Music Database
This page presents a curated overview of notable music artists, organized by genre. Each section includes a sortable table listing artists alongside their primary contributors, peak creative era, a representative (signature) album, and country of origin.
The selections focus on artists with significant cultural impact, influence, or historical importance within their genre. Peak eras and signature albums are intended to reflect widely recognized high points in each artist’s career rather than complete discographies. External links point to Wikipedia for readers who want more detailed biographies and context.
The content was compiled manually and standardized for consistency across genres, prioritizing clarity, comparability, and ease of navigation rather than exhaustive coverage.
Cross-Genre / Multi-Genre Artists
| Artist | Primary roles / genres | Peak era | Signature album | Country of origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Eno | Electronic, Ambient, Experimental, New Age | 1973–1982 | Another Green World | United Kingdom |
| Vangelis | Electronic, New Age, Soundtrack | 1975–1984 | Blade Runner (OST) | Greece |
| Daft Punk | Electronic, Dance | 1997–2001 | Discovery | France |
| Aphex Twin | Electronic, Ambient, Experimental | 1992–1996 | Selected Ambient Works 85–92 | United Kingdom |
| Ryuichi Sakamoto | Electronic, Ambient, Soundtrack, World | 1983–1999 | Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (OST) | Japan |
| Prince | Pop, R&B, Funk, Rock | 1982–1988 | Purple Rain | United States |
| Whitney Houston | Pop, R&B, Gospel | 1985–1993 | Whitney Houston | United States |
| Aretha Franklin | R&B, Soul, Gospel | 1967–1972 | I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You | United States |
| Taylor Swift | Pop, Country | 2014–2020 | 1989 | United States |
| Madonna | Pop, Dance | 1984–1992 | Like a Prayer | United States |
Rock
| Artist | Main musicians | Peak era | Signature album | Country of origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Beatles | John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr | 1963–1969 | Abbey Road | United Kingdom |
| Led Zeppelin | Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham | 1969–1977 | Led Zeppelin IV | United Kingdom |
| The Rolling Stones | Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood | 1968–1974 | Exile on Main St. | United Kingdom |
| Pink Floyd | Syd Barrett, David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Nick Mason | 1973–1979 | The Dark Side of the Moon | United Kingdom |
| Queen | Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon | 1975–1986 | A Night at the Opera | United Kingdom |
| The Who | Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, Keith Moon | 1969–1973 | Who’s Next | United Kingdom |
| AC/DC | Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Bon Scott, Brian Johnson | 1979–1981 | Back in Black | Australia |
| Nirvana | Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl | 1991–1993 | Nevermind | United States |
| U2 | Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr. | 1987–1993 | The Joshua Tree | Ireland |
| Bruce Springsteen | Bruce Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, Steven Van Zandt, Max Weinberg | 1975–1984 | Born to Run | United States |
| Jimi Hendrix | Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding, Mitch Mitchell | 1967–1970 | Electric Ladyland | United States |
| The Doors | Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, John Densmore | 1967–1971 | L.A. Woman | United States |
| Fleetwood Mac | Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks | 1975–1979 | Rumours | United Kingdom |
| Aerosmith | Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer, Brad Whitford | 1973–1976 | Toys in the Attic | United States |
| Guns N’ Roses | Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, Izzy Stradlin, Steven Adler | 1987–1991 | Appetite for Destruction | United States |
| Radiohead | Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Colin Greenwood, Philip Selway | 1997–2001 | OK Computer | United Kingdom |
| Red Hot Chili Peppers | Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante, Chad Smith | 1991–1999 | Blood Sugar Sex Magik | United States |
