. I know he always says that and everybody’s a bit like, ‘Oh, shut up!’ But it is a bit of a masterpiece.”
Her other selections include Mumford & Sons’ “After the Storm,” The Killers’ “All These Things That I’ve Done,” and INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart.”