Ranker MusicList RulesOnly artists born or raised in Rhode Island or bands formed in Rhode Island.
Here are the best artists and bands from Rhode Island. The land of pristine shorelines and historic landmarks also has a richly vibrant music scene centered around Providence. The city became particularly famous around the 1990s when noise rock began to take hold in the public's consciousness. It is also home to various music festivals, such as the Newport Folk and Newport Jazz festivals, where bands from all over the United States gather to treat locals to a day of fun, good vibes, and the best musical artists from Rhode Island.
It is hard to pin down a definitive sound of the region. Some bands like The Dear Hunter play more progressive rock that has a variety of styles while The Low Anthem is more experimental in its styling. The same variety can be seen in the singers that come out of the Ocean State. Billy Gilman is a country artist who made his way up the ranks on The Voice while Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane has released several solo albums. Other popular Rhode Island artists include Sage Francis, Velvet Crush, and Daughters.
Regardless of what music you like best, there is something for everyone in Rhode Island. These are the most famous Rhode Island musical artists, but there are plenty of other smaller acts that play regularly around the state. Vote for your favorites.
1
2110Velvet Crush
Rock music, Power popAlbums: In the Presence of Greatness, Free Expression, Melody Freaks, Stereo Blues, Rock Concert
Velvet Crush is a power pop band from Rhode Island that achieved prominence in indie-rock... more2
198John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
Heartland rock, Rock musicAlbums: Eddie & The Cruisers, Tough All Over, Roadhouse, Eddie and the Cruisers II, Eddie and the Cruisers: The Unreleased Tapes
John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band is an American rock band from Rhode Island which began... more3
209Jeffrey Osborne
Contemporary R&B, Rhythm and bluesAlbums: Stay with Me Tonight, Emotional, Don't Stop, Music Is Life, Jeffrey Osborne
Jeffrey Linton Osborne (born March 9, 1948) is an American Grammy–nominated singer–songwriter,... more4
2112Scott Hamilton
JazzAlbums: Late Night Christmas Eve, Swing Brothers, Just You, Just Me, No Bass Hit
Scott Hamilton (born September 12, 1954) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist associated with... more5
2112The Dear Hunter
Rock music, Experimental rockAlbums: Act II: The Meaning of, and All Things Regarding Ms. Leading, Act III: Life and Death, Dear Ms. Leading, Act I: The Lake South
The Dear Hunter is a progressive rock band originating in Providence, Rhode Island. It began... more6
189Billy Gilman
Pop music, Acoustic musicAlbums: Dare to Dream, One Voice, Classic Christmas, Billy Gilman, Everything and More
William Wendell Gilman III (born May 24, 1988) is an American singer. Starting as a young... more7
155Bobby Hackett
Swing music, Big bandAlbums: The Chronological Classics: Bobby Hackett 1948-1954, Rendezvous, What a Wonderful World, Bobby Hackett Plays Henry Mancini / Bobby Hackett Plays Bert Kaempfert, A String of Pearls
Robert Leo Hackett (January 31, 1915 – June 7, 1976) was an American jazz musician who played... more8
179Deer Tick
Rock music, Alternative countryAlbums: Divine Providence, War Elephant, Negativity, The Black Dirt Sessions, Born on Flag Day
Deer Tick is an American alternative rock band from Providence, Rhode Island composed of... more9
134Lightning Bolt
Noise rock, New ProgAlbums: Wonderful Rainbow, Hypermagic Mountain, Ride the Skies, Lightning Bolt, Earthly Delights
Lightning Bolt is an American noise rock duo from Providence, Rhode Island, composed of Brian... more10
2013Sage Francis
Hip hop music, Alternative hip hopAlbums: Personal Journals, A Healthy Distrust, Dead Poet Live Album, Human the Death Dance, Sickly Business
Paul William "Sage" Francis (born November 18, 1976) is an American independent underground... more11
1710Belly
Jangle pop, Dream popAlbums: King, Star, Now They'll Sleep, Moon, Baby Silvertooth
Belly was an alternative rock band formed in 1991 by former Throwing Muses members Tanya... more12
169ZOX
Ska, Rock musicAlbums: The Wait, Line in the Sand, The Rest, Space Monkey, Take Me Home
ZOX is a band from Providence, Rhode Island that is self-described as "violin-laced... more13
136Throwing Muses
Alternative rock, Post-punkAlbums: The Real Ramona, Hunkpapa, University, Purgatory/Paradise, Throwing Muses
Throwing Muses is an alternative rock band formed in 1981 in Newport, Rhode Island, that... more14
148Dicky Barrett
Ska punk, Punk rockRichard Michael Barrett (born June 22, 1964), better known as Dicky Barrett, is an American... more15
136Kristin Hersh
Pop music, Folk musicAlbums: Learn to Sing Like a Star, Strange Angels, Sky Motel, Hips and Makers, Murder
Martha Kristin Hersh (born August 7, 1966) is an American singer-songwriter, musician and... more16
159The Low Anthem
Folk rock, Alternative rockAlbums: What the Crow Brings, The Low Anthem, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, Smart Flesh
The Low Anthem is an American indie folk band from Providence, Rhode Island, formed in 2006.... more17
102Duke Robillard
Blues-rock, Swing musicAlbums: Duke`s Box, The Blues And More, New Blues for Modern Man, Duke's Blues, Explorer
Michael John "Duke" Robillard (born October 4, 1948) is an American guitarist and singer. He... more18
125Amazing Crowns
Psychobilly, RockabillyAlbums: The Amazing Royal Crowns, Payback Live, Royal, Do the Devil
The Amazing Crowns are a rockabilly band that began in Providence, Rhode Island in 1993. It... more19
149Angry Salad
Rock music, Pop rockAlbums: Angry Salad, The Guinea Pig EP, Bizarre Gardening Accident
Angry Salad was an alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band formed at Brown... more20
105Fang Island
Instrumental rock, Progressive rockAlbums: Fang Island, Major, Day of the Great Leap, Sky Gardens, Daisy
Fang Island is an American indie rock band formed in Providence, Rhode Island, and based in... more21
1410AraabMuzik
Hip hop music, DubstepAlbums: Electronic Dream, Motion Picture, For Professional Use Only 2
Abraham Orellana (born June 16, 1989), better known as his stage name AraabMuzik (stylized as... more22
127Daughters
Noise rock, MathcoreAlbums: Daughters, Daughters, Canada Songs, Hell Songs, Daughters 7" EP
Daughters is an American rock band formed in 2001 in Providence, Rhode Island after the demise... more23
106Vital Remains
Black metal, Blackened death metalAlbums: Dawn of the Apocalypse, Dechristianize, Let Us Pray, Icons of Evil, Forever Underground
Vital Remains is an American death metal band from Providence, Rhode Island, formed in 1988.... more24
128Black Dice
Noise rock, Electronic musicAlbums: Load Blown, Creature Comforts, Broken Ear Record, Mr. Impossible, Beaches & Canyons
Black Dice is an American experimental music group currently based in Brooklyn, New York.... more25
128Six Finger Satellite
Synthpop, Synth rockAlbums: The Pigeon Is the Most Popular Bird, Severe Exposure, Paranormalized, Law of Ruins, Half Control
Six Finger Satellite are an American synthesizer-based post-hardcore band, based in... more
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25