The Best Musical Artists From South Carolina
Here are the best artists and bands from South Carolina. Particularly known for its influences in the bluegrass, country, R&B, rock, and jazz genres, the Palmetto State has produced a number of memorable acts over the decades. It is also the birthplace of beach music, so if you have ever boogied while hanging out with your friends on the shoreline, then you can thank South Carolina. The best musical artists from South Carolina come from all over the state, but they have all entertained audiences with their talent.
James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, was born in Barnwell but later moved to Georgia when he was still a child. South Carolina is also the state where Hootie & the Blowfish. Singer Darius Rucker and lead guitarist Mark Bryan met when they attended the University of South Carolina. Many bands have similar stories, and some other big bands that got their start in the state include Band of Horses, Crossfade, and The Marshall Tucker Band. Other popular South Carolina artists include Eartha Kitt, Jeezy, Carolina Liar, and Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty.
Have you ever thought about who the most famous musical artists from South Carolina are? You will definitely see some big names on this list that come from a range of decades. After you read through them, vote for the singers and bands you like best.
- Hip hop music, Doo-wop, Pop music
- Albums: Live at the Apollo, Star Time, Funky Christmas, Santa's Got a Brand New Bag, I Got You
James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, record producer and bandleader. A progenitor of funk music and a major figure of ...more - Alternative rock, Soft rock, Roots rock
- Albums: Cracked Rear View, Hootie & the Blowfish, Fairweather Johnson, Musical Chairs, Kootchypop
Hootie & the Blowfish are an American rock band that were formed in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1986. The band's lineup for most of its existence has been the quartet of Darius Rucker, Mark Bryan, ...more - Rock music, Country rock, Rock and roll
- Albums: Carolina Christmas, Where We All Belong, Beyond the Horizon, The Marshall Tucker Band, Searchin' for a Rainbow
The Marshall Tucker Band is an American rock band from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Noted for incorporating blues, country and jazz into its eclectic sound, The Marshall Tucker Band helped establish ...more - Afro-Cuban jazz, Jazz, Bebop
- Albums: Night in Tunisia, The Trumpet Summit Meets the Oscar Peterson Big Four, Jazz at Massey Hall, Sonny Side Up, Giants of Jazz
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (; October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, and singer.Gillespie was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the ...more - Adult contemporary music, Blue-eyed soul, Rock music
- Albums: ...Something to Be, A New York Christmas, Cradlesong, ...Something More, This Is How a Heart Breaks
Robert Kelly Thomas (born February 14, 1972) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the lead singer of alternative rock band Matchbox Twenty. ...more - Rock music, Rhythm and blues, Country
- Albums: Charleston, SC 1966, Back to Then, True Believers, Learn to Live
Darius Carlos Rucker (born May 13, 1966) is an American singer and songwriter. He first gained fame as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, which he founded in ...more