20 famous singers from the Midwest

Tracy Chapman is from Cleveland, Ohio, which makes sense because her single “Fast Car” has something so Midwestern-sounding about it.

Known for his hits like “Ordinary People” and “All Of Me,” John Legend hails from the great state of Ohio. He is a huge fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and is always ready to cheer them on from The Shoe.

Many rappers and big personalities were born in Chicago, Illinois, and Chance the Rapper is one of them. In addition to representing his city online, the artist has given back to the state in several ways. In 2017, he donated $1 million to support mental health in Chicago's public schools. “I am honored to make this donation to the Chicago Public Schools Foundation and help nurture Chicago's creative minds,” he told the New York Times“I am committed to providing Chicago’s children with high-quality learning experiences that include the arts.”

Bon Iver loves his hometown in Wisconsin so much that he wrote a song about it – and yes, it’s called “Wisconsin.”

Although many people associate Eminem and his success with his time in Detroit, Michigan, the rapper, who has had five number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 is originally from St. Joseph, Missouri, and on his latest album, he shows a little love for his birth state. The death of Slim Shady.

The Midwest loved Prince, and he loved the Midwest. The singer was from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and although he could have lived anywhere after becoming a global icon, he never left. “I like Hollywood. I like Minneapolis just a little bit better,” he once said. During her interview with Oprah in Paisley Park (his once 10,000-square-foot home), he even joked that he loved the state so much because its bitterly cold winters “keep the bad people out.”

Many famous entertainers are from Indiana, including James Dean, David Letterman and of course John Mellencamp. He once spoke about his love for the Hoosier State, saying Bloomington has always been a “touchstone” for him.

Lizzo, from Detroit, Michigan, has always been open about her love for the Motor City. She once campaigned for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and said Michigan would be “decisive” in the 2020 election. She also had tears in her eyes during her stop in Michigan during her “Special Tour,” saying the night was “a very special night because we're home, bitch!”

Spencer Sutherland, the singer of popular songs such as “Sweater” and “Chicken Little” with Megan Trainor, is from Pickerington, Ohio, a suburb east of Columbus. In a 2016 interview, he talked about being from central Ohio, saying the Midwestern city helps him “maintain a very humble attitude.”

The only reason I know Gary, Indiana is because it is the home of Michael Jackson, the Jackson 5 and their famous sisters Janet and LaToya. Someone should translate “Gary, Indiana” from The Music ManPlease.

Chance the Rapper isn't the only famous musician from Chicago. Earth, Wind & Fire, known for their popular song “September,” also hail from the Windy City. They are a popular group with numerous awards, including seven Grammys, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Chris Stapleton, the country superstar with the angelic voice behind “Tennesee Whiskey,” lives with his family in Nashville. But he was born in Lexington, Kentucky. Some people think of Kentucky as the South, but I call it the Midwest because it shares an airport with Cincinnati.

We don't talk about Bow Wow much these days, but I will always be a fan because he's from my hometown (Columbus, Ohio), and his single “Like You” is a real smash that will take late 90's kids back in time.

Cleveland has it all. LeBron James, Halle Berry and Kid Cudi – the rapper who gave us his biggest and catchiest hit, “Day 'n' Nite.”

Anita Baker is a legendary artist who was born in Toledo, Ohio but grew up in Detroit, Michigan after being adopted by a foster family.

Twenty One Pilots is a rock duo from Columbus, Ohio, with a handful of catchy albums and a Grammy Award to match. They debuted in 2009 and in May 2024, the group released their seventh album, which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard 200.

Many of the members of Rascal Flatts are from Columbus, Ohio, and they love giving back to the community whenever they can. They once sang the national anthem at an OSU football game and in 2015 they headlined the Buckeye Country Superfest. In an interview with WCOL, Columbus' local country music station, lead singer Gary LeVox called Columbus “the promised land for me.”

Macy Gray appears and disappears whenever she feels like it, and sometimes I forget that the soulful singer has a Grammy and Billboard The Music Award comes from Canton, Ohio.

Babyface is not only an impressive singer, but also an exceptional songwriter. He has written some of the industry's biggest hits, such as “I'll Make Love To You,” “Honeymoon Avenue,” and “Never Love A Stranger.” Oh, and he's from Indiana!

We all know Luda and his five No. 1 hits, including “Yeah!” with Usher, but you may not have known that he's from the Windy City. In fact, he's one of Illinois' biggest fans. “…the taste of Chicago,” he once said of the state's many restaurants. “That's one of the things I remember as a kid that I cherish and love.”