Top 10 Best Male Singers of the 21st Century

A great male singer can make a three-minute song feel like a full-blown emotional weather event. You might come for the range, the tone, the control, or that one ridiculous live note that makes you wonder if human lungs got a software update when nobody was looking.

The 21st century has given you singers from every corner of the music map, from rock and pop to R&B, metal, musical theater, hip-hop-influenced vocalists, and artists who refuse to stay inside one neat little genre box. Some are technical marvels. Some sound like they are singing directly from a cracked-open diary. Some can turn a quiet phrase into the best part of your day, then turn around and flatten an arena with one chorus.

This list is your chance to back the male singers whose voices you think have defined the century so far. Vote for the artists who have the skill, style, emotion, and stage presence to rise above the noise. There is plenty of noise, by the way. The internet made sure of that.

The Top Ten

Dimash Kudaibergen

Dinmukhamed Kanatuly Kudaibergenov, commonly known as Dimash Kudaibergen, was born on May 24, 1994. He is a Kazakh singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.
He gained international recognition as a contestant on the Chinese talent show Singer 2017, where he finished as the runner-up. Dimash... read more

He is in a class by himself. A true artist.
His voice is his instrument, though he also plays others. Does it all from opera to rap seamlessly.
His range defies comprehension. Never heard such talent in my 68 years of life. Voice of an angel.

He has a superb voice, from the lowest notes to the heavenly highs. He has a magical toolbox when it comes to his range and can fit into every genre out there. A wonderful, talented, and humble human with a gift from God.

He is the best not only for the 21st century but for all of time.
Chester Bennington

Chester Charles Bennington (March 20, 1976 to July 20, 2017) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the lead vocalist of Linkin Park.
Before he became known for his work with Linkin Park, Bennington was the lead singer of the post-grunge band Grey Daze, which was... read more

Come on, people... this guy has the most impressive voice ever. His singing abilities were ingenious and unique... he could even scream melodically.
He had a lot of pain hidden inside... and that's why he could sing the most heartbreaking songs so personally and emotionally.
Nobody will ever be better than him. This guy should and will never ever be forgotten.

Sings like an angel. Screams like a devil. And you can actually hear the best of him when he is singing live on stage, working the crowd in progress.

As expected. And he should be at this place. No one can take his place while he is alive.
Adam Lambert

Adam Mitchel Lambert (born January 29, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, and stage actor. He rose to prominence as the runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol in 2009. Since then, he has sold over 2.5 million albums and five million singles worldwide.

Adam Lambert is the best. No doubt. Adam is awesome.
Regardless of the high notes that Adam achieves, it is important to realize the quality of his voice in the high notes. He has a lot of technique and natural talent.
Adam uses a lot of mixed voice, he has a strong, explosive, and penetrating voice. Besides, Adam has excellent dynamics and control. Oh, and without forgetting that Belting is a technical marvel of Adam!

He can do anything from rock to pop to funk and do it exceptionally well. His range is phenomenal, and his stage presence is so engaging.
Check out his version of Cher's Believe, anything with Queen, and his new song Closer to You (Live Session). All different, all amazing!
Ed Sheeran

Edward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was born on February 17, 1991, in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk. He's known for hit songs such as "The A Team" (2011) and "Shape of You" (2017).... read more

His song "Perfect" is one of the most beautiful songs of all time, and you can hear clearly every word he sings plus his lyrics are wonderful.
He doesn't get changed half a dozen times at his concerts - that's a waste of time and money - just Ed, his guitar, his voice, and his songs, and the audiences LOVE him such that he's one of the highest-selling music artists of all time.

He is an amazing singer, and I have never seen a bad song by him. He also has a great voice.
He was the one who made me get heavily inspired in music. He just released his new album, Subtract, and I think it's one of his best albums ever.
David Draiman

David Michael Draiman is an American heavy metal singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the band Disturbed, a role he has held since 1996. Draiman also fronted the industrial metal project Device from 2012 to 2014.... read more

The hard rock singers are always underappreciated for their vocals. Draiman is a phenomenal vocalist and set himself apart from the rest by being able to hit notes the rest of the list can't.
Brendon Urie

Brendon Boyd Urie, more commonly known as Brendon Urie, was born April 12, 1987, in St. George, Utah. He is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and multi-instrumentalist. He became best known as the lead singer of the pop-rock band Panic! at the Disco and was its only constant member until the... read more

Should be number one. There is literally no note this man cannot reach.
Give any of his songs a listen and hear the clean transition from note to note, sometimes he pulls off the impossible. This artist even did a Bohemian Rhapsody cover from Queen which was flawless, leaving the Freddy Mercury replacement Adam Lambert in the dust.

