New York City — the city that never sleeps, the melting pot of dreams, and the birthplace of musical legends. From the gritty streets of Brooklyn to the bright lights of Manhattan, New York has been a breeding ground for some of the most iconic voices in music history. Whether it’s hip-hop, pop, soul, or jazz, the Big Apple has inspired generations of artists to rise, shine, and redefine the sound of their time. In this electric city where ambition meets art, talent isn’t just discovered — it’s forged in the fire of hustle, culture, and creativity.
This list isn’t just a roll call of chart-toppers; it’s a celebration of visionaries who’ve shaped music across decades, genres, and continents — all with New York in their blood. These artists didn’t just sing about the city; they embodied its pulse, its pride, and its promise. From arena-filling pop stars to game-changing rappers, these ten singers have left indelible marks on the global stage — and it all started in the Empire State. So turn up the volume and take a journey through the boroughs as we count down the Top 10 Most Popular Famous Singers from New York — legends who prove that if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.
1. Jay-Z
Jay-Z’s story is the ultimate American hustle — a meteoric rise from the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn to the peak of global business and music. Born Shawn Carter, he emerged in the mid-1990s with a gritty, razor-sharp lyrical style that captured the raw energy of East Coast hip-hop. His debut Reasonable Doubt is now hailed as a classic, filled with street wisdom and introspection. Albums like The Blueprint and The Black Album cemented his place among rap’s elite. But Jay-Z didn’t stop at music. He parlayed his success into a billion-dollar empire, investing in everything from fashion and sports agencies to streaming platforms and luxury spirits. His business acumen is as legendary as his rhymes. Songs like “Empire State of Mind” showcase his deep love for New York, while his later work reveals a mature artist grappling with legacy, fatherhood, and Black excellence. He’s mentored countless artists and changed the perception of what a rapper can be. More than just a performer, Jay-Z is a cultural architect whose influence spans generations. Whether behind the mic or at the boardroom table, he’s continually reshaped the game — and proved that greatness starts with a vision and a voice that refuses to be silenced.
2. Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand’s voice is one of those rare instruments that feels timeless — powerful, precise, and emotionally transcendent. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Streisand rose to fame in the 1960s with a combination of fearless ambition, undeniable talent, and a voice that could hush a room. She shattered traditional beauty standards and redefined stardom on her own terms. From her early Broadway triumphs to cinematic classics like Funny Girl, she seamlessly transitioned between stage, screen, and studio. Her songs — “The Way We Were,” “Evergreen,” “People” — aren’t just performances; they’re emotional touchstones. But Streisand’s legacy extends far beyond music. She is one of the few artists to achieve EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), and she’s been a pioneering force for women in entertainment, directing and producing at a time when few women were given the opportunity. Streisand has also been a fierce advocate for political causes and social justice, using her platform to speak truth to power. With a career that spans over six decades, her artistry remains as vital as ever. Barbra Streisand is not just a star — she’s a standard by which all others are measured, an icon in every sense of the word.
3. Billy Joel
Billy Joel is New York’s musical poet — a storyteller who captures the dreams, struggles, and soul of everyday life with a piano and a pen. Born in The Bronx and raised on Long Island, Joel brought a blue-collar sensibility to rock and pop, weaving vivid characters and scenes into songs that feel both cinematic and deeply personal. Hits like “Piano Man,” “Allentown,” and “New York State of Mind” are more than just songs — they’re slices of American life, filled with empathy, nostalgia, and honesty. His 1977 album The Stranger catapulted him to stardom, followed by enduring classics like 52nd Street and An Innocent Man. With over 150 million records sold, Joel is one of the best-selling artists of all time, but he’s never lost his grounded, storyteller’s touch. His monthly sold-out residency at Madison Square Garden is a testament to his enduring connection with fans. Despite stepping back from recording new material, Joel’s legacy continues to grow, powered by timeless music and heartfelt lyrics. He’s more than just the “Piano Man” — he’s a voice for the working-class dreamer, an irreplaceable part of New York’s cultural soundtrack.
4. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is a one-of-a-kind artist — bold, brilliant, and endlessly evolving. Born Stefani Germanotta in Manhattan, she was a piano prodigy with theatrical roots who reinvented pop music with her own dazzling blend of spectacle and sincerity. She stormed into the mainstream in 2008 with The Fame, captivating the world with her avant-garde fashion and instant pop classics like “Just Dance” and “Poker Face.” But Gaga quickly proved she was more than a pop provocateur. With each album — from the anthemic Born This Way to the emotionally raw Joanne and the shimmering Chromatica — she’s redefined herself without losing her core message of self-expression, acceptance, and empowerment. Her collaborations with legends like Tony Bennett highlight her vocal chops and deep musicality. As an actress, she earned critical acclaim and an Oscar for A Star Is Born, showcasing yet another dimension of her artistry. Offstage, Gaga is a passionate advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights, using her fame as a platform for healing and change. She’s not just an entertainer — she’s a cultural force, continually blurring boundaries and proving that pop music can be both art and activism.
5. Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys is the kind of artist whose music feels like a warm embrace — soulful, heartfelt, and undeniably human. Born and raised in the vibrant heart of Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen, she began playing classical piano at age 7 and quickly emerged as a prodigious talent. Her 2001 debut album, Songs in A Minor, blended classical influences with R&B and soul, earning her five Grammy Awards and setting a bold new tone for 21st-century music. Tracks like “Fallin’,” “No One,” and “If I Ain’t Got You” showcase not just her vocal range, but her emotional depth and lyrical sincerity. Alicia’s music often explores love, resilience, and self-discovery, grounded in her own experiences and universal truths. But her impact extends well beyond the recording studio. She’s a dedicated philanthropist, co-founder of the Keep a Child Alive foundation, and creator of She Is the Music, an initiative to uplift women in the industry. Alicia Keys is also a strong voice for self-love and authenticity, famously embracing a no-makeup movement to challenge beauty norms. With grace, grit, and piano keys at her fingertips, she continues to inspire as a modern icon of soul, strength, and artistic integrity.
6. Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is a once-in-a-lifetime vocalist — an artist whose five-octave range, songwriting brilliance, and chart dominance have made her a true legend. Born in Huntington, Long Island, Carey burst onto the scene in 1990 with her self-titled debut album, introducing the world to her signature vocal acrobatics and emotional balladry. “Vision of Love” set the tone for a career defined by vocal fireworks and heartfelt storytelling. Over the decades, she’s released a staggering collection of hits — from the pop-R&B fusion of “Fantasy” to the heart-wrenching “We Belong Together.” And of course, no holiday season is complete without her perennial megahit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” But Carey isn’t just a singer — she’s a writer, producer, and architect of her own sound, blending genres with ease and influencing an entire generation of vocalists. Her whistle register became iconic, while her glam persona and sharp wit made her a pop culture staple. With more than 200 million records sold, Mariah remains one of the best-selling female artists in history. She’s weathered personal and industry challenges with resilience and flair, emerging not just as a diva, but as a deeply respected musical powerhouse. Mariah Carey is nothing short of iconic.
7. Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez — better known as J.Lo — is the embodiment of star power. Born and raised in the Bronx, she began as a dancer on In Living Color before blazing her own trail through music, film, fashion, and business. Her breakout film role as Selena in 1997 introduced her magnetic presence to the world, and her debut album On the 6 confirmed she was here to stay. With hits like “If You Had My Love,” “Waiting for Tonight,” and “Let’s Get Loud,” Lopez seamlessly merged Latin rhythms, pop hooks, and club-ready energy. Her influence spans genres, languages, and industries. As an actress, she’s delivered powerful performances in films like Out of Sight and Hustlers, while as a businesswoman, she’s launched fragrances, clothing lines, and even headlined the Super Bowl halftime show. But J.Lo’s greatest strength is her work ethic and unshakable drive — traits deeply rooted in her Bronx upbringing. She’s long championed her Latina identity and used her platform to break barriers in an industry often slow to embrace women of color. With a career spanning decades and no signs of slowing down, Jennifer Lopez continues to redefine what it means to be a multi-hyphenate global icon.
8. 50 Cent
50 Cent’s rise to fame is a true tale of grit, survival, and transformation. Born Curtis Jackson in South Jamaica, Queens, he grew up amidst adversity, eventually channeling his life experiences into one of the most explosive rap debuts of all time. After surviving a near-fatal shooting in 2000, 50 exploded onto the scene with 2003’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’, a raw, gripping, and unapologetic album executive-produced by Eminem and Dr. Dre. “In Da Club” became a global anthem, and 50’s menacing charisma and razor-sharp delivery made him an instant star. But he didn’t stop at music. With business instincts as sharp as his lyrics, 50 built an empire — from his Vitaminwater windfall to producing and starring in hit TV series like Power. He’s a savvy mogul who navigates the entertainment world with street smarts and unapologetic bravado. His music remains anthemic and deeply personal, chronicling the struggle of rising from the streets to the boardroom. Even outside of rap, his cultural influence looms large. Love him or hate him, 50 Cent commands attention — a true hustler who turned pain into power and became a defining figure of 21st-century hip-hop.
9. Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj is a rap trailblazer who rewrote the rules of hip-hop with her quick-fire bars, flamboyant personas, and no-holds-barred confidence. Born in Trinidad and raised in Queens, Minaj cut her teeth in New York’s underground mixtape scene before launching into superstardom with her 2010 debut Pink Friday. With a kaleidoscopic mix of alter-egos, fierce lyricism, and pop-savvy instincts, she blurred the lines between genres, giving us hits like “Super Bass,” “Moment 4 Life,” and the explosive “Anaconda.” Her boldness set a new standard — not just for female rappers, but for anyone in the industry. She was unafraid to be loud, to be weird, to be powerful. Minaj opened doors for a new generation of women in hip-hop, proving that you could be both a lyrical heavyweight and a chart-topping pop icon. Her fashion statements, outspokenness, and the Barbz — her fiercely devoted fanbase — only added to her legend. Offstage, she’s a sharp businesswoman and cultural commentator who’s never backed down from a fight. With numerous accolades and still-evolving artistry, Nicki Minaj remains one of the most influential and dynamic forces in modern music. Queens-born and world-renowned, she is truly in a league of her own.
10. Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra may have been born in Hoboken, New Jersey, but his voice belongs to New York — and to the world. With his smooth phrasing, impeccable timing, and unrivaled charisma, Sinatra defined an era of American music and became one of the 20th century’s most enduring cultural icons. He first rose to fame in the 1940s as a swoon-worthy crooner and big band singer, but his reinvention in the 1950s as a solo artist turned him into a legend. Albums like In the Wee Small Hours and Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! showcased a new kind of emotional depth in pop music. Sinatra didn’t just sing songs — he told stories. And nowhere is that more evident than in his beloved anthem “New York, New York,” a tune that captures the very soul of the city. Beyond music, Sinatra was a film star, Rat Pack ringleader, and political player with a complicated, fascinating life. He exuded class, cool, and contradiction — a man who could charm presidents and bartenders alike. Even decades after his death, his influence lingers. Frank Sinatra wasn’t just a singer — he was a sound, a swagger, and a symbol of timeless sophistication.
Samuel Moore is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