| Foo Fighters | Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear | 1997–2007 | The Colour and the Shape | United States |
| Eagles | Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Randy Meisner | 1975–1977 | Hotel California | United States |
Pop
| Artist | Main musicians | Peak era | Signature album | Country of origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Jackson | Michael Jackson | 1982–1991 | Thriller | United States |
| Elvis Presley | Elvis Presley | 1956–1963 | Elvis Presley | United States |
| Beyoncé | Beyoncé Knowles | 2003–2016 | Lemonade | United States |
| Rihanna | Rihanna | 2007–2016 | Anti | Barbados |
| Adele | Adele | 2011–2016 | 21 | United Kingdom |
| Elton John | Elton John | 1972–1976 | Goodbye Yellow Brick Road | United Kingdom |
| Mariah Carey | Mariah Carey | 1993–1999 | Daydream | United States |
| Bruno Mars | Bruno Mars | 2010–2018 | 24K Magic | United States |
| Lady Gaga | Lady Gaga | 2009–2014 | The Fame Monster | United States |
| Justin Bieber | Justin Bieber | 2010–2016 | Purpose | Canada |
| Britney Spears | Britney Spears | 1999–2004 | ...Baby One More Time | United States |
| Ed Sheeran | Ed Sheeran | 2014–2019 | ÷ | United Kingdom |
| Katy Perry | Katy Perry | 2008–2013 | Teenage Dream | United States |
| ABBA | Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad | 1974–1980 | Arrival | Sweden |
| Janet Jackson | Janet Jackson | 1986–1993 | Rhythm Nation 1814 | United States |
Country
| Artist | Main musicians | Peak era | Signature album | Country of origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnny Cash | Johnny Cash | 1956–1968 | At Folsom Prison | United States |
| Dolly Parton | Dolly Parton | 1973–1980 | Jolene | United States |
| Garth Brooks | Garth Brooks | 1991–1998 | No Fences | United States |
| George Strait | George Strait | 1984–1995 | Strait Country | United States |
| Willie Nelson | Willie Nelson | 1975–1985 | Red Headed Stranger | United States |
| Hank Williams | Hank Williams | 1947–1953 | 40 Greatest Hits | United States |
| Merle Haggard | Merle Haggard | 1966–1977 | Mama Tried | United States |
| Waylon Jennings | Waylon Jennings | 1973–1980 | Honky Tonk Heroes | United States |
| Shania Twain | Shania Twain | 1995–2002 | Come On Over | Canada |
| Reba McEntire | Reba McEntire | 1986–1994 | For My Broken Heart | United States |
| Alan Jackson | Alan Jackson | 1992–2000 | A Lot About Livin’ | United States |
| Kenny Rogers | Kenny Rogers | 1977–1985 | The Gambler | United States |
| Tim McGraw | Tim McGraw | 1996–2004 | Everywhere | United States |
| Faith Hill | Faith Hill | 1999–2002 | Breathe | United States |
| Carrie Underwood | Carrie Underwood | 2005–2010 | Some Hearts | United States |
| Loretta Lynn | Loretta Lynn | 1967–1975 | Coal Miner’s Daughter | United States |
| Brooks & Dunn | Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn | 1991–1998 | Brand New Man | United States |
| Luke Bryan | Luke Bryan | 2013–2018 | Crash My Party | United States |
| Chris Stapleton | Chris Stapleton | 2015–2020 | Traveller | United States |
Jazz
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louis Armstrong | Louis Armstrong | 1925–1933 | Hot Five & Seven | United States |
| Miles Davis | Miles Davis | 1959–1970 | Kind of Blue | United States |
| John Coltrane | John Coltrane | 1959–1965 | A Love Supreme | United States |
| Duke Ellington | Duke Ellington | 1930–1945 | Ellington at Newport | United States |
| Charlie Parker | Charlie Parker | 1945–1950 | Bird and Diz | United States |
| Thelonious Monk | Thelonious Monk | 1955–1960 | Brilliant Corners | United States |
| Ella Fitzgerald | Ella Fitzgerald | 1956–1963 | Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook | United States |
| Billie Holiday | Billie Holiday | 1937–1944 | Lady in Satin | United States |
| Herbie Hancock | Herbie Hancock | 1973–1976 | Head Hunters | United States |
| Dave Brubeck | Dave Brubeck | 1959–1962 | Time Out | United States |
| Count Basie | Count Basie | 1937–1945 | The Atomic Mr. Basie | United States |
| Charles Mingus | Charles Mingus | 1959–1964 | Mingus Ah Um | United States |
| Chet Baker | Chet Baker | 1954–1957 | Chet Baker Sings | United States |
| Stan Getz | Stan Getz | 1962–1964 | Getz/Gilberto | United States |
