Hip hop
Credited with popularizing the crunk genre and bringing it to the mainstream with high-energy club anthems like "Get Low," "What U Gon' Do," and "Lovers and Friends".
Lil Jon
Waas one of the most successful and influential artists of the 2000s, known for her powerful vocals, mesmerizing stage presence, and iconic dance moves. With hits like Single Ladies and Halo
Beyonce
An artist who brought a unique progressive house and electro sound to the forefront with tracks like "Strobe" and "I Remember" (with Kaskade), which helped define the sound of the late 2000s and early 2010s festivals
deadmau5
Pioneers of crunk from Memphis, known for their distinctive, dark sound and hits such as "Stay Fly" and "Shake Dat Jelly
Three 6 Mafia
dominated the R&B charts throughout the 2000s with his smooth vocals, slick dance moves, and undeniable stage presence. With hits like "Yeah!" and "Burn"
Usher
Became a major figure in the late 2000s by successfully bridging house music with mainstream pop, featuring vocalists on massive crossover hits like "When Love Takes Over" and "Memories
David Guetta
Known for infectious, bass-heavy party anthems like "Salt Shaker" and "Wait (The Whisper Song)," they were essential to the club scene of the era.
Ying Yang Twins
Emerged as a precocious piano-playing prodigy and became one of the most acclaimed R&B artists of the 2000s with hits like No One and Fallin
Alicia Keys
Though their biggest hits came slightly later, they were a powerful force in the late 2000s, pioneering the "big room" house sound with tracks like "One (Your Name)
Swedish House Mafia
One of the most popular Southern rappers of the decade, known for witty wordplay and chart-topping hits like "Stand Up" and "Money Maker
Ludacris
Earned the title “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” for her signature blend of R&B and hip-hop with hits like “Family Affair,” and “No More Drama,”
Mary J. Blige
Started with a bloghouse/indie-electro sound before moving into the big room, chart-topping pop-EDM that dominated the turn of the decade
Calvin Harris
While prominent in the 90s, they achieved massive crossover success in the early 2000s with albums like Stankonia and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, showcasing the diversity of Southern hip-hop
Outkast
Known for his smooth vocals, clever wordplay, and catchy melodies, he quickly became one of the most sought-after artists of his generation.
His famous songs include “So Sick,” “Because of You,” and “Miss Independent.”
Ne-Yo
Known for the single most iconic instrumental EDM track of the decade, "Sandstorm" (1999/2000), a global phenomenon and essential festival anthem
Darude