Top 10 Most Underrated Music Artists Of All Time
by Ruksana
Updated Mar 27, 2024
Top 10 Most Underrated Music Artists Of All Time
These are the Top 10 Most Underrated Music Artists Of All Time, who shined like a star at some time but didn’t deserve more fame from fans. Despite their unquestionable talent and significant contributions to the music industry, these artists remain underrated and under appreciated by the people. They continue to create remarkable music that deserves more recognition and acclaim.
S.No.
Name
1
Carly Rae Jepsen
2
John Mayer
3
Rick Astley
4
Alessia Cara
5
Harry Nilsson
6
Topaz Jones
7
Kimbra
8
Ravyn Lenae
9
Katy B
10
MC5
Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen is a Canadian singer who became famous in 2012 with her song "Call Me Maybe." She was born on November 21, 1985, in Mission, British Columbia, Canada. She grew up loving musical theater and performed in school plays like "Annie" and "Grease." After high school, she considered becoming a music teacher but decided to pursue singing instead.
She went to the Canadian College of Performing Arts and started her music career after graduating. Carly worked various jobs in Vancouver to support herself while writing songs. In 2007, she got third place on a TV show called Canadian Idol, which helped her get noticed.
Her big break came in 2012 when "Call Me Maybe" became a massive hit worldwide. The song sold millions of copies and reached number one in many countries. After that, Carly released more albums and singles, including "Good Time" and "I Really Like You."
Name
Carly Rae Jepsen
Born
November 21, 1985
Birthplace
Mission, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation
Singer, songwriter, musician
Genres
Pop, disco, pop rock, folk
Years Active
2007–present
John Mayer
John Mayer is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was born on October 16, 1977, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He started playing guitar when he was young, inspired by watching movies like "Back to the Future" where he saw people playing guitar. His love for blues music grew after listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan, and he began taking guitar lessons to learn more.
Mayer's music career began to take off when he released his debut album "Room for Squares" in 2001, which included hit songs like "Your Body Is a Wonderland". He won a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for this song. Over the years, Mayer's music style evolved, blending rock, pop, and blues influences.
Apart from his solo career, Mayer has also been part of bands like the John Mayer Trio and Dead & Company. He's known for his soulful voice, skillful guitar playing, and heartfelt lyrics.
Name
John Mayer
Born
October 16, 1977
Birthplace
Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
Education
Fairfield Warde High School
Occupation
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer
Genres
Rock, pop, blues
Years Active
1998–present
Rick Astley
Rick Astley is a British singer known for his catchy pop songs. Born Richard Paul Astley on February 6, 1966, in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, England, he began his music career at a young age, singing in his local church choir. During his school days, Astley played the drums in various bands, developing a love for music. He caught the attention of record producer Pete Waterman and signed with RCA Records in 1985.
Astley rose to fame with his debut single "Never Gonna Give You Up" in 1987, which became a global hit. The song topped charts in 25 countries and earned him the Brit Award for Best British Single in 1988. He followed up with hits like "Together Forever" and "Whenever You Need Somebody," achieving commercial success with his albums.
Full Name
Richard Paul Astley
Date of Birth
February 6, 1966
Birthplace
Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, England
Occupation
Singer, songwriter, radio personality
Years Active
1985–1993, 2000–present
Spouse
Lene Bausager (m. 2003)
Children
1
Alessia Cara
Alessia Cara is a talented Canadian singer and songwriter who was born on July 11, 1996, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. From a young age, Alessia showed a passion for music and began posting covers of songs on YouTube when she was just 13 years old. Her soulful voice and raw talent caught the attention of music industry professionals, leading to her signing with EP Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings in 2014.
In 2015, Alessia released her debut single "Here," which became a surprise hit, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This success took her into the spotlight, and she soon released her debut studio album titled "Know-It-All," which became super hit.
Full Name
Alessia Caracciolo
Date of Birth
July 11, 1996
Birthplace
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Occupation
Singer, songwriter
Years Active
2009–present
Genres
Pop, R&B
Harry Nilsson
Harry Nilsson, born on June 15, 1941, in New York City, was a famous American singer-songwriter. He became most popular during the early 1970s. Nilsson's music was unique because he experimented a lot with his voice, recording multiple vocal tracks on top of each other. This created a rich, layered sound in his songs. He also liked to mix different musical styles, including rock and Caribbean sounds.
Growing up, Nilsson faced financial struggles, and his father left the family when he was very young. Despite these challenges, he discovered his love for music and began singing and playing instruments. He moved to Los Angeles as a teenager to pursue his musical dreams.