| Art Blakey | Art Blakey | 1954–1964 | Moanin’ | United States |
| Sonny Rollins | Sonny Rollins | 1956–1962 | Saxophone Colossus | United States |
| Wynton Marsalis | Wynton Marsalis | 1984–1994 | Black Codes | United States |
| Sarah Vaughan | Sarah Vaughan | 1954–1960 | Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown | United States |
| Chick Corea | Chick Corea | 1972–1976 | Return to Forever | United States |
| Keith Jarrett | Keith Jarrett | 1973–1975 | The Köln Concert | United States |
Classical
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johann Sebastian Bach | Johann Sebastian Bach | 1710–1750 | Brandenburg Concertos | Germany |
| Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | 1781–1791 | Requiem | Austria |
| Ludwig van Beethoven | Ludwig van Beethoven | 1803–1824 | Symphony No. 9 | Germany |
| Johannes Brahms | Johannes Brahms | 1865–1885 | Symphony No. 4 | Germany |
| Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky | 1876–1892 | Swan Lake | Russia |
| Antonio Vivaldi | Antonio Vivaldi | 1711–1725 | The Four Seasons | Italy |
| Franz Schubert | Franz Schubert | 1814–1828 | Symphony No. 9 | Austria |
| Richard Wagner | Richard Wagner | 1859–1876 | Der Ring des Nibelungen | Germany |
| Claude Debussy | Claude Debussy | 1894–1913 | Clair de Lune | France |
| Igor Stravinsky | Igor Stravinsky | 1910–1920 | The Rite of Spring | Russia |
| Joseph Haydn | Joseph Haydn | 1760–1795 | The Creation | Austria |
| George Frideric Handel | George Frideric Handel | 1711–1741 | Messiah | Germany |
| Frédéric Chopin | Frédéric Chopin | 1830–1849 | Nocturnes | Poland |
| Franz Liszt | Franz Liszt | 1840–1865 | Hungarian Rhapsodies | Hungary |
| Gustav Mahler | Gustav Mahler | 1895–1910 | Symphony No. 5 | Austria |
| Sergei Rachmaninoff | Sergei Rachmaninoff | 1901–1934 | Piano Concerto No. 2 | Russia |
| Camille Saint-Saëns | Camille Saint-Saëns | 1871–1886 | Carnival of the Animals | France |
| Jean Sibelius | Jean Sibelius | 1899–1926 | Finlandia | Finland |
| Dmitri Shostakovich | Dmitri Shostakovich | 1937–1960 | Symphony No. 5 | Russia |
| Erik Satie | Erik Satie | 1890–1917 | Gymnopédies | France |
Blues
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Johnson | Robert Johnson | 1936–1937 | King of the Delta Blues Singers | United States |
| B.B. King | B.B. King | 1965–1975 | Live at the Regal | United States |
| Muddy Waters | Muddy Waters | 1950–1956 | Hard Again | United States |
| Howlin’ Wolf | Howlin’ Wolf | 1956–1964 | Moanin’ in the Moonlight | United States |
| John Lee Hooker | John Lee Hooker | 1951–1962 | Boogie Chillen’ | United States |
| Buddy Guy | Buddy Guy | 1968–1972 | A Man and the Blues | United States |
| Etta James | Etta James | 1960–1968 | At Last! | United States |
| Stevie Ray Vaughan | Stevie Ray Vaughan | 1983–1989 | Texas Flood | United States |
| Albert King | Albert King | 1967–1972 | Born Under a Bad Sign | United States |
| Freddie King | Freddie King | 1961–1966 | Let’s Hide Away | United States |
| Son House | Son House | 1930–1935 | Father of the Delta Blues | United States |
| Elmore James | Elmore James | 1952–1963 | The Sky Is Crying | United States |
| Lightnin’ Hopkins | Lightnin’ Hopkins | 1947–1960 | Lightnin’ Strikes | United States |
| T-Bone Walker | T-Bone Walker | 1942–1950 | T-Bone Blues | United States |
| Junior Wells | Junior Wells | 1965–1970 | Hoodoo Man Blues | United States |
| Otis Rush | Otis Rush | 1958–1965 | Right Place, Wrong Time | United States |
| Bo Diddley | Bo Diddley | 1955–1960 | Bo Diddley | United States |
| Big Mama Thornton | Big Mama Thornton | 1953–1957 | Ball and Chain | United States |
| Gary Clark Jr. | Gary Clark Jr. | 2012–2018 | Blak and Blu | United States |
| Joe Bonamassa | Joe Bonamassa | 2007–2015 | Blues Deluxe | United States |
Folk
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Dylan | Bob Dylan | 1963–1966 | Highway 61 Revisited | United States |
| Joan Baez | Joan Baez | 1962–1968 | Diamonds & Rust | United States |
| Woody Guthrie | Woody Guthrie | 1939–1945 | Dust Bowl Ballads | United States |
| Pete Seeger | Pete Seeger | 1955–1965 | We Shall Overcome | United States |
| Joni Mitchell | Joni Mitchell | 1969–1974 | Blue | Canada |
