The following list includes notable musicians who were born or have lived in Chicago, Illinois.
A Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Operatic soprano and impresario Born in Chicago Pianist and bandleader Lived and performed in Bronzeville, Chicago neighborhood Violindustrial singer, violinist, poet, and author
B Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Jazz singer, songwriter, and pianist Born in Chicago Musician, associated with The Academy Is... Lived in Chicago Guitarist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Born in Chicago Rapper Born in Chicago Jun 1, 1925March 12, Violinist, "Ambassador of Music for Chicago" Lived in Chicago Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Born in Chicago Guitarist for Rise Against Singer Born in ChicagoHarold Bradley Jr.Oct 13, 1929Apr 13, 2021Singer of spirituals and blues, painter, actor, TV host, former football player, founder of Italy's iconic Folkstudio music clubBorn in ChicagoOscar Brown Jr.Musician, poetBorn in Chicago Drummer of My Chemical Romance Born in Chicago Lyricist Raised in Chicago Blues musician Born in Chicago
C Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Singer and keyboardist of the rock band Journey Born in Chicago Frontman of the rock band Lovehammers Born in Chicago Former singer and bassist of Chicago Born in Chicago Drummer for The Smashing Pumpkins (born Chancelor Bennett) Rapper Born in Chicago Singer Born in Chicago (born Keith Cozart) Rapper Born and lived in the Washington Park and Englewood neighborhoods on the South Side of Chicago Operatic baritone and vocalist teacher Lived in Chicago Singer Lived in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago Jazz saxophonist Born in Chicago Saxophonist Born in Chicago Singer Singer and guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins Lived in Chicago Blues musician Lil JoJo (Born Joseph J. Coleman) Drill rapper Born in ChicagoCupcakke (born Elizabeth Harris)RapperBorn and lived in Chicago
D Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Drummer and pianist Born in Chicago Famous Dex RapperLived in Chicago Singer and keyboardist of Styx (born Ellas Otha Bates) Rock and roll guitarist, singer, and songwriter Lived in Chicago Show 3, track 5. Blues songwriter and record producer Bill DoerrfeldClassical and jazz pianistBorn in Chicago RapperBorn in Chicago Classical pianist Lil Durk Rapper Born in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago
David Draiman (born 1973), lead singer for the band Disturbed
E ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Singer Born and began his career in Chicago Singer Born in Chicago
F Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference bassist Born in Chicago (a.k.a. Jeremih) Singer Born in Chicago Chicago blues musician Born in Chicago Guitarist for Bang Tango, Chuck Mosley, Stephen Shareaux, and Zen From Mars Born and raised in Chicago Jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer Born, worked and died in Chicago Jazz guitarist Born in Chicago Jazz saxophonist Born, worked and died in Chicago Conductor, pianist, organist, harpsichordist and composer Born and grew up in Chicago (born Richard S. Friedman) Singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnist Born in Chicago
G Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Polo G Rapper Born in the Old Town district of Chicago Singer Born and grown up in Chicago Bandleader Born in Chicago Singer Born in Chicago Singer Blues guitarist (a.k.a. Shawnna) Rapper Born in Chicago
H Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference May 1, 2008 Singer Born in Chicago Jan 9, 2009 Singer Born in Chicago Dec 29, 1944 Blues saxophonist and singer Born in Chicago Jazz pianist, bandleader and composer Born in Chicago Jazz saxophonist Born in ChicagoElizabeth Eden Harris (a.k.a. CupcakKe)RapperBorn in Chicago (a.k.a. Da Brat) Rapper Born in Chicago(a.k.a. Juice Wrld) Rapper, Singer Born in Chicago Jazz pianist Raised in Chicago, worked there for many years Singer Born in Chicago Singer Born in Chicago (born Chester Arthur Burnett) Musician Singer, actress, spokesperson, American Idol finalistBorn in Chicago Drummer for Fall Out Boy
I Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins Born in Chicago Blues guitarist and vocalist Raised and lives in Chicago
J Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference (a.k.a. Lupe Fiasco) Rapper Born in Chicago (a.k.a. Cashis) Rapper Born in Chicago Singer Singer and composer Born in Chicago Nov 3, 2024 Record producer Born in Chicago Electronic musician
K Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Folk singer Born in Chicago Singer and guitarist of Chicago Born in Chicago Bassist and vocalist of punk band The Lawrence Arms R&B singer-songwriter, record producer and convicted sex offender Born in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, lived in Douglas' Bronzeville area Singer ("Tell Me Something Good", "Sweet Thing" which she wrote for her then husband Richard Holland, "Ain't Nobody", "I'm Every Woman", "I Feel for You" and "Through the Fire") Born in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago Founder of Kimball Piano Company Singer and guitarist for American Football. Singer/songwriter under the stage name Owen. Born in Chicago Arranger, composer, conductor Born in Chicago Drummer and bandleader Born in Chicago
L Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Singer and keyboardist of Chicago Grew up in Chicago Jazz pianist and composer Born in Chicago (a.k.a. Zim Zum) Guitarist and songwriter for Marilyn Manson, The Pop Culture Suicides Born in Chicago Member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, former backing musician for Neil Young Born in Chicago Croatian American Musician Lives in Chicago Lucki Rapper Born in Chicago (a.k.a. Common) Rapper Born in ChicagoLil DurkOct 19, 1992Rapper SingerBorn In Chicago
M Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Keyboardist of The Doors Born in Chicago Singer and songwriter Born in Chicago Songwriter and guitarist Born in Chicago Rapper and activist Born in Chicago Lead singer and guitarist for Rise Against (a.k.a. Twista) Rapper Born in Chicago Guitarist (a.k.a. Muddy Waters) Blues musician Lived in Chicago
N Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Lead singer of Little River Band (a.k.a. Anastacia) Singer Born in ChicagoFrancis Warren Nicholls, Jr. (a.k.a. Frankie Knuckles)House music pioneer, called the "Godfather of House"Lived in Chicago, developed Chicago house genre
O Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Experimental musician Born in Chicago
P Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Singer actress Bass guitarist for Styx Born in Chicago Drummer for Styx Grew up in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago Woodwind player for Chicago Born in Chicago Rapper and poet Born and resides in Chicago Folk singer, songwriter Born in ChicagoJim PeterikFounding member of Survivor and member of The Ides of MarchBorn and raised in the Chicago suburb of Berwyn Singer Violinist Born in Chicago Rapper, known professionally as Smokepurpp Born in Chicago Bassist for Rise Against Born in Chicago Apr 7, 2020 Folk singer, songwriter Born in Chicago Vicky Psarakis Vocalist for The Agonist Born in Chicago
R Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference"Kal" David Raskin Guitarist, singer, songwriter, Illinois Speed PressBorn in Chicago Operatic soprano Born in Chicago (a.k.a. Kaskade) Electronic musician Born in Chicago Singer and actor Singer Born in Chicago Rapper Born in Chicago Singer Born in Chicago
S Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference RapperBorn in Chicago Drummer of the band Chicago Born in Chicago Rapper and vocalist for BtoB Silver Sphere Singer-songwriter Born and raised in Chicago Lead singer and guitarist of Alkaline Trio and blink-182 Born in Chicago (a.k.a. Rhymefest) Rapper Born in Chicago Singer, songwriter and poet Born in Chicago Composer Lead singer, rhythm guitarist and founder of bands L7 and Donita Sparks and the Stellar Moments; one of the founders of the pro-choice organisation Rock for Choice and of CASH Music Born in Chicago Singer Born in ChicagoLarry Steele1913June 19, 1980Songwriter, composer, and impresarioRaised in Chicago Lead singer and guitarist for Fall Out Boy Born in the Chicago suburb of Evanston Drummer for the band Styx Born in ChicagoJohnny SuhFeb 2, 1995Lead dancer, sub vocalist and sub rapper for NCT 127.Born in Chicago Composer Earl SweatshirtFeb 24, 1994Rapper, producer, and songwriterBorn and raised in ChicagoSmokepurpp May 15, 1997Rapper, Singer, SongwriterBorn In Chicago and raised Miami
T Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Chicago blues and electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Born in Chicago Singer Lived and died in Chicago (a.k.a. Hound Dog Taylor) Guitarist Guitarist of Soundgarden Composer and songwriter Born in Chicago Basso Born in Chicago Pianist Born in Chicago Guitarist for Fall Out Boy Singer and songwriter, member of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo Twista Rapper Born In Chicago
V Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Lead singer for the band Pearl Jam RapperBorn in Chicago
W Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Bassist for Panic at the Disco (a.k.a. Yung Berg) Rapper Born in Chicago Singer Singer Born in Chicago (a.k.a. Soulja Boy) Rapper Born in Chicago Bassist and lyricist for Fall Out Boy Jazz drummer Born in Chicago Rapper and producer Grew up in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago Bassist and Founding member for Earth Wind & Fire Born in Chicago Jazz trumpeter, composer, educator Singer born in Chicago (a.k.a. No ID) Hip hop and R&B record producer Born in Chicago Bassist for Smashing Pumpkins (a.k.a. G Herbo) Rapper Born in Chicago
Y Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Singer, author, actress Born in Chicago Guitarist for Styx Born in ChicagoYomoRegueton SingerBorn in Chicago
Z Name ImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference Singer Born in Chicago
Bands
Name ImageFoundedDisbandedMusicAssociationReference 88 Fingers Louie Punk band Founded in ChicagoAlacranes MusicalDuranguenseFounded in the Chicago suburb of Aurora Beach Bunny Rock band Founded in Chicago Big Black Punk/noise rock band Founded in Chicago suburb of Evanston The Buckinghams Sunshine pop band Founded in Chicago Cheap Trick Rock group Founded in Chicago, Cheap Trick plans to open a music complex on Motor Row in Chicago's South Loop The Chi-Lites R&B soul vocal quartet Founded in Chicago Chicago Rock band Founded in Chicago Cobalt & the Hired Guns Punk rock band Based in Chicago Disturbed Heavy metal band Founded in Chicago Do or Die