Full Name
Harry Edward Nilsson III
Date of Birth
June 15, 1941
Birthplace
New York City, U.S.
Origin
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Date of Death
January 15, 1994
Instruments
Vocals, keyboards
Years Active
1958–1992
Topaz Jones
Topaz Jones, born George David Brandon Jones in 1993, is an American rapper, singer, and filmmaker. He grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, surrounded by music, as his father was a guitarist for well-known funk bands like Slave and Aurra.
Despite being raised in a musical environment, Jones pursued higher education and graduated from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Jones entered the music field in 2013 with his debut single "Coping Mechanism," starting the beginning of his career as a recording artist.
Following this, he released his first album titled "The Honeymoon Suite" in 2014, showcasing his unique style of hip-hop, funk, and trap influences. In 2016, he released his second album, "Arcade," which featured the popular single "Tropicana."
Kimbra
Kimbra Lee Johnson, known as Kimbra, is a singer and songwriter from New Zealand. Born on March 27, 1990, in Hamilton, New Zealand, Kimbra grew up in a musical family, where her father was a doctor and her mother was a nurse. She began writing songs at the age of 10 and received her first guitar at 12, eventually performing in her school's jazz choir and competing in musical competitions.
In 2007, Kimbra's talent was noticed by music industry professionals, leading her to sign with Forum 5, a label in Melbourne, Australia. Her debut single "Settle Down" was released in 2010, followed by collaborations with artists like Miami Horror and Gotye.
Kimbra gained international fame for her collaboration with Gotye on the hit single "Somebody That I Used to Know," which won two Grammy Awards. Her debut album, "Vows," released in 2011, achieved commercial success and critical acclaim, showcasing her eclectic musical style blending pop, R&B, and jazz elements.
Full Name
Kimbra Lee Johnson
Born
March 27, 1990
Birthplace
Hamilton, New Zealand
Genres
Pop, R&B, Indie Rock, Art Pop
Occupation
Singer, Songwriter, Actress
Years Active
2000–present
Ravyn Lenae
Ravyn Lenae Washington, better known as Ravyn Lenae, is a talented R&B singer-songwriter born on January 22, 1999, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Growing up in a musical family, Lenae's roots trace back to Panama, where her maternal grandfather was part of a doo-wop group. This diverse heritage heavily influences her music, which seamlessly blends elements of alternative R&B, neo soul, and jazz.
Lenae's journey in music began during her middle school years, where she started writing her own songs. Her passion for music led her to attend the Chicago High School for the Arts, where she improved her skills in classical music. At just 15 years old, she invested $300 in a studio session, resulting in her debut single, "Greetings," which gather attention in 2014.
Full Name
Ravyn Lenae Washington
Born
January 22, 1999
Birthplace
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Alternative R&B, R&B, Neo Soul
Occupation
Singer, Songwriter
Years Active
2014–present
Katy B
Katy B, born Kathleen Anne Brien on May 8, 1989, in Peckham, London, England, is a well-known English singer-songwriter. Growing up surrounded by music, Katy's father was involved in the music industry, which influenced her love for music from a young age. She attended various schools in London, including the BRIT School, where she honed her musical talents.
Her career took off in 2010 with the release of her debut single "Katy on a Mission," This marked the beginning of her journey into the music scene. In 2011, she released her debut album titled "On a Mission," which received praise and produced hits like "Lights On" and "Broken Record."
Katy B continued to impress with her second album, "Little Red," in 2014, featuring popular tracks such as "5 AM" and "Crying for No Reason." Her skills as an artist were evident as she explored various genres of music.
Full Name
Kathleen Anne Brien
Also Known As
Baby Katy
Born
May 8, 1989
Birthplace
Peckham, London, England
Genres
R&B, Dubstep, Electronic Dance, House, UK Garage
Occupation
Singer, Songwriter, DJ
Years Active
2007–present
MC5
MC5, short for Motor City Five, was a rock band from Michigan, USA, formed in 1963. They were famous for their energetic performances and rebellious music style. The band consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson.
Their music blended different genres like hard rock, garage rock, and proto-punk. One of their most famous songs, "Kick Out the Jams," became an anthem is still celebrated today.
Band Name
MC5
Also Known As
Bounty Hunters, Motor City Five, MC50
Origin
Lincoln Park, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
Hard rock, Garage rock, Proto-punk, Blues rock