| Simon & Garfunkel | Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel | 1965–1970 | Bridge Over Troubled Water | United States |
| Leonard Cohen | Leonard Cohen | 1969–1974 | Songs of Love and Hate | Canada |
| Nick Drake | Nick Drake | 1969–1972 | Pink Moon | United Kingdom |
| Cat Stevens | Cat Stevens | 1970–1974 | Tea for the Tillerman | United Kingdom |
| The Carter Family | A.P. Carter, Maybelle Carter, Sara Carter | 1927–1935 | Wildwood Flower | United States |
| Lead Belly | Lead Belly | 1934–1948 | Lead Belly’s Best | United States |
| Gordon Lightfoot | Gordon Lightfoot | 1970–1976 | Sundown | Canada |
| Townes Van Zandt | Townes Van Zandt | 1968–1974 | Live at the Old Quarter | United States |
| John Prine | John Prine | 1971–1978 | John Prine | United States |
| Arlo Guthrie | Arlo Guthrie | 1967–1972 | Alice’s Restaurant | United States |
| Fairport Convention | Richard Thompson, Sandy Denny | 1969–1971 | Liege & Lief | United Kingdom |
| The Kingston Trio | Dave Guard, Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds | 1958–1963 | At Large | United States |
| Mumford & Sons | Marcus Mumford | 2009–2012 | Sigh No More | United Kingdom |
| Bon Iver | Justin Vernon | 2008–2011 | For Emma, Forever Ago | United States |
| The Decemberists | Colin Meloy | 2005–2011 | The Crane Wife | United States |
Hip-Hop / Rap
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tupac Shakur | Tupac Shakur | 1995–1996 | All Eyez on Me | United States |
| The Notorious B.I.G. | Christopher Wallace | 1994–1997 | Ready to Die | United States |
| Jay-Z | Shawn Carter | 1998–2003 | The Blueprint | United States |
| Nas | Nasir Jones | 1994–2001 | Illmatic | United States |
| Kanye West | Kanye West | 2004–2010 | My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy | United States |
| Eminem | Marshall Mathers | 1999–2003 | The Marshall Mathers LP | United States |
| Dr. Dre | Andre Young | 1992–1999 | The Chronic | United States |
| Snoop Dogg | Calvin Broadus | 1993–1996 | Doggystyle | United States |
| Kendrick Lamar | Kendrick Lamar | 2012–2018 | To Pimp a Butterfly | United States |
| OutKast | André 3000, Big Boi | 1998–2004 | Stankonia | United States |
| Wu-Tang Clan | RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah | 1993–1997 | Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) | United States |
| Run-DMC | Run, DMC, Jam Master Jay | 1984–1988 | Raising Hell | United States |
| Public Enemy | Chuck D, Flavor Flav | 1988–1991 | It Takes a Nation of Millions | United States |
| LL Cool J | LL Cool J | 1987–1991 | Mama Said Knock You Out | United States |
| Ice Cube | Ice Cube | 1990–1993 | AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted | United States |
| Scarface | Brad Jordan | 1993–1997 | The Diary | United States |
| Rakim | Rakim | 1987–1992 | Paid in Full | United States |
| Lil Wayne | Lil Wayne | 2006–2011 | Tha Carter III | United States |
| Drake | Drake | 2013–2018 | Take Care | Canada |
| A Tribe Called Quest | Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad | 1990–1996 | The Low End Theory | United States |
R&B / Soul
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvin Gaye | Marvin Gaye | 1971–1976 | What’s Going On | United States |
| Stevie Wonder | Stevie Wonder | 1972–1976 | Songs in the Key of Life | United States |
| Otis Redding | Otis Redding | 1965–1967 | Otis Blue | United States |
| James Brown | James Brown | 1965–1971 | Live at the Apollo | United States |
| Sam Cooke | Sam Cooke | 1958–1964 | Ain’t That Good News | United States |
| Ray Charles | Ray Charles | 1959–1963 | Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music | United States |
| Al Green | Al Green | 1971–1975 | Let’s Stay Together | United States |
| Smokey Robinson | Smokey Robinson | 1965–1972 | Going to a Go-Go | United States |
| The Temptations | David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams | 1965–1971 | Cloud Nine | United States |
| The Supremes | Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard | 1964–1969 | Where Did Our Love Go | United States |
| Curtis Mayfield | Curtis Mayfield | 1970–1974 | Super Fly | United States |
| Isaac Hayes | Isaac Hayes | 1969–1973 | Hot Buttered Soul | United States |
| D’Angelo | D’Angelo | 1995–2000 | Voodoo | United States |
