New York is the biggest city in the United States as well as a true wellspring of American culture. As they say, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. Some artists, however, definitely had a leg up in that department. As such, let’s meet the 10 biggest musicians from New York. (Learn about music artists with the highest approval rating.)
To compile a list of the biggest musicians from New York, 24/7 Tempo consulted various celebrity and music databases including The Famous People and Singersroom. From there, we chose artists that reflected a variety of time periods and musical styles. After that, we consulted websites like Biography and Britannica for artist’s biographical information.
Jay-Z
- Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
One of the biggest musicians from New York is Jay-Z. Born Shawn Corey Carter, Jay-Z is a rapper, producer, and business mogul. He rose to fame after co-creating Roc-A-Fella Records and releasing his debut album, “Reasonable Doubt,” which was met with critical acclaim. Jay-Z went on to release a string of commercially successful and critically-lauded albums including “The Blueprint,” “American Gangster,” and “4:44.”
Though he’s earned 24 Grammy awards and sold 140 million records, Jay-Z is also a monumentally successful businessman. With business ventures like Rocawear, the 40/40 Club, and co-ownership of the Brooklyn Nets NBA team, Jay-Z became the first hip-hop billionaire in 2019.
Billy Joel
- Hometown: New York
Born William Martin Joel, Billy Joel is a singer-songwriter and pianist. Joel rose to prominence after catching the attention of Columbia Records. Though he released a few records with Columbia, it was not until 1977’s “The Stranger” that Joel rose to worldwide fame. Throughout his long and storied career, Joel has won six Grammy Awards, scored 33 Top 40 Hits, and sold over 160 million albums worldwide.
Though pretty much committed to music, Joel has pursued other ventures as well. Due to his love of boating, Joel co-founded the Long Island Boat Company. He also opened a motorcycle manufacturing company in Oyster Bay, Long Island. For his music success, Billy Joel was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. (Here are baby boomer artists still making great music.)
Lady Gaga
- Hometown: New York
Another one of the biggest musicians from New York is Lady Gaga. Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, Lady Gaga first rose to fame with the release of her debut album, “The Fame,” which spawned hit singles “Just Dance,” and “Poker Face.” Since then, Gaga has seen unprecedented success, winning 13 Grammy Awards and selling 180 million records.
While known for her outlandish style, Gaga is also a noted activist. Besides being an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ community, she launched the Born This Way Foundation in 2012. This organization focuses on youth empowerment and teen mental health first aid.
The Notorious B.I.G.
- Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Born Christopher George Latore Wallace, The Notorious B.I.G. was a rapper. He first rose to prominence after signing to Bad Boy Records and making notable cameos on other artist’s tracks. After that, B.I.G released his debut album “Ready to Die”, which was met with instant commercial and critical success.
Though he was murdered in a drive-by shooting only a few years later, in death, B.I.G. has become a testament to East Coast hip-hop and music in general. Combined with “Ready to Die” and two posthumous releases, B.I.G. has sold over 28 million records. In 2020, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Alicia Keys
- Hometown: Hell’s Kitchen, New York
Born Alicia Augello Cook, Alicia Keys is a singer and songwriter. A talented pianist from an early age, Keys signed to Columbia Records at 15 years old. She first rose to prominence, however, with the release of her debut album, “Songs in A Minor.” This album was a critical and commercial success, selling 12 million copies worldwide and earning her five Grammy Awards.
Since then, Keys has released a number of hit albums and songs which has solidified her musical standing. Over the course of her career, Keys has won 15 Grammy Awards, 17 NAACP Image Awards, and sold over 90 million albums worldwide. She is also a noted activist. In 2003, Keys co-founded Keep a Child Alive, a non-profit that provides healthcare, housing, and other support for HIV/AIDs affected communities. (Discover the biggest pop hits of the 1960s.)
Tupac Shakur
- Hometown: East Harlem, New York
No doubt, one of the biggest musicians from New York is Tupac (2PAC) Shakur. Born Tupac Amaru Shakur, 2PAC was one of the most influential rappers of all time. He first rose to prominence with the release of his first album, “2Pacalypse Now.” From there, 2PAC released a number of hit albums and starred in various movies.
Though he was murdered in Las Vegas in 1996, 2PAC remains a central figure in both hip-hop and musical history. Though he never received a Grammy in his lifetime, his combined releases have sold over 75 million records worldwide. In 2017, 2PAC was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Neil Diamond
- Hometown: New York
Born Neil Leslie Diamond, Neil Diamond is a singer-songwriter. A struggling musician in the early 1960s, Diamond first rose to prominence as a songwriter for bands like The Monkees and Jay and the Americans. Once we went solo, however, Diamond tasted true success. Over the course of his career, he has had 10 number one singles and sold over 130 million records worldwide.
Though he was a fixture on the music touring circuit for almost five decades, Diamond retired from the road after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. For his musical success, Diamond received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.
Cyndi Lauper
- Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Born Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper, Cyndi Lauper is a singer-songwriter, actress, and activist. She rose to fame with the release of her debut album, “She’s So Unusual,” which was the first album by a female artist with four top-five hit songs. Since then, Lauper has won Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Awards as well as selling 50 million records worldwide.
In addition to her musical career, Lauper is a noted activist. An advocate of the LGBTQ community throughout her career, Lauper founded both True Colors and True Colors United. These organizations advocate for equal rights for LGBTQ individuals and work to end youth homelessness, respectively.
Tony Bennett
- Hometown: Long Island City, New York
Another one of the biggest musicians from New York is Tony Bennett. Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, Tony Bennett was a musician and singer. He first rose to fame with the release of his song “Because of You,” which hit number one on the charts. From there, Bennett had an illustrious and storied seven-decade career.
For his musical success, Bennett has won 20 Grammy Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and sold more than 50 million records worldwide. Active until his death from Alzheimer’s Disease, Bennett also broke the Guinness World Record for the oldest person to release an album of new material. (Learn about Top-Charting Collaborations Between Legendary Musicians and New Artists.)
Nas
- Hometown: Crown Heights, New York
Another one of the biggest musicians from New York is Nas. Born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, Nas is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. He first rose to prominence with the release of his debut album, “Illmatic,” which was an instant commercial and critical success.
Since then, Nas has released a string of lauded albums. Regularly making top 10 lists of the greatest rappers of all time, Nas has been nominated for a Grammy Award 13 times, with 10 of his albums becoming certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum. (Discover 25 surprising cross-genre mashups.)