Top 10 Best Music Artists of the 21th Century

The Top Ten
1 Linkin Park Linkin Park is an American alternative rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The current members include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ), and Rob Bourdon (drums). Linkin Park is associated with a mixture... read more

This is the best band, man. Amazing voice, Chester, and great rap by Mike. They have many rocking songs like Numb, In the End, New Divide, What I've Done, Faint, etc. This band deserves first place. Those who didn't vote for this band are not humans at all. They don't have taste.

These guys have brought a new genre to the world that is Linkin Park. This is the only band which can give you any taste of music. If anyone is a fan of music, then he should know Linkin Park. "Respect Linkin Park" if you are music addicted.

This is not the expected result! It is agreed that 30 Seconds to Mars is a great band, but Linkin Park is the best rock band ever, not only in the 21st century but also since rock music was originated! Linkin Park is No. 1!

2 30 Seconds to Mars Thirty Seconds to Mars (commonly stylized as 30 Seconds to Mars) is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1998. The band currently consists of brothers Jared and Shannon Leto.

MARS owns the 21st century, having released their second album 'A Beautiful Lie' containing hits such as 'The Kill' and their third album 'This Is War' with hits such as 'Kings and Queens' and 'Closer to the Edge'. They've more than proven why they are the best.

Their second album 'A Beautiful Lie' consists of rock hits. Songs like The Story, The Kill, The Fantasy, Attack, A Beautiful Lie, Was It a Dream, R-Evolve, and other songs as well like A Brand New Name, and Hurricane. I'm not surprised they're voted the best rock band.

3 Eminem Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is an American rapper, actor and music producer born on October 17, 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Eminem has sold over 300 million records making him the bestselling hip-hop artist of all time. In addition to his solo career, he is a member of D12 and (with Royce... read more

This guy is the best-selling artist of the 21st century, so therefore he should be #1. For 5 years, he had problems with drugs and his best friend being killed. He had 3 classics in a row, 2 of them becoming diamond albums and has even won an Oscar for Best Original Song. And there are people like Bon Jovi and Michael Jackson who haven't done anything in the 21st century and are above this talented guy.

Almost every single rap artist looks up to him. He dominates the game in every aspect: Lyricism, beat, and tone. Because of this, he is the greatest selling rapper of all time, which is made even more impressive by the fact that he is in a genre composed mostly of African Americans, who often don't buy his songs purely because he is white.

4 Bon Jovi Bon Jovi is a hard rock/pop rock band formed in 1983, which had a streak of successful albums in the late 1980s. The band originally consisted of lead vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Ritchie Sambora (left in 2013), bassist Alec John Such (left in 1994), keyboard David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres... read more
5 Green Day Green Day are an American pop punk/punk rock band formed in East Bay, California in 1987. The members include Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals and guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), Tré Cool (drums) and Jason White (guitar). Green Day are associated with punk rock, pop punk and alternative rock. Some of their... read more

What is this? Green Day is an awesome band and one of the best artists in the 21st century. No one compares to them. They just rock. Their songs are so meaningful and full of emotion. They just rocked the '90s and the '00s. Their lyrics, song, music are so good. Albums like American Idiot, Dookie, 21st Century Breakdown are one of the best rock albums in the present era!

Green Day are the best band ever, end of. By the way, where are Queens of the Stone Age, The Strokes, Biffy Clyro, Weezer, on this list? Also, A7X should be higher up. Syn is an amazing guitarist. Yes, Green Day!

6 Michael Jackson Michael Jackson (Michael Joseph Jackson; August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose on June 25, 2009. He donated (at least) a remarkable 500,000,000 dollars to charity. Michael... read more

Michael Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records. His contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. I love you, Michael!

There is no current artist that even comes close to his genius and progress in modern music. #1

7 K.S. Chithra Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra, often credited as K. S. Chithra or simply Chithra, is an Indian playback singer from Kerala. Chithra also sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music.

She is not famous for just a single day. She was the best in the '80s, the best in the '90s, the best in the 2000s, and continues to be. Chithra is the best of the century in the truest sense.

She started her career with the best performance, and it continues...

8 Muse Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The members are Matt Bellamy (lead vocal, lead guitar, piano, keyboard), Dom Howard (drums, percussion) and Chris Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals). They've won several awards including 5 MTV Awards, 8 NME Awards, 2... read more

How many bands today can compete with these guys? How many of you can look cool when wearing Matthew Bellamy's bling jackets without being called suck? Haha.

I'm sorry, why is Muse 6th on the list? They are the best band overall on this list and deserve more respect.

The first band to ever sell out the new Wembley Stadium? In my opinion, the best band since The Beatles!

9 Coldplay Coldplay are a British pop rock band formed in 1996. The band consists of Chris Martin (lead vocalist and pianist), Jonny Buckland (lead guitarist), Guy Berryman (bassist) and Will Champion (drummer and backing vocalist). Manager Phil Harvey is often considered an unofficial fifth member. The band renamed... read more

Coldplay simply is one of the best bands of all time. They easily have 15 songs I adore. No other artist has that for me.

Currently the best and the most popular band on the face of planet Earth.