| Mary J. Blige | Mary J. Blige | 1994–1999 | My Life | United States |
| Erykah Badu | Erykah Badu | 1997–2003 | Baduizm | United States |
| Alicia Keys | Alicia Keys | 2001–2007 | Songs in A Minor | United States |
| Usher | Usher | 2001–2004 | Confessions | United States |
Electronic
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kraftwerk | Ralf Hütter, Florian Schneider | 1974–1981 | The Man-Machine | Germany |
| The Chemical Brothers | Tom Rowlands, Ed Simons | 1997–1999 | Dig Your Own Hole | United Kingdom |
| The Prodigy | Liam Howlett | 1994–1997 | The Fat of the Land | United Kingdom |
| Depeche Mode | Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher | 1987–1993 | Violator | United Kingdom |
| Deadmau5 | Joel Zimmerman | 2008–2014 | Random Album Title | Canada |
| Skrillex | Sonny Moore | 2010–2014 | Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites | United States |
| Moby | Moby | 1999–2002 | Play | United States |
| Underworld | Karl Hyde, Rick Smith | 1994–1999 | Dubnobasswithmyheadman | United Kingdom |
| Fatboy Slim | Norman Cook | 1998–2001 | You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby | United Kingdom |
| Orbital | Phil Hartnoll, Paul Hartnoll | 1993–1996 | Orbital 2 | United Kingdom |
| Justice | Gaspard Augé, Xavier de Rosnay | 2007–2009 | † | France |
| Boards of Canada | Michael Sandison, Marcus Eoin | 1998–2002 | Music Has the Right to Children | United Kingdom |
| Armin van Buuren | Armin van Buuren | 2005–2012 | Imagine | Netherlands |
| Tiesto | Tiësto | 2000–2004 | Just Be | Netherlands |
| Disclosure | Guy Lawrence, Howard Lawrence | 2013–2016 | Settle | United Kingdom |
| Portishead | Beth Gibbons, Geoff Barrow | 1994–1998 | Dummy | United Kingdom |
Dance
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donna Summer | Donna Summer | 1977–1979 | Bad Girls | United States |
| Bee Gees | Barry, Robin, Maurice Gibb | 1977–1979 | Saturday Night Fever | United Kingdom |
| Chic | Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards | 1978–1980 | Risqué | United States |
| Calvin Harris | Calvin Harris | 2012–2016 | 18 Months | United Kingdom |
| Avicii | Tim Bergling | 2011–2015 | True | Sweden |
| David Guetta | David Guetta | 2009–2014 | Nothing but the Beat | France |
| Kylie Minogue | Kylie Minogue | 2000–2004 | Fever | Australia |
| Swedish House Mafia | Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello | 2010–2012 | Until Now | Sweden |
| Robin S. | Robin Stone | 1993–1995 | Show Me Love | United States |
| Crystal Waters | Crystal Waters | 1991–1994 | Surprise | United States |
| Technotronic | Ya Kid K, Jo Bogaert | 1989–1992 | Pump Up the Jam | Belgium |
| Armand Van Helden | Armand Van Helden | 1997–2001 | 2 Future 4 U | United States |
| Paul Oakenfold | Paul Oakenfold | 1999–2004 | Tranceport | United Kingdom |
| Basement Jaxx | Felix Buxton, Simon Ratcliffe | 1999–2004 | Remedy | United Kingdom |
Metal
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Sabbath | Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward | 1970–1975 | Paranoid | United Kingdom |
| Metallica | James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Cliff Burton | 1986–1991 | Master of Puppets | United States |
| Iron Maiden | Bruce Dickinson, Steve Harris, Adrian Smith | 1982–1988 | The Number of the Beast | United Kingdom |
| Judas Priest | Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing | 1978–1984 | British Steel | United Kingdom |
| Megadeth | Dave Mustaine, Marty Friedman | 1988–1992 | Rust in Peace | United States |
| Slayer | Tom Araya, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman | 1986–1990 | Reign in Blood | United States |
| Pantera | Phil Anselmo, Dimebag Darrell, Vinnie Paul | 1992–1996 | Vulgar Display of Power | United States |
| Death | Chuck Schuldiner | 1991–1995 | Symbolic | United States |
| Opeth | Mikael Åkerfeldt | 2001–2005 | Blackwater Park | Sweden |
| Tool | Maynard James Keenan, Adam Jones | 1996–2001 | Lateralus | United States |
| Motörhead | Lemmy Kilmister | 1979–1984 | Ace of Spades | United Kingdom |
| Anthrax | Scott Ian, Joey Belladonna | 1987–1991 | Among the Living | United States |
| Cannibal Corpse | George Fisher, Alex Webster | 1992–1996 | Tomb of the Mutilated | United States |
