{"id":30009,"date":"2020-01-30T23:00:29","date_gmt":"2020-01-30T23:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=30009"},"modified":"2021-10-28T17:27:35","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T17:27:35","slug":"atlanta-playlist-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/atlanta-playlist-music\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Playlist – Great Music from Musicians from Atlanta"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the largest city in the Southeast United States, Atlanta<\/a> is a Southern cultural capital. While Georgia\u2019s Southern voice is an indelible part of the city, Atlanta\u2019s diversity and growing urban influence also gives it a unique twist on its culture. This is evident in the city\u2019s music. Whether it\u2019s hip-hop, rock, R&B or Soul, Atlanta\u2019s unique blend of cultures makes for a thrilling experience.<\/p>\n

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1. Who Did You Think I Was \u2013 John Mayer Trio \u2013 2005<\/h2>\n

Classically trained John Mayer started his career with a pair of acoustic pop albums that established him as a purveyor of easy listening radio friendly hits. But in 2005 he shifted towards Blues, at one point even forming a Blues Rock trio and accompanying tour. His first single Who Did You Think I<\/em> Was segued into his Grammy nominated and Blues Rock influenced Continuum<\/em>.<\/p>\n

2. Welcome to Atlanta \u2013 Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris \u2013 2001<\/h2>\n

The 2000\u2019s were the decade when rap moved beyond East vs West battlegrounds to include the South and Midwest. Ludacris was one of the first Southern rappers to move into the mainstream and Welcome to Atlanta<\/em> would later become an iconic song of the decade. A later remix featuring New York City, St. Louis and Los Angeles would help solidify the song as a hip-hop hit.<\/p>\n

3. Waterfalls \u2013 TLC \u2013 1994<\/h2>\n

TLC is America\u2019s best-selling girl group and was one of the most popular musical groups of the 90\u2019s. Their single Waterfalls<\/em> was their second number one hit and spent seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.<\/p>\n

4. Hard to Handle \u2013 The Black Crowes \u2013 1990<\/h2>\n

As a Southern rock group in the 90\u2019s, The Black Crowes were somewhat of a throwback to an older era. Their hard rock vibes earned them the title the \u201cmost rock n roll rock n roll band in the world\u201d as well as Rolling Stone\u2019s<\/em> as the Best New American Band in 1990. Hard to Handle<\/em> is a perfect example of this new age rockibility mixed with alternative instrumentations.<\/p>\n

5. Stay \u2013 Sugarland \u2013 2006<\/h2>\n

The country-rock duo of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush was one of the most popular country acts of the 2000\u2019s. Their album The Incredible Machine<\/em> was certified platinum and helped them sell more than fourteen million records world-wide.<\/p>\n

6. Sorry \u2013 Justin Bieber \u2013 2015<\/h2>\n

When Justin Bieber released his single Sorry<\/em>, the song could be read as more than just another apologetic love song. The single, and ensuing album came after years of public mishaps and embarrassments. There was the pet monkey abandoned in Germany, the public misconduct and tabloid rumors in Brazil. And that was all in addition to several derivative albums and lackluster performances.<\/p>\n

Sorry<\/em> and the album Purpose<\/em> was Bieber\u2019s redemption. Featuring his best production team to date, the album would be nominated for multiple Grammys and feature on several of the year\u2019s \u201cbest of\u201d lists.<\/p>\n

7. One, Two Step \u2013 Ciara, Missy Elliot \u2013 2004<\/h2>\n

Atlanta based Ciara launched one of 2004\u2019s most popular dance numbers with One, Two Step<\/em>. The single peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.<\/p>\n

8. Losing My Religion \u2013 R.E.M \u2013 1991<\/h2>\n

Formed in nearby Athens, R.E.M was one of the first breakthrough alternative rock bands. Their ringing guitar work, distinct lyrics and vocals put American alternative rock on the musical map. R.E.M served as the original inspiration for other alternative bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Pavement while also providing the model for a handling commercial success as a band.<\/p>\n

Unique for successful bands, R.E.M were universally praised for keeping their music creative, authentic and engaging while still selling millions of records throughout the 90\u2019s.<\/p>\n

9. Hey Ya! \u2013 OutKast \u2013 2003<\/h2>\n

No other hip-hop group did more to popularize Southern hip-hop than Atlanta based duo OutKast. Made of rappers Andrew 3000 and Big Boi, the duo added influences from funk, jazz and techno to hip-hop and R&B beats. OutKast is one of the most successful hip-hop groups of all-time with six Grammy wins and millions of records sold world-wide.<\/p>\n

