Ranker MusicList RulesOnly artists born or raised in North Carolina or bands formed in North Carolina.
Here are the best artists and bands from North Carolina. North Carolina has a long tradition of old-timey music. The state produced many country musicians at the turn of the 20th century, but that does not mean North Carolina has slowed down in the slightest in recent years. Many chart-topping artists were either born or raised in the Old North State. With so many to choose from, it can be tough to determine who the best musical artists from North Carolina are, but this list will certainly try.
One noteworthy fact about the state is that it has produced many successful contestants on American Idol. Fantasia, Clay Aiken, and Kellie Pickler all came from the state and made their way to superstardom on the hit TV show. A lot of famous rock bands, such as Ben Folds Five, Sylvan Esso, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, also got their early starts in North Carolina. Talent is just bursting at the seams in the state, and these examples barely scratch the surface. Other popular North Carolina artists include J. Cole, Fred Durst, Luke Combs, and R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo.
This list of North Carolina musical artists has singers, rappers, and bands from all genres. No matter what you like to listen to, you will find someone on this list you are a fan of. Vote for the acts you like best.
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13964John Coltrane
Avant-garde jazz, Hard bopJohn William Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967) was an American jazz saxophonist... more2
16586Luke Combs
CountryLuke Albert Combs (born March 2, 1990) is an American country music singer and songwriter.... more3
228138J. Cole
Hip hopJermaine Lamarr Cole (born January 28, 1985) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and... more4
9333Ben E. King
Pop music, Rhythm and bluesBenjamin Earl King (born Benjamin Earl Nelson, September 28, 1938 – April 30, 2015) was an... more5
11551Charlie Daniels
Outlaw country, Rock musicCharles Edward Daniels (October 28, 1936 – July 6, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter... more6
14375The Avett Brothers
Folk music, Folk rockThe Avett Brothers is an American band from Concord, North Carolina. The band is made up of... more7
12863Nina Simone
Folk music, Rhythm and bluesEunice Kathleen Waymon (February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003), known professionally as Nina... more8
10853Andy Griffith
Christian musicAndy Samuel Griffith (June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012) was an American actor, comedian, television... more9
6518Eric Church
Outlaw country, Country rockKenneth Eric Church (born May 3, 1977) is an American country music singer-songwriter. He has... more10
8339Randy Travis
Gospel music, CountryRandy Bruce Traywick (born May 4, 1959), known professionally as Randy Travis, is an American... more11
189136DaBaby
Hip hopJonathan Lyndale Kirk (born December 21, 1991), better known as DaBaby (formerly known as Baby... more12
7736Thelonious Monk
Stride, Cool jazzThelonious Sphere Monk (, October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist... more13
7639Ben Folds Five
Pop music, Piano rockBen Folds Five are an alternative rock trio formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The... more14
5221Scotty McCreery
CountryScott Cooke McCreery (born October 9, 1993) is an American country music singer. He won the... more15
7552Daughtry
Rock music, Pop rockDaughtry is an American rock band formed and fronted by namesake Chris Daughtry, who was a... more16
4624Sylvan Esso
Electropop17
5028Tori Amos
Piano rock, Dark cabaretTori Amos (born Myra Ellen Amos, August 22, 1963) is an American singer-songwriter and... more18
4119Etta Baker
Piedmont blues, Country bluesEtta Baker (March 31, 1913 – September 23, 2006) was an American Piedmont blues guitarist and... more19
3413Betty Davis
Rock music, Soul musicBetty Davis (née Mabry; born July 26, 1945) is an American funk and soul singer. She is a... more20
3717Carolina Chocolate Drops
Old-time music, BluegrassThe Carolina Chocolate Drops is an old-time string band from Durham, North Carolina. Their... more21
6549Kellie Pickler
Country pop, Pop musicKellie Dawn Pickler (born June 28, 1986) is an American country music artist, actress and... more22
3820Rapsody, is an American rapper from Snow Hill, North Carolina. She is signed to producer 9th... more23
4629Jodeci
Pop music, Contemporary R&BJodeci ( JOH-də-see) is an American R&B quartet with members DeVanté Swing, Mr. Dalvin, K-Ci,... more24
3314Superchunk
Pop punk, EmoSuperchunk is a musical group.... more25
4427Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Rock, Pop
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