| Mayhem | Euronymous, Attila Csihar | 1993–1994 | De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas | Norway |
| Emperor | Ihsahn | 1994–1999 | In the Nightside Eclipse | Norway |
| Dio | Ronnie James Dio | 1983–1987 | Holy Diver | United States |
| Nightwish | Tuomas Holopainen, Tarja Turunen | 2000–2004 | Once | Finland |
| Dream Theater | John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy | 1992–1999 | Images and Words | United States |
| Slipknot | Corey Taylor, Shawn Crahan | 1999–2004 | Iowa | United States |
| Lamb of God | Randy Blythe, Mark Morton | 2004–2009 | Ashes of the Wake | United States |
Punk
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramones | Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone | 1976–1979 | Ramones | United States |
| Sex Pistols | Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones | 1977–1978 | Never Mind the Bollocks | United Kingdom |
| The Clash | Joe Strummer, Mick Jones | 1978–1982 | London Calling | United Kingdom |
| Dead Kennedys | Jello Biafra | 1980–1983 | Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables | United States |
| Black Flag | Greg Ginn, Henry Rollins | 1981–1984 | Damaged | United States |
| The Stooges | Iggy Pop | 1969–1973 | Raw Power | United States |
| Buzzcocks | Pete Shelley | 1978–1981 | Singles Going Steady | United Kingdom |
| Minor Threat | Ian MacKaye | 1981–1983 | Complete Discography | United States |
| Bad Brains | H.R., Dr. Know | 1982–1986 | Bad Brains | United States |
| Green Day | Billie Joe Armstrong | 1994–1997 | Dookie | United States |
| NOFX | Fat Mike | 1994–1999 | Punk in Drublic | United States |
| Rancid | Tim Armstrong | 1994–1999 | …And Out Come the Wolves | United States |
| Misfits | Glenn Danzig | 1979–1983 | Walk Among Us | United States |
| The Damned | Dave Vanian | 1977–1979 | Machine Gun Etiquette | United Kingdom |
| Fugazi | Ian MacKaye, Guy Picciotto | 1989–1995 | Repeater | United States |
| The Germs | Darby Crash | 1979–1980 | GI | United States |
| Descendents | Milo Aukerman | 1982–1987 | Milo Goes to College | United States |
| Operation Ivy | Jesse Michaels | 1988–1989 | Energy | United States |
| X | Exene Cervenka, John Doe | 1980–1983 | Los Angeles | United States |
| Social Distortion | Mike Ness | 1990–1996 | Social Distortion | United States |
Raggae
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Marley & The Wailers | Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer | 1973–1979 | Exodus | Jamaica |
| Peter Tosh | Peter Tosh | 1976–1981 | Legalize It | Jamaica |
| Jimmy Cliff | Jimmy Cliff | 1969–1973 | The Harder They Come | Jamaica |
| Burning Spear | Winston Rodney | 1975–1982 | Marcus Garvey | Jamaica |
| Toots and the Maytals | Toots Hibbert | 1968–1974 | Funky Kingston | Jamaica |
| Desmond Dekker | Desmond Dekker | 1968–1971 | Israelites | Jamaica |
| Lee “Scratch” Perry | Lee Perry | 1973–1978 | Super Ape | Jamaica |
| Gregory Isaacs | Gregory Isaacs | 1977–1983 | Night Nurse | Jamaica |
| Black Uhuru | Michael Rose | 1979–1984 | Red | Jamaica |
| Bunny Wailer | Bunny Wailer | 1976–1982 | Blackheart Man | Jamaica |
| Dennis Brown | Dennis Brown | 1977–1984 | Visions | Jamaica |
| Steel Pulse | David Hinds | 1978–1984 | Handsworth Revolution | United Kingdom |
| Third World | Stephen Coore, Bunny Rugs | 1976–1982 | Journey to Addis | Jamaica |
| Augustus Pablo | Augustus Pablo | 1974–1979 | King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown | Jamaica |
| Max Romeo | Max Romeo | 1976–1978 | War Ina Babylon | Jamaica |
| UB40 | Ali Campbell | 1983–1989 | Labour of Love | United Kingdom |
| Ziggy Marley | Ziggy Marley | 1988–1994 | Conscious Party | Jamaica |
| Damian Marley | Damian Marley | 2001–2005 | Welcome to Jamrock | Jamaica |
| Shaggy | Shaggy | 1995–2001 | Hot Shot | Jamaica |
World / International
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fela Kuti | Fela Kuti | 1971–1977 | Zombie | Nigeria |
| Buena Vista Social Club | Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer | 1997–1999 | Buena Vista Social Club | Cuba |
| Ravi Shankar | Ravi Shankar | 1966–1975 | West Meets East | India |
| Youssou N’Dour | Youssou N’Dour | 1989–1994 | Set | Senegal |