Not only the best band on this planet but the best artist!

10 Justin Timberlake Justin Randall Timberlake is an American singer-songwriter, actor, dancer, and record producer. Born and raised in Tennessee, he appeared on the television shows Star Search and The All-New Mickey Mouse Club as a child.
The Contenders
11 Arctic Monkeys The Arctic Monkeys, otherwise known as the Death Ramps, are a British indie rock band formed in 2002 in Sheffield, England. The band consists of Alex Turner (lead vocalist, songwriter, electric and rhythm guitarist), Jamie Cook (electric and rhythm guitarist, songwriter), Matt Helders (percussionist,... read more

If you want raw talent, stick with bands like Arctic Monkeys, Muse, and Kasabian.

"Brian... top marks for not trying!" They deserve top 3 for the accents alone! Haha.

This is the band that seems to have won more Brit Awards than anyone in the 21st century so far, at 5.

12 Metallica Metallica is an American Heavy/Thrash Metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman"... read more

Metallica has been the best from the start of its career. I never knew a band named 30 Seconds to Mars before TopTens. Slipknot should also be on the list.

What's amazing is how much this band has not changed. Look at Guns N' Roses, as well as many other bands, and you'll see, if they are still releasing albums, then they have changed a lot. Metallica has not changed all too much.

13 Kanye West Ye (born Kanye Omari West; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer and fashion designer. He is regarded as one of the most influential, as well as controversial, artists of the 21st century... read more

Kanye is the GOAT in any century! Go back and listen to his massive discography. You can't compare him to people who make 1 or 2 decent albums. Redo the entire list.

Listen to his catalogue. It shows the growth of the modern-day 21st-century young adult on his quest to take over the world. What an artist.

Why is he only at number 47? He should be in the top 5 at least and deserves to be number 1!

14 Tool Tool is an American alternative metal/progressive metal band, that was formed in 1990.

The band is set together between Maynard James Keenan (Vocals), Danny Carey (Drums), Adam Jones (Guitar) and since 1995 Justin Chancellor (Bass).

The band is known for their influences from electronic... read more

The music contains so much detail and some of the best lyrics ever to be written, best band of the 21st century, without a doubt! Personally, I think it's sad that so few people understand this music and give it the time it deserves.

15 McFly McFly are an English pop band formed in London in 2003. The band took their name from the Back to the Future character Marty McFly.
16 Nightwish Nightwish is a symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and lead singer Tarja Turunen. It's currently formed by Tuomas, Emppu, lead vocalist Floor Jansen, bassist and vocalist Marco Hietala,... read more
17 Beyonce Knowles Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, is an American singer and actress, who started out in the popular pop/r&b girl group Destiny's Child. They had multiple top 5 hits such as "No, No, No", "Say My Name", "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Survivor", "Independent Women", "Bootylicious", and "Jumpin', Jumpin" from... read more

She has been doing it for 15 years now and is still one of the top performers and one of the best vocalists of this decade. We have all seen new girls on the scene come and go! Bey is always here showing why she is QUEEN!

Beyonce has dominated music for almost 15 years. She has had hit after hit and remained humble, kind, and generous. She's the greatest of my generation, hands down. THE QUEEN!

With a cartload of awards accomplished within this period and counting, Beyonce always keeps herself at the top of her game. She's irreplaceable.

18 Alice In Chains Alice in Chains is an American grunge/alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley.
19 Katy Perry Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, professionally known by her stage name Katy Perry, was born on October 25, 1984 in Santa Barbara, California. She is a singer, songwriter, actress and an ambassador on one of the most popular companies of now, UNICEF... read more
20 Adele Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (born 5 May 1988) is an English singer and songwriter. Graduating from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in 2006, Adele was given a recording contract by XL Recordings after a friend posted her demo on Myspace the same year. She is best known with her international... read more

Best-selling artist of the 21st century.

21 Imagine Dragons Imagine Dragons is an American pop rock band from Provo, Utah, and are now based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Imagine Dragons' lineup consists of lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and drummer Daniel Platzman. The band first gained exposure with the release of their... read more

So many great songs in such a short time. Should be top 10 of this decade.

22 Busted Busted are an English pop rock band from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, consisting of James Bourne, Matt Willis and Charlie Simpson.
23 Heart Heart is an American rock band that first found success in Canada and later in the United States and worldwide.

They rock too! Just saw them live. And yes! They should definitely be on this list.

24 Evanescence Evanescence is an American alternative rock/alternative metal band. It was founded in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody.

She's the best! Amy Lee's the whole package. She's cute, she has an incredible voice, and their lyrics are so meaningful! Just amazing!

25 Maroon 5 Maroon 5 is an American pop/pop rock band that originated in Los Angeles, California. Before the current group was established, the original four members, Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael Mickey Madden and Ryan Dusick, formed a band known as Kara's Flowers in 1994, while they were still in high school.

I love Maroon 5, especially Adam. Great band. (And admit it, Adam is hot.)

I love Maroon 5 a whole lot, even sexy Adam Levine. You guys are the best at pop. I think they are better than One Direction. You rock, Maroon 5.

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