10. I\u2019ve Got a Woman \u2013 Ray Charles \u2013 1957<\/h2>\n

American icon and musical legend Ray Charles was born in Albany, Georgia and although he got his start in music outside of the state, he remains a favorite son of Georgia. Ray Charles was called \u201cthe only true genius in show business\u201d and is noted for his wide influences on a variety of genres, especially soul music.<\/p>\n

Artists as varied as Billy Joel, Van Morrison and Aretha Franklin have attributed their work to inspiration from Ray Charles.<\/p>\n

11. Live Your Life \u2013 T.I., Rihanna \u2013 2008<\/h2>\n

Clifford Harris, better known as T.I is one of Atlanta\u2019s most successful rappers and one of the pioneers of the Southern trap rap sound that grew popular in the 2000\u2019s and 2010\u2019s. T.I. has released ten albums, of which his sixth Paper Trail<\/em> was most successful. Live Your Life<\/em>, produced with Rihanna was one of T.I.\u2019s most popular songs and peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.<\/p>\n

12. The Silence \u2013 Manchester Orchestra \u2013 2017<\/h2>\n

Another indie star from nearby Athens, Manchester Orchestra was one of the most popular alternative acts of the 2010\u2019s. Named after the English city of Manchester, Manchester Orchestra combine lush textures and instrumentation with indie sensibilities.<\/p>\n

13. Sittin\u2019 On the Dock of the Bay \u2013 Otis Redding \u2013 1968<\/h2>\n

Universally considered one of the greatest singers in American history, Otis Redding revolutionized soul music and R&B. Born in Dawson, Georgia, Redding overcame racial prejudice in the segregated South to become one of the most successful musicians of his time. His song Sittin\u2019 On the Dock of the Bay<\/em> quickly became an iconic mainstay of the R&B genre as well as the first posthumous number one record on the Billboard Hot 100.<\/p>\n

14. Power of Two \u2013 Indigo Girls \u2013 1994<\/h2>\n

Atlanta folk-rock duo Indigo Girls are one of the most successful folk-rock duos of the 90\u2019s and 2000\u2019s. Composed of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, the Indigo Girls released nine albums between 1987 and 2007 before forming their own independent record label. The duo is active in outside causes outside of music such as developing projects in the restaurant industry as well as engaging in political causes.<\/p>\n

15. U Got It Bad \u2013 Usher \u2013 2001<\/h2>\n

This multi-talented singer, songwriter, actor and dancer is also one of Atlanta\u2019s most beloved sons. One of the best-selling music artists of all-time, Usher has won eight Grammy Awards and as well as filling countless TV, film and Broadway roles. Usher is perhaps the hardest working man in modern show business with ventures in business, fashion, and media to go with his long career in music.<\/p>\n

16. Mister Sandman \u2013 Chet Atkins \u2013 1954<\/h2>\n

One of the great songwriters, record producers and musicians in American history, Chet Atkins is credited with creating a pop Nashville sound that popularized country music around the nation. Atkins is also well regarded for his guitar work and was ranked by Rolling Stone as the twenty first best guitarist in history.<\/p>\n

17. The Boss \u2013 James Brown \u2013 1973<\/h2>\n

Known both as \u201cthe godfather of soul\u201d and \u201csoul brother no.1\u201d, James Brown is an unforgettable institution of American popular music. In a career that spanned for over fifty years, Brown created an influence that has lasted beyond generations.<\/p>\n

Brown recorded seventeen singles on the Billboard R&B charts, as well as released more than thirty studio albums. Rolling Stone<\/em> named him the seventh greatest musician ever, as well as the greatest musician of the rock era.<\/p>\n

18. Right Hand On My Heart \u2013 The Whigs \u2013 2008<\/h2>\n

The Whigs were a garage-band revival group from Athens that rose to national prominence, appearing on both late-night shows as well as touring with acts such as The Black Keys.<\/p>\n

19. Airplanes, Pt II \u2013 B.o.B, Eminem, Hayley Williams \u2013 2010<\/h2>\n

Hailing from Decatur, Georgia, B.o.B achieved wide popularity during the 2010\u2019s especially for his debut album that achieved double platinum. Although he struggled to find lasting relevance, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray <\/em>featured five singles, many of which topped major music charts.<\/p>\n

20. Summertime Magic \u2013 Childish Gambino \u2013 2018<\/h2>\n

At age 23, while studying at New York University, Donald Glover was hired by Tina Fey to write for her NBC sitcom 30 Rock. A few years later Glover rose to fame after starring on another NBC sitcom Community. Amid his rising acting career, Glover managed to find the time to release several albums under the name Childish Gambino.<\/p>\n

His third album, Awaken, My Love!<\/em> was certified platinum and cemented his status as a star in the hip-hop and R&B community.<\/p>\n

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Follow us on Spotify<\/a> for more great destination playlists<\/p>\n