| Cesária Évora | Cesária Évora | 1992–2001 | Miss Perfumado | Cape Verde |
| Ali Farka Touré | Ali Farka Touré | 1994–2000 | Talking Timbuktu | Mali |
| Astor Piazzolla | Astor Piazzolla | 1965–1975 | Libertango | Argentina |
| Fairuz | Fairuz | 1960–1975 | Safar Barlik | Lebanon |
| Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan | Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan | 1988–1996 | Shahen-Shah | Pakistan |
| Miriam Makeba | Miriam Makeba | 1963–1971 | Pata Pata | South Africa |
| Caetano Veloso | Caetano Veloso | 1968–1973 | Tropicalia | Brazil |
| Gilberto Gil | Gilberto Gil | 1968–1975 | Expresso 2222 | Brazil |
| Manu Chao | Manu Chao | 1998–2002 | Clandestino | France |
| Oumou Sangaré | Oumou Sangaré | 1993–2001 | Ko Sira | Mali |
| Tinariwen | Ibrahim Ag Alhabib | 2004–2011 | Aman Iman | Mali |
| Goran Bregović | Goran Bregović | 1988–1995 | Time of the Gypsies | Bosnia |
| Angélique Kidjo | Angélique Kidjo | 1994–2004 | Oremi | Benin |
| Anoushka Shankar | Anoushka Shankar | 2005–2013 | Rise | India |
| Yo-Yo Ma | Yo-Yo Ma | 1997–2006 | Silk Road Journeys | United States |
Christian / Gospel
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahalia Jackson | Mahalia Jackson | 1947–1958 | The Power and the Glory | United States |
| Kirk Franklin | Kirk Franklin | 1997–2005 | Stomp | United States |
| Amy Grant | Amy Grant | 1985–1991 | Heart in Motion | United States |
| Chris Tomlin | Chris Tomlin | 2004–2012 | Arriving | United States |
| Hillsong Worship | Darlene Zschech, Joel Houston | 1998–2010 | Shout to the Lord | Australia |
| Michael W. Smith | Michael W. Smith | 1990–1998 | Go West Young Man | United States |
| Donnie McClurkin | Donnie McClurkin | 1996–2001 | Stand | United States |
| CeCe Winans | CeCe Winans | 1995–2002 | Alabaster Box | United States |
| Yolanda Adams | Yolanda Adams | 1999–2005 | Mountain High…Valley Low | United States |
| The Blind Boys of Alabama | Clarence Fountain, Jimmy Carter | 1950–2005 | Spirit of the Century | United States |
| Andraé Crouch | Andraé Crouch | 1972–1980 | Take Me Back | United States |
| Lauren Daigle | Lauren Daigle | 2015–2020 | Look Up Child | United States |
| Casting Crowns | Mark Hall | 2004–2010 | Casting Crowns | United States |
| Third Day | Mac Powell | 1999–2005 | Time | United States |
| TobyMac | Toby McKeehan | 2001–2012 | Momentum | United States |
| Israel Houghton | Israel Houghton | 2003–2009 | Alive in South Africa | United States |
| Fred Hammond | Fred Hammond | 1995–2005 | Pages of Life | United States |
| Elevation Worship | Chris Brown, Steven Furtick | 2015–2022 | Here as in Heaven | United States |
| DC Talk | TobyMac, Michael Tait, Kevin Max | 1995–2000 | Jesus Freak | United States |
Soundtrack / Score
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Williams | John Williams | 1977–1993 | Star Wars (OST) | United States |
| Hans Zimmer | Hans Zimmer | 1994–2014 | Inception (OST) | Germany |
| Ennio Morricone | Ennio Morricone | 1966–1986 | The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (OST) | Italy |
| Bernard Herrmann | Bernard Herrmann | 1951–1960 | Psycho (OST) | United States |
| Howard Shore | Howard Shore | 2001–2003 | The Lord of the Rings (OST) | Canada |
| Jerry Goldsmith | Jerry Goldsmith | 1968–1992 | Alien (OST) | United States |
| Danny Elfman | Danny Elfman | 1989–1996 | Batman (OST) | United States |
| James Horner | James Horner | 1986–1997 | Titanic (OST) | United States |
| Hildur Guðnadóttir | Hildur Guðnadóttir | 2018–2021 | Chernobyl (OST) | Iceland |
| Alexandre Desplat | Alexandre Desplat | 2008–2017 | The Grand Budapest Hotel (OST) | France |
| Thomas Newman | Thomas Newman | 1999–2015 | American Beauty (OST) | United States |
| Elmer Bernstein | Elmer Bernstein | 1955–1970 | The Magnificent Seven (OST) | United States |
| Nino Rota | Nino Rota | 1960–1974 | The Godfather (OST) | Italy |
| Lalo Schifrin | Lalo Schifrin | 1966–1973 | Mission: Impossible (OST) | Argentina |
| Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross | Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross | 2010–2020 | The Social Network (OST) | United States |
| Michael Giacchino | Michael Giacchino | 2004–2018 | Up (OST) | United States |
