Top 10 Music Artists Who are Great at Multiple Genres

Not every artist who genre-hops sticks the landing. Some try their hand at something new and sound like they just wandered into the wrong studio. But then there are those rare musical shape-shifters who don't just try different genres. They absolutely own them.

This list is all about those artists. The ones who didn't just dabble, they dominated. They didn't leave fans scratching their heads, they left them scrambling to figure out how one person or one band could sound like five different ones and still be excellent across the board. Some of them switched styles mid-career and pulled it off like a boss. Others mashed up genres in the same album, even the same song, and made it sound effortless.

You're here to decide which of these artists deserve top billing. Scroll through the names, think about their discographies, and vote for the ones who crushed it across genres.

1. The Beatles - Pop, Rock

   

   The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the development of the 1960s counterculture and the recognition of popular... read more

   The Beatles are famous for rock. We all know that. They are the best rock band.

   But clearly, they are also the greatest pop band ever. So I think they deserve to be at the top of this list.

   Pop, rock, psychedelia, progressive, metal, hard rock, blues, R&B.

   Any genre the Beatles already did, even rap, for example, the middle section of "You Never Give Me Your Money".

   The best at everything they ever tried.

2. Pink Floyd - Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock

   

   Pink Floyd are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They gained international acclaim with their innovative, conceptual music blending progressive rock and psychedelia. The classic lineup included Syd Barrett (vocals and guitar), David Gilmour (vocals and guitar), Nick... read more

   They started with psychedelic rock and became famous in it. Then they suddenly diverted into progressive rock and made the best of it.

   Don't forget blues rock.

3. Green Day - Punk Rock, Alternative Rock

   

   Green Day are an American pop-punk and punk rock band formed in East Bay, California, in 1987. The core members are Billie Joe Armstrong on vocals and guitar, Mike Dirnt on bass, and Tré Cool on drums, with Jason White often performing live on guitar. They blend punk rock, pop-punk, and alternative rock... read more

   Billie and Mike were teenagers when they first formed Green Day. Later, Tre joined them. In the 90s, they were punk rock but started to play alternative rock in the 2000s. They are the best punk rock band and also one of the greatest alternative rock bands.

4. Metallica - Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal

   

   Metallica is an American heavy and thrash metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup included James Hetfield (vocals and rhythm guitar), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), and Ron McGovney (bass). They first gained mainstream fame with their 1991 self-titled album (The Black Album... read more

   Their use of metal music genres is fluid throughout their music, with thrash and heavy metal being the main ones. They also use multiple different stylistic choices to maintain variety and change.

   Not just thrash metal, they were also a progressive metal band, blues rock, country, and acoustic rock. For this reason, they are sellouts.

   They were thrash metal in the 80s but became heavy metal in the 90s. They are great at both.

5. Linkin Park - Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal, Rap Rock, Nu Metal

   

   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), Emily Armstrong (vocals), and Colin Brittain (drums). Linkin Park... read more

   Extremely fluid band with multiple uses of genre in their music. Throughout all albums, they use different styles and ideas to incorporate new genres. Nu metal, alternative rock, hip hop, classic rock, punk, electronica, and even more. They used over 20-30 genres throughout their musical years, I believe. Truly iconic.

   Linkin Park always ranks in the top five of all these genres mentioned above.

6. Elvis Presley - Rock & Roll, Pop

   

   Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer and actor, widely dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll" and regarded as a pivotal cultural icon of the 20th century. His energetic musical interpretation and provocative performance style, bridging racial music traditions in a shifting era, both fueled his fame... read more

   The King of Rock and Roll also sang pop in the late '60s and '70s.

7. Deep Purple - Hard Rock, Heavy Metal

   

   Deep Purple is an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are regarded as pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical style has changed over the years. They originally played progressive rock but shifted to a heavier sound around 1970.... read more

   They also excel in Progressive Rock and Blues Rock.

8. Gary Moore - Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Blues Rock, Blues, Jazz

   

   Robert William Gary Moore was a Northern Irish musician, celebrated as a singer, songwriter, and virtuoso rock/blues guitarist. His solo career included the hit album Still Got the Blues (1990). Before cementing his legacy as a solo artist, he played in acclaimed rock bands such as Thin Lizzy and Skid... read more

   These songs are so different but they are all awesome: Still Got The Blues, Out in the Fields, Hurricane, Over The Hills And Far Away, Trouble Ain't Far Behind, Ready For Love, Empty Rooms.

9. Queen - Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Glam Rock, Thrash Metal, Pop, Opera, Gospel, Blues, Funk

   

   Queen is 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). Before Queen, May and Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury, a fan... read more

   Classic Rock: One Vision, Tie Your Mother Down

   Hard Rock: I Want It All, Hammer to Fall

   Thrash Metal: Stone Cold Crazy (the first thrash metal song)

   Glam Rock: Now I'm Here

   Pop: Radio Ga Ga, It's a Kind of Magic

   Opera: Bohemian Rhapsody, Who Wants to Live Forever

   Gospel: Somebody to Love, Let Me Live

   Blues: My Melancholy Blues

   Funk: Another One Bites the Dust

   Queen wins this.

