Most Original Music Artists

The Top Ten
1 Frank Zappa Frank Vincent Zappa was an American musician, songwriter, composer, record producer, actor and filmmaker.

A highly proficient guitarist, anti-drug, anti-censorship, and anti-anything that made him angry. He worked with some of the best musicians of his day. He was an original music artist in the best sense of the word. He took his craft seriously but had fun at the same time.

Could he be called a modern classical composer like Philip Glass and Terry Riley?

2 Beck Beck Hansen, known by stage name Beck, is an American singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. He is mostly known for his musical composition, as well as a palette of sonic genres.

Amazing guy. He has literally changed my life and my musical taste since I first discovered him! I love his work, from old to new.

I don't know what it is. I just love Beck - he's a genius.

3 Bjork Björk Guðmundsdóttir, (born 21 November 1965) is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, composer, record producer and actress. Over her four-decade career, she has developed an eclectic musical style that draws on influences and genres including electronic, pop, jazz, experimental, trip hop, alternative,... read more

Interesting lyrics, interesting vocals, and very few like her.

She is one of the best musicians and artists out there.

4 Primus Primus is an American funk metal band based in San Francisco, California, currently composed of bassist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Tim Alexander. Les Claypool is regarded as one of the best bassists of all time for his slap-bass ability in notable songs like "My Name Is Mud",... read more
5 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 most unique, incredible, original, creative band to ever live. So underrated. The best band, not only of the '90s but of all time. There is no comparison. This is where music should just give up - no one will ever be as good as Tool. They're too intelligent and musically inclined to match.

It might seem like I'm taking this a bit far, but I don't think so. Best band EVER.

The start of the end when it comes to metal, but despite what some people say, this is a very clever and consistently great band.

6 Ween Ween is an American experimental rock band formed in 1984, in New Hope, PA. It's members are Dean and Gene Ween.
7 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

Listening to Michael Jackson's songs today makes me believe the way his music sounded was totally different from what was considered pop at the time. He completely reinvented pop by making it so unique.

His melodies were completely unique and flowed almost perfectly. People are still borrowing ideas and quirks from Michael to this day. A true legend.

8 Gorillaz Gorillaz are an English virtual band created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. The band consists of four animated members: 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs.

They're an animated band consisting of a superchild, a Satanist, a drummer who is possessed, and a singer without eyes. Besides that, Gorillaz are basically their own genre. They're unique, original, and flat-out amazing!

Very unique sound. Damon Albarn is incredibly creative and free with Gorillaz, which is uniquely accompanied by Jamie Hewlett's original art style.

Nothing else sounds like them. All of their songs sound different, and they mix genres together in a way that works.

9 Radiohead Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments), Colin Greenwoood (bass guitar), Phil Selway (drums), and Ed O'Brien (guitar).

Definitely Radiohead. Grunge, arena rock, prog, electronica, ambient, jazz, krautrock, and rhythm all in one band.

There is a reason they're high on everyone's list - it's because they're awesome.

10 Robbie Williams Robert Peter Williams is an English singer, songwriter and actor. He was a member of the pop group Take That from 1990 to 1995 and again from 2009 to 2012. He has also had commercial success as a solo artist.

His songs have interesting lyrics that sometimes carry a double meaning. His voice is unique, and he has an amazing personality.

The Contenders
11 KoRn Korn is an American nu-metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The band's current lineup includes founding members Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Brian "Head" Welch, and Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, with the addition of Ray Luzier, who replaced the band's original member, David... read more
12 The White Stripes The White Stripes were an American rock duo, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The duo consists of only a couple married at the time, Jack White, whose real name was Jack Gillis (songwriter, lead vocalist, guitarist, bassist and keyboardist) and Meg White (drummer and backing vocalist). After they... read more

They only have two members, but they're better than half of the stuff out today.

The music is catchy, and Jack White is a brilliant guitarist.

13 Mr. Bungle Mr. Bungle was an American experimental rock band from Northern California. Known for a highly eclectic style, the band often cycled through several musical genres within the course of a single song, including heavy metal, avant-garde jazz, ska, disco as well as funk.

One does not simply get more original than Bungle. All of Mike Patton's other projects are 29 times more original than any of the other artists on this list.

14 Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined... read more

I know what you're thinking, but when he started, no one was doing what he did. He changed the face of music forever. For that reason, he's here.

15 Marilyn Manson Marilyn Manson is an American rock band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by frontman Marilyn Manson and Daisy Berkowitz, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early 1990s... read more

No one is like him. In some people's opinion, that's a good thing. He's just so varied and definitely one of a kind.

16 The Residents The Residents are an American art collective best known for avant-garde music and multimedia works. Since their first official release, Meet the Residents, the group has released over sixty albums, numerous music videos and short films, three CD-ROM projects, and ten DVDs.
17 Kate Bush

She's very good. Kind of like a female David Bowie in the art rock sense, doing music for the music and whatnot.

Interesting lyrics, interesting vocals, and very few like her. This may or may not have been copied.

18 Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix (born November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970) was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter.

Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most... read more

He's the greatest guitar player that ever lived and has his very own distinctive style of playing music.

Just listen to his control of the guitar, and you'll see.

19 Tom Waits Thomas Alan "Tom" Waits, born December 7, 1949 is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor.

Waits has a distinctive voice, with this trademark growl, his incorporation of pre-rock music styles such as blues, jazz, vaudeville, and experimental tendencies verging on industrial music,... read more

Every album he makes is different from the others - you really don't know what he'll do next.

Elvis Presley at 11? Really? As far as I know, he somehow took Black music and sold it to a wider audience, so I don't see why that's considered original.

20 System of a Down System of a Down, formed in 1994, is an Armenian-American alternative metal group from Glendale, California. The band name is sometimes shortened to System or SOAD. They've always been a very political band since their inception. Often being against genocide and war most notably in songs like: Pluck,... read more
21 Jeff Buckley Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley (November 17, 1966 – May 29, 1997) raised as Scott "Scottie" Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist... read more

A mix of soul, R&B, Indian (world), rock, some jazz, folk, and blues. Blending styles can be tricky, but he did it effortlessly, and it turned out beautifully. He was inspired by the vocal styles of Robert Plant, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Freddie Mercury, and Morrissey. His inspiration for folky singer-songwriter lyrics and song structures was drawn from Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, Patti Smith, Cat Stevens, and even his own father, Tim Buckley.

His guitar playing is incredibly underrated. He originally wanted to be a great guitar player and only dabbled in singing early in his career. His guitar style combines jazz, blues, and rock influences to create his own signature style of alternative music. He had many more influences, including progressive rock, hard rock, and heavy metal bands. He even played some funk and reggae early on.

Jeff Buckley was a very creative and original artist - a once-in-a-lifetime gift that left us way too soon. Rest in peace, Jeff and Tim Buckley.

22 Amy Winehouse Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer and songwriter known for her deep expressive contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres, including soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz. She is also a well-known member of the 27 Club, as she overdosed on alcohol at age 27.
23 Lorde Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor (born 7 November 1996), better known by her stage name Lorde, is a singer-songwriter from New Zealand. She released her first EP "The Love Club" in 2012 and gained worldwide popularity with her song "Royals" at the age of 16... read more

A teen artist. Come on, guys, she's super talented and writes songs about her surroundings. Not songs about stuff like stay the night or some stupid stuff like still into you.

24 Queen Queen are an English rock band formed in London in 1970. The original lineup was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar, vocals). Before forming into Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had played together in a band... read more
25 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.

There is a reason Chithra is high on everyone's list - it's because she is awesome.

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