Brendon should definitely be on this list, his vocal range is insane! And have you seen his live performances? Unlike some artists, he's very passionate about what he does, and I respect that.
Bruno Mars

Peter Gene Hernandez, professionally known as Bruno Mars, is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and choreographer.
Mars rose to fame in 2010 through his collaborations on the hits "Nothin' on You" by B.o.B and "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy, both of which featured... read more

I agree that he should be number one. He is an absolutely brilliant musician, singer, dancer, and composer. However, there is a great deal of jealousy and back-biting in the music industry.
Bruno withdrew his name from the music award list last year. I felt, along with a great many other people, that his hand was forced because he was winning too many awards.
Well, too bad for the other whining losers who can't compete with brilliance. And that's 24K gold brilliance.

He has that something. It's rare, and only a few people in the music world ever have it.
Sam Smith

Samuel Frederick "Sam" Smith is an English singer-songwriter born in London on May 19, 1992. They rose to fame in October 2012 after being featured on Disclosure's breakthrough single "Latch," which peaked at number eleven on the UK Singles Chart. Smith is well known for hit songs such as "Stay With... read more

The most incredible voice of the 21st century. His range and singing technique are insane. It has even improved in his second album, which I didn't think was possible. Should be at the top of this list.

They have a really beautiful voice, and they have really good award-winning songs, like Writings on the Wall and Stay with Me.
M. Shadows

Matthew Charles Sanders, better known by his stage name M. Shadows, is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and founding member of the American metalcore/alternative metal band Avenged Sevenfold. He is recognized for his versatile vocal range and for helping to shape the... read more

Love his voice. I hope they have another album soon.
Bryan Adams

Bryan Guy Adams is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, guitarist, photographer, philanthropist, and activist. He gained international fame with hits such as Summer of '69 and (Everything I Do) I Do It for You. Adams is also known for his humanitarian efforts and has been involved in various... read more

His voice is very melodious. His songs are not at all contrived.
His songs are the most soulful ones one can hear. A talent such as his should at least be above the likes of Justin Bieber, for crying out loud.

He has a really good voice, and he's talented at guitar, which is my favorite instrument. I like his songs.

The Newcomers

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Chris Cornell

Christopher John "Chris" Cornell (July 20, 1964 to May 18, 2017) was an American rock musician and singer-songwriter. He was best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and rhythm guitarist for Soundgarden and as the frontman of Audioslave. Renowned for his powerful voice, he possessed a wide... read more

RIP. Such an amazing voice. The best rock voice.
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Shawn Mendes

Shawn Peter Raul Mendes is a Canadian singer-songwriter and model. He gained a following in 2013 by posting song covers on the video-sharing application Vine. Mendes later signed a record deal and released his debut album, Handwritten, in 2015, which included the hit single Stitches.

The Contenders

Benjamin Burnley

Benjamin Jackson Burnley IV is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the founder, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band Breaking Benjamin, which he formed in 1999. The band has released several successful albums and is known... read more

One of the most original and unique singers nowadays. His voice is so beautiful. Just listen to his music, and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Adam Gontier

Adam Wade Gontier is a Canadian musician and songwriter. He is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter for Saint Asonia, and a co-lead vocalist for Three Days Grace. Gontier initially left Three Days Grace in January 2013 but rejoined the band in October 2024 to share vocal duties with... read more

How is this not in the top 3? Listen to Bitter Taste or I Hate Everything About You, and you hear how he is singing really. He sings with powered emotion, not just randomly saying stuff. He must be higher.

His voice is perfection. I like Matt, but Three Days Grace isn't the same anymore. Saint Asonia is going to be an amazing band.

The emotion he puts in his songs is just... it cannot be described by words.
The Weeknd

Abęl Makkonen Tesfaye, known professionally by his stage name The Weeknd, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was born on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Ontario. He began uploading music to YouTube in 2010 and later released several studio albums, including Kiss Land, Beauty Behind... read more

His songs have really good tunes, and he has a good head voice. He should be in the top 10. He is the most popular singer currently.
Chris Taylor Brown

I know this guy. He's the lead singer of the rock band Trapt. He's an amazing singer - no disrespect to Chester or Matt, but it's just my opinion.