10. Led Zeppelin - Hard Rock, Blues Rock

    

    Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass, keyboard), and John Bonham (drums). The band was largely the brainchild of Jimmy Page, who even financed their first tour... read more

    Jimmy was a blues guitarist in the early 60s. He joined the Yardbirds in the mid-60s and gathered rock experience. Later, he started to play rock, then hard rock. Some of his hard rock songs are considered heavy metal. But he and his band also played blues rock songs.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Dir En Grey - Progressive Metal, Death Metal, Deathcore, Alternative Metal, Metalcore

    

    Dir En Grey is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. The band is known for its experimental approach and diverse musical style, incorporating elements of rock, metal, and avant-garde. They have a strong international following and... read more

12. ?

    Northlane - Djent, Progressive Metalcore, Industrial Metalcore, Alternative Metal

    
The Contenders

13. Blind Guardian - Speed Metal, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, Progressive Metal, Heavy Metal

    

    Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in West Germany. They are widely credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power and speed metal subgenres. Heavily influenced by Queen, they use the technique of overdubbing and incorporate extensive orchestral... read more

    This band created at least one masterpiece in every genre they tried. From thrashy speed metal to symphonic metal - they nailed it. If you hear Majesty and then Wheel Of Time, you may not believe this is the same band, with the same band members (they changed only one drummer for 30 years).

14. Slipknot - Nu Metal, Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal

    

    Slipknot is an American metal band that formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1996. They're recognized as a key force in the New Wave of American Alternative Metal from the late 1990s through the 2000s. The band is also known for their black and red jumpsuits and horror-inspired masks.... read more

15. Bob Dylan - Folk, Rock

    

    Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, author, and artist who has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades. He gained fame in the 1960s with songs that became anthems for the civil rights and anti-war movements. In 2016, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in... read more

    Also:

    - Blues (Time Out of Mind)

    - Country (Nashville Skyline)

    - Rap (Subterranean Homesick Blues)

    - Gospel (1979-81)

    - Jazz (New Morning)

16. Cher - Pop Rock, Dance, Disco, Folk

    

    Cher is an American singer and actress. Described as embodying female autonomy in a male-dominated industry, she is known for her distinctive contralto singing voice and for having worked in numerous areas of entertainment. Over a career spanning more than six decades, she has adopted a variety of styles... read more

17. Jimi Hendrix - Psychedelic Rock, Blues Rock

    

    Jimi Hendrix was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Though his mainstream career lasted only about four years from 1966 to 1970, he's widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in popular music.... read more

18. The Beach Boys - Rock, Pop

    

    The Beach Boys are an American rock band formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The original lineup included brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. They are widely recognized for their vocal harmonies and innovative studio work, especially on... read more

19. Falling in Reverse - Post-Hardcore, Metalcore, Glam Metal, Pop Punk, Hard Rock

    

    Falling in Reverse is an American post-hardcore band that formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008. The band is currently signed to Epitaph Records and includes Ronnie Radke, Max Georgiev, Christian Thompson, and Wes Horton III. Former members include Derek Jones, who passed away in 2020, as well as Ryan... read more

20. Coldplay - Alternative Rock, Rock, Pop Rock, Pop

    

    Coldplay is a British rock band formed in 1996. The group includes Chris Martin (lead vocals, piano), Jonny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass), and Will Champion (drums, backing vocals). Their manager, Phil Harvey, is often referred to as the unofficial fifth member.... read more

21. Megadeth - Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal

    

    Megadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, shortly after Mustaine was dismissed from Metallica. They have released 16 studio albums to date and have undergone numerous lineup changes, with... read more

22. Cream - Psychedelic Rock, Blues Rock

    

    Cream was a 1960s British rock supergroup power trio consisting of bassist and vocalist Jack Bruce, drummer Ginger Baker, and guitarist and vocalist Eric Clapton. The band was known for its blend of blues, psychedelic rock, and hard rock. Cream is often regarded as one of the first supergroups and was... read more

23. Guns N' Roses - Hard Rock, Glam Metal

    

    Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. In addition to hard rock, they are also... read more

24. Babymetal - J-Pop, Metal

    

    Babymetal is a Japanese kawaii metal band that blends J-pop and heavy metal. The original lineup featured Suzuka Nakamoto as "Su-metal," Moa Kikuchi as "Moametal," and Yui Mizuno as "Yuimetal." Yui Mizuno left the group in 2018 due to health issues, and in 2023, Momoko Okazaki officially joined the group... read more

25. The Doors - Psychedelic Rock, Blues Rock

    

    The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, comprising vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most influential and occasionally controversial rock acts of the 1960s, largely due to Morrison's poetic... read more

26. Simple Minds - Synthpop, Rock

    

    Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band that formed in 1977. They achieved major commercial success during the 1980s with albums like New Gold Dream and Once Upon a Time. Despite changes in the band's lineup, they have continued to release new music and tour internationally.

27. Bee Gees - Psychedelic Rock, Baroque Pop, Disco

    

    The Bee Gees were a pop music group formed in 1958. The group consisted of brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. They gained international fame for their distinctive harmonies and became major contributors to the disco era with hits like Stayin' Alive and Night Fever.