| Gustavo Santaolalla | Gustavo Santaolalla | 2005–2015 | Brokeback Mountain (OST) | Argentina |
| Joe Hisaishi | Joe Hisaishi | 1988–2005 | Spirited Away (OST) | Japan |
New Age
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enya | Enya | 1988–2001 | Watermark | Ireland |
| Kitaro | Kitaro | 1985–1992 | Silk Road | Japan |
| Yanni | Yanni | 1990–1994 | Live at the Acropolis | Greece |
| Tangerine Dream | Edgar Froese | 1974–1984 | Phaedra | Germany |
| Mike Oldfield | Mike Oldfield | 1973–1976 | Tubular Bells | United Kingdom |
| Loreena McKennitt | Loreena McKennitt | 1994–1998 | The Mask and Mirror | Canada |
| Enigma | Michael Cretu | 1990–1994 | MCMXC a.D. | Germany |
| George Winston | George Winston | 1980–1985 | December | United States |
| Deuter | Deuter | 1975–1985 | Ecstasy | Germany |
| Paul Winter | Paul Winter | 1970–1980 | Common Ground | United States |
| Steven Halpern | Steven Halpern | 1976–1985 | Spectrum Suite | United States |
| David Arkenstone | David Arkenstone | 1990–2000 | In the Wake of the Wind | United States |
| Anugama | Anugama | 1992–2000 | Shamanic Dream | Germany |
| Karunesh | Karunesh | 1984–1995 | Sounds of the Heart | Germany |
| Gandalf | Heinz Strobl | 1990–1998 | Colours of a New Dawn | Austria |
| Liquid Mind | Chuck Wild | 1996–2005 | Ambience Minimus | United States |
| Constance Demby | Constance Demby | 1986–1995 | Novus Magnificat | United States |
Ambient
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stars of the Lid | Adam Wiltzie, Brian McBride | 1999–2007 | And Their Refinement of the Decline | United States |
| Biosphere | Geir Jenssen | 1997–2002 | Substrata | Norway |
| William Basinski | William Basinski | 2001–2005 | The Disintegration Loops | United States |
| Harold Budd | Harold Budd | 1984–1990 | The Pavilion of Dreams | United States |
| Tim Hecker | Tim Hecker | 2006–2013 | Virgins | Canada |
| Steve Roach | Steve Roach | 1984–1994 | Structures from Silence | United States |
| Loscil | Scott Morgan | 2001–2008 | Submers | Canada |
| The Orb | Alex Paterson | 1991–1993 | Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld | United Kingdom |
| Global Communication | Mark Pritchard, Tom Middleton | 1994–1995 | 76:14 | United Kingdom |
| Gas | Wolfgang Voigt | 1996–2000 | Pop | Germany |
| A Winged Victory for the Sullen | Adam Wiltzie, Dustin O’Halloran | 2011–2016 | Atomos | United States |
| Hammock | Marc Byrd, Andrew Thompson | 2006–2013 | Departure Songs | United States |
| Lustmord | Brian Williams | 1986–1995 | Heresy | United Kingdom |
| Celer | Will Long | 2008–2016 | Xièxie | United States |
| Oval | Markus Popp | 1994–1998 | 94diskont. | Germany |
| Alva Noto | Carsten Nicolai | 2001–2007 | Xerrox Vol. 1 | Germany |
Experimental
| Artist | Main Musicians | Peak Era | Signature Album | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Cage | John Cage | 1948–1960 | 4′33″ | United States |
| Karlheinz Stockhausen | Karlheinz Stockhausen | 1956–1970 | Gesang der Jünglinge | Germany |
| Throbbing Gristle | Genesis P-Orridge, Cosey Fanni Tutti | 1977–1981 | 20 Jazz Funk Greats | United Kingdom |
| Merzbow | Masami Akita | 1985–1995 | Pulse Demon | Japan |
| Sonic Youth | Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon | 1988–1994 | Daydream Nation | United States |
| Philip Glass | Philip Glass | 1976–1985 | Glassworks | United States |
| Steve Reich | Steve Reich | 1966–1976 | Music for 18 Musicians | United States |
| Laurie Anderson | Laurie Anderson | 1981–1985 | Big Science | United States |
| Can | Holger Czukay, Irmin Schmidt | 1971–1974 | Tago Mago | Germany |
| Faust | Jean-Hervé Péron | 1971–1973 | Faust IV | Germany |
| Sun Ra | Sun Ra | 1956–1971 | Space Is the Place | United States |
| Iannis Xenakis | Iannis Xenakis | 1958–1975 | Metastaseis | Greece |
| Autechre | Rob Brown, Sean Booth | 1996–2001 | Tri Repetae | United Kingdom |
| Coil | Jhonn Balance, Peter Christopherson | 1986–1992 | Horse Rotorvator | United Kingdom |
| The Residents | Homer Flynn, Hardy Fox | 1974–1980 | Duck Stab | United States |
| Nurse With Wound | Steven Stapleton | 1979–1985 | Homotopy to Marie | United Kingdom |
| Oneohtrix Point Never | Daniel Lopatin | 2010–2014 | Replica | United States |
| Arca | Alejandra Ghersi | 2014–2019 | Mutant | Venezuela |