Top Artists of the 21st Century… Born in the 21st Century
Streaming stats and chart debuts have defined music in the 21st century—but what’s even more remarkable is how many of today’s most impactful artists weren’t even alive when the century began. Here’s a closer look at 15 artists born since 2000 who’ve already made a serious mark.
Billie Eilish Broke Records Before Turning 20
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Billie Eilish hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with her debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?. She became the youngest artist ever to sweep the major Grammy categories in one night. Eilish also leads conversations around sustainability and industry transparency, all before hitting her mid-twenties.
Olivia Rodrigo Redefined Teen Pop Stardom
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After Drivers License in 2021, Olivia Rodrigo didn’t slow down. Her debut Sour turned heartbreak into a blockbuster, and then Guts followed with just as much impact. Every song on both albums made it into the Hot 100’s top 40, something no one else has done with two opening albums.
The Kid LAROI Scored With A Justin Bieber Collaboration
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Just weeks after appearing on the Billboard charts, Australian artist The Kid LAROI’s project hit No. 1. The 2021 mega-hit Stay, featuring Justin Bieber, stayed in the Hot 100’s top five for 34 weeks and was one of the longest-running top-five hits in chart history.
Qing Madi Found Global Reach With Afrobeats
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Nigerian singer-songwriter Qing Madi released her debut album I Am the Blueprint in January 2025. Her standout track Feeling Alright became her biggest U.S. Afrobeats hit, peaking at No. 15. She also won songwriter of the year at The Headies.
Benson Boone Blew Up With A Genre-Defying Ballad
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Beautiful Things didn’t sound like anything else on the radio, and that worked in Benson Boone’s favor. The 2002-born singer’s haunting track peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 and helped send his debut album Fireworks & Rollerblades into the Billboard 200’s top ten.
Lay Bankz Balanced Hits and Mental Health
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Philadelphia’s Lay Bankz made a splash with Tell Ur Girlfriend in 2024 and didn’t stop there. She dropped her debut album After 7, signed a deal with Under Armour, and released another banger with Baddie Decisions. Through it all, she’s been vocal about mental health and the reality of staying grounded.
Sombr Pulled Alt-Rock Back Into The Mainstream
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Sombr—born Shane Boose—is reviving an early-2000s alt-rock feel through hits like Back to Friends and Undressed. Both landed on the Hot 100 and sparked strong radio support. He was signed by Warner in 2023 after a viral indie release.
Jessie Murph Walks the Line Between Country and Hip-Hop
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Jessie Murph’s career straddles two very different genres, and she’s made them work together. Her 2024 track High Road with Koe Wetzel cracked the Billboard Country Airplay chart, while her Coachella debut featured surprise appearances from both Polo G and Diplo.
Ian Turned College Rugby Into Career Fuel
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Ian has come a long way from playing rugby at Clemson University just two years ago to climbing charts with Columbia at 19. His Lil Yachty collab, Hate Me, entered the Hot 100, while Magic Johnson went viral for its Lakers tribute.
Chino Pacas Earned A Co-Sign From Drake
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Mexican artist Chino Pacas wasn’t exactly unknown, but a DM from Drake changed everything. Their collaborations Modo Capone and Meet Your Padre charted on the Hot 100 and Global 200. His debut album, Que Sigan Llegando Las Pacas, brought emotional corridos and urban sierreño to U.S. charts.
NewJeans Kept Fans Engaged Even During Legal Drama
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Despite a quiet public phase due to issues with their label, NewJeans continued making chart waves. Their 2023 EP Get Up topped the Billboard 200. Singles How Sweet and Supernatural each racked up tens of millions of streams in the U.S. alone, while physical sales passed 1 million globally for both.
Bayker Blankenship Went Gold With A Breakup Ballad
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Country singer Bayker Blankenship earned his first gold-certified single in 2024 with Maxed Out, a track from his Younger Years EP. That success landed him on major festival stages and support slots alongside Whiskey Myers and Wyatt Flores. The Tennessee native is known for his emotional storytelling.
FloyyMenor Made Latin Chart History For Chile
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FloyyMenor’s Gata Only became a breakout hit across Latin music platforms. It topped Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart for 14 weeks. At only 19, he’s already reshaping expectations for what’s possible in música urbana from South America.
Laila! Graduated from High School, Then Went On Tour
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Before hitting the road, Laila! was just known for TikTok hits like Like That and Not My Problem. Those songs translated into real chart impact, with Like That reaching No. 3 on TikTok’s Billboard chart. By summer, she was headlining a 10-city North American tour and making plans for Europe.
Ty Myers Played Prom, Then Played Sold-Out Shows
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Seventeen-year-old Ty Myers made headlines for releasing his debut album, The Select, and hitting the Hot 100 with Ends of the Earth, then casually mentioned he’d be performing at his high school prom. His live shows gained momentum fast, eventually leading to a support slot at BST Hyde Park in London.