Though one of America’s true artistic exports, Blues music, can be credited to the South in general, Mississippi is its home. Known for its swampy climate and complicated part in American history, The Magnolia State has also produced a long list of influential artists. Some even say the state is the birthplace of American music. Meet the 10 biggest musicians from Mississippi.
(If you’re looking for artists from a more northern state, meet the 10 biggest musicians from Ohio.)
To compile a list of the biggest musicians from Mississippi, 24/7 Tempo consulted a range of music publications including Hello Music Theory, Rolling Stone Magazine, and Singersroom. Next, we selected musicians from a range of genres and eras. After that, we consulted sites like Britannica and Biography to confirm the musician’s biographical information.
Elvis Presley
- Hometown: Tupelo
No doubt, one of the biggest musicians from Mississippi is Elvis Presley. Born Elvis Aaron Presley, he first rose to prominence recording for Sun Records in Memphis. There he penned his first number-one hit, “Heartbreak Hotel,” which sold 10 million singles within its first year. This in particular helped Elvis and his provocative hips take the world by storm.
After that, Elvis recorded several hit songs and began starring in movies. Some of his notable films include “Love Me Tender,” “Blue Hawaii,” and “Viva Las Vegas.” For his musical success, Elvis sold over 400 million records worldwide, won three Grammy Awards, and was inducted into multiple music halls of fame. However, due to his unhealthy eating and prescription drug abuse, Elvis died at the young age of 42.
B.B. King
- Hometown: Itta Bena
Another one of the biggest musicians from Mississippi is B.B. King. Born Riley B. King, he first rose to prominence as a talented guitarist performing on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. After that, he scored his first number-one Billboard Rhythm and Blues single with “3 O’Clock Blues” in 1952.
Furthermore, B.B. King would have a long and storied career, recording several hit songs, appearing in movies, and growing into his role as “The King of the Blues.” B.B. King won a whopping 15 Grammy Awards for his musical success and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Muddy Waters
- Hometown: Issaquena County
Another one of the biggest musicians is blues legend Muddy Waters. Born McKinley Morganfield, Waters first rose to prominence for his guitar work as recorded by Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress in 1941. A decade later, Waters tasted fame after he and his band recorded several hit singles like “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” and “I’m Ready.”
Throughout his career, Muddy Waters earned a reputation for his authentic and gritty sound which inspired countless future genres of music. For this reason, he was called the “father of modern Chicago blues.” For his musical success, Waters won six Grammy Awards and five Blues Music Awards. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.
Faith Hill
- Hometown: Ridgeland
Faith Hill is one of the most successful country musicians of all time. Born Audrey Faith Perry, Hill first rose to fame with the release of her first two albums, “Take Me as I Am,” and “It Matters of Me,” both of which saw singles place well on the Billboard charts.
From there, Hill released more hit albums including “Breathe,” which became one of the best-selling country music albums of all time. Furthermore, she is also married to fellow country superstar Tim McGraw. For her musical success, Hill has won 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, six American Music Awards, and 5 Grammy Awards. In 2019, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
(Surprisingly, Hill has never received a number-one hit. For others like this, read about popular artists who’ve never had a no. 1 hit.)
Jimmy Buffett
- Hometown: Pascagoula
Another one of the biggest musicians from Mississippi is Jimmy Buffett. Born James William Buffett, he first rose to fame with the release of hit songs “The Big 8,” and “Margaritaville.” From there he recorded several other hit songs, selling over 20 million records worldwide in the process.
Beyond that, Buffett is credited with establishing a subgenre of rock and roll that infuses tropical island sounds and escapism. This led to him becoming something of an institution. Due to this, Buffett opened several resorts, music festivals, and restaurants including Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant chain. Before his death, Buffett was one of the richest musicians in history.
Tammy Wynette
- Hometown: Itawamba County
Another one of the biggest musicians from Mississippi is Tammy Wynette. Born Virginia Wynette Pugh, Wynette first rose to prominence after signing to Epic Records and releasing the single “Apartment No. 9.” From there, she grew into one of the most popular country musicians of the time, with several hit singles including “Stand By Your Man,” “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad,” and “I Don’t Wanna Play House.”
A hugely successful country music singer, Wynette sold at least 30 million records worldwide. For her musical acumen, she won two Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, and three Country Music Association Awards. She was also inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Sam Cooke
- Hometown: Clarksdale
Another one of the biggest musicians from Mississippi and one of the most influential soul musicians of all time is Sam Cooke. Born Samuel Cook, he first rose to prominence as lead singer of the band The Soul Stirrers. Soon after that, he released an incredible 30 top 40 Billboard hits including “A Change is Gonna Come,” “You Send Me,” and “Wonderful World.”
Though he was known for his uniquely velvet and powerful voice, Cooke’s fame was short-lived. In 1964, he was shot and killed by the manager of a hotel in Los Angeles after a dispute. Nevertheless, Cooke’s unique sound and vocal talent inspired countless future musicians. For his success, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Hayley Williams
- Hometown: Meridian
The Mississippi-born Hayley Williams is best known as the lead vocalist for the band Paramore. Born Hayley Nichole Williams, she first rose to fame with her band Paramore. During the early 2000s, the band released several hit albums including “All We Know is Falling,” “Riot!,” and “Brand New Eyes.”
Since then, Williams has gained a reputation for collaboration. Some of her best-known collabs are featured on “Airplane” by B.O.B, and on the Taylor Swift song “Castles Crumbling.” For her musical success, Williams has won a Grammy Award, as well as multiple MTV Video Music Awards and Kerrang! Awards.
Bo Diddley
- Hometown: McComb
Another one of the biggest musicians from Mississippi is Bo Diddley. Born as Ellas Otha Bates, Diddley rose to fame in the 1940s and 1950s and is credited with helping American music make the transition from blues to rock and roll. Thereafter, he penned numerous hit songs including “Pretty Thing,” and “Say Man.”
Considered a huge influence on everyone from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to the Clash, Diddley helped incorporate African Rhythms into popular music. For his success and unparalleled influence, Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.
LeAnn Rimes
- Hometown: Jackson
Another one of the biggest musicians from Mississippi is LeAnn Rimes. Born Margaret LeAnn Rimes Cibrian, she first rose to prominence at a young age with the hit country single “Blue.” After that, Rimes became one of the most successful country artists of the 90s, penning multiple hit singles and selling tens of millions of records.
Thereafter, Rimes embarked on a more experimental period of her career, releasing pop-inspired albums like “Twisted Angel” and several successful Christmas albums. On account of her musical success, Rimes has won four Academy of Country Music Awards, two Grammy Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, and an American Music Award.
(For other artists that successfully crossed genres, explore 25 surprising cross-genre mashups.)