Best rock voice out there. Even his ballads are amazing. Echo is his best vocal, in my opinion.
George Ezra

George Ezra Barnett (born 7 June 1993) is an English musician. After releasing two EPs, Did You Hear the Rain? (2013) and Cassy O' (2014), Ezra rose to prominence with the release of his hit single "Budapest," which reached number one in several countries. His debut studio album, Wanted on Voyage, was... read more
Adam Levine

Adam Noah Levine is an American singer and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist for the Los Angeles pop rock band Maroon 5.
Levine began his musical career in 1994 when he co-founded the band Kara's Flowers, where he served as lead vocalist and guitarist. After limited success with their debut... read more

His voice is so unique and perfect, and he is HOT! He's also really funny and down-to-earth (especially on The Voice), and he is literally God's gift. End of.

Amazing range, amazing live, and crazy unique voice. His falsettos are to die for. And he has a great low voice too, like in "Come Away to the Water".

Best voice, amazing songs... oh yeah, he's also HOT! What else do you need? Girls Like You and Sugar are my favorites!
Olly Murs

Oliver Stanley Murs, known professionally as Olly Murs, is an English singer-songwriter, television presenter, and actor. He first came to national attention when he finished as the runner-up on the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009. Since then, he has released multiple albums and served as a host... read more
Josh Groban

Joshua Winslow "Josh" Groban is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. His first four solo albums have been certified multi-platinum. In 2007, he was the number-one best-selling artist in the United States, with over 22.3 million records sold.
Zayn Malik

Zain Javadd Malik, born on January 12, 1993, and known mononymously as ZAYN, is a British singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Bradford, he pursued a music career from a young age, leading him to audition as a solo artist for the British television music competition The X Factor in 2010. After leaving... read more

Come on, he is so underrated. I mean, he can hit such high notes. He has so much vocal agility. He should be in the top 10. Two of his songs crossed 1 billion views on YouTube without any promotion.

He deserves to be quite a bit higher on this list. The way he switches registers so easily, with such effortless singing, is just mind-blowing. In his audition, he was nowhere near as good.

Most underrated artist. He has the best vocals. He should be in the top 10.
James Bay

James Michael Bay is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. In 2014, he released his single "Hold Back the River", which has been certified platinum, before releasing his debut studio album Chaos and the Calm. The album received critical acclaim and was nominated for multiple awards, including the... read more
Brandon Flowers

Brandon Richard Flowers is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the lead vocalist and keyboardist for the rock band The Killers. Flowers has also released solo albums and is widely recognized for his distinctive voice and stage presence.
Mike Shinoda

Michael Kenji "Mike" Shinoda (born February 11, 1977) is an American musician, rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, graphic designer, manager, and film composer. He co-founded Linkin Park in 1996 and serves as the band's rhythm guitarist, primary songwriter, keyboardist, producer, and co-lead... read more

"In the End" is a truly iconic song. Other songs such as "Hands Held High", "Bleed It Out", and "Remember the Name" are awesome as well. He is a truly sensible songwriter and rapper. Bring him up. He deserves to be in the top 10.
Billie Joe Armstrong

Billie Joe Armstrong (born February 17, 1972) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and guitarist of the punk rock band Green Day, which he co-founded with Mike Dirnt.... read more

Wide range and has written so many great songs.
Tim McIlrath

Timothy James "Tim" McIlrath is an American punk rock musician. He is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of the American punk rock band Rise Against. Known for his advocacy of animal rights, McIlrath is a longtime supporter of PETA and a vegan.... read more
Chris Martin

Christopher Anthony John "Chris" Martin is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. He's best known as the co-founder and lead singer of the rock band Coldplay.
He's written and produced for various artists and has been involved in many charitable efforts.

Perfect voice in both low and high notes and his falsetto is unique. He has the most recognizable voice, and it's perfect for every mood: calming, relaxing, motivational, joyful. It's like a hug when you need support in hard situations. He's the best for me.

He is really good at piano, and he has a really good voice. He can make really good songs for the band Coldplay, which he is in, which rock the charts.

Brilliant man with a brilliant voice.