Billboard names Adele as Artist of the Year

Dec 10, 2011, 22:02 GMT

Los Angeles - British singer Adele has another jewel to place in her crown.

The 23-year-old is already the leading nominee for the Grammy Awards and was named earlier this week as the top selling artist on iTunes.

On Friday she was named Artist of the Year by Billboard magazine, which cited her no-frills style as making her stand out from her chart rivals.

'Adele is one of a kind, a woman who thrives off no bells and whistles, just pure personality and talent (and the ability to make the toughest curmudgeon cry),' the US rock bible explained.

Billboard named provocative rapper Rihanna as Adele's runner up, followed by Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Lil Wayne. Rounding out the list was Bruno Mars at No. 6, Nicki Minaj at No. 7, Taylor Swift at No. 8, Justin Bieber at No. 9 and Chris Brown at No. 10.

The list is compiled using account album sales, charting singles, radio airplay and other factors. Adele's album 21 was the best-selling of the year with 4.8 million sold while her song Rolling in the Deep was the most popular single.

The other top selling albums were Swift's Speak Now, Gaga's Born This Way, Jason Aldean's My Kinda Party and Susan Boyle's The Gift. The other top selling singles were LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem, Perry's Firework, Perry and Kanye West's E.T. and Pitbull's Give Me Everything, Billboard said.