Find out which chart-topping artists hail from Georgia—and some of their best-kept secrets.
Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFA.com
Ciara
We always knew she was royalty, so it’s only fitting that her given name is Ciara Princess Harris. All hail Princess Ciara.
Photo by Carl Timpone/BFA.com
Migos
Prepared to have your mind blown? The three members are directly related and were raised together: Quavo is Takeoff’s uncle, and Offset is Quavo’s cousin.
Photo by Virisa Yong/BFA.com
Lil Nas X
Turns out this Atlanta-born rapper has himself to thank for the infamous chart-topping country/hip-hop mashup “Old Town Road” going viral on TikTok via the Yeehaw Challenge. The rapper uploaded the song to TikTok himself and promoted it as a meme for four months. Soon, he had everyone drinking “Yee Yee Juice,” hoping it would turn them into cowboys. The power of influencer marketing reigns supreme.
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Lil Baby
East Point’s Tri-Cities High School isn’t home to just one legendary artist, it’s actually home to two. Both Lil Baby and hip-hop duo Outkast went to the East Atlanta high school.
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Gucci Mane
You can thank Gucci Mane for all of your favorite trap music; he is considered the father of trap, after all.
Photo by John Salangsang/BFA.com
Ne-Yo
To all our Disney fans out there, this one’s for you: Ever wondered who was the mastermind behind the hit song “Never Knew I Needed” from “The Princess and the Frog”?
Photo by John Salangsang/BFA.com
Thomas Rhett
Country music wasn’t always in the cards for this musician. Believe it or not, Thomas Rhett was the lead drummer of a punk rock band dubbed High Heeled Flip Flops. “We all dyed our hair black and sang in British accents,” shares Rhett. “We loved being rebellious,” adds the singer of his middle school punk rock days.
Photo by Gregg Degure/Getty Images
Soulja Boy
Soulja Boy made history when he became the first artist whose song sold 3 million digital copies, and I think we can all guess what song that was. Take a drink if the “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” dance is FOREVER burned into your brain. (If you didn’t take a sip, you did middle school wrong.)
Photo by Carl Timpone/BFA.com
Normani
You probably recognize this bombshell as one of the members of girl group Fifth Harmony. While the group split in 2018, Normani continues to shine in her solo career, and she’s just getting started.
Photo by Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com
Future
Future might have Shakespeare to thank for his way with words. "When I went to school, I would read Shakespeare and just fell in love with how he mixed his words. I started playing around with writing poems." says the rapper.
Photo by David Becker/Getty Images
Jason Aldean
If you listen closely, you’ll probably hear this country artist belting “I came in like a wreckinggggg ball” in the shower. Don’t worry, Jason, we’re also diehard “Smilers.” Mum’s the word.
Photo by John Salangsang/BFA.com
Khalid
You can address Khalid as King Khalid from now on—that’s the senior prom king of Americas High School you’re talking about.
Photo by Marc Patrick/BFA.com
Usher
Usher and Sean "Diddy" Combs might be the reason for the word "froomies." The two were roommates while Usher produced his first album. "Usher."
Photo by Tim Roney/Getty Images
TLC
Random fact: This '90s girl group recorded the theme for Nickelodeon's "All That."
Photo by Marc Patrick/BFA.com
Summer Walker
This R&B/soul singer has quite the, shall we say, interesting backstage ritual. But you’ll have to google it to find out.
Photo by Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
2 Chainz
Never forget That time 2 Chainz made a new Atlanta landmark. RIP, Pink Trap House; we’ll never forget you... or our all-pink Instagram feeds.
Photo by Zach Hilty/BFA.com
Lil Yachty
Lil Yachty’s style expertise extends beyond his signature red hair color. Turns out, the Atlanta rapper is also the creative director of apparel brand Nautica.
Photo by John Salangsang/BFA.com
Sam Hunt
Music isn't the only thing this country hottie is good at Sam Hunt was the star quarterback at UAB for two years, seeing a total of 12 touchdowns during his career at the university. A jock who can serenade you? Sign us up.
Photo by Madison McGaw/BFA.com
Ludacris
Before making it big with his rapping career, Ludacris worked as an intern, and later a DJ, for Atlanta's Hot 97.5. All the OG Atlantans out there will remember him as Chris Lova Lova.
Photo by Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com
Jennifer Nettles
The Sugarland singer is our type of person: “I replaced my dishwasher with a wine refrigerator. Priorities, people!”
Photo by Rupert Ramsay/BFA.com
Childish Gambino
When you can’t figure out your own rapper name, just pull a Donald Glover and put your name in the Wu-Tang Name Generator. Long live Childish Gambino.
Photo by Alex Chapman
Zac Brown
We’re all aware Zac Brown is a man of many talents, but did you know he has hidden talents too? The country artist shares that his is making knives... wait for it... that he later uses to cook with. You know, some people are just born gifted.
Photo by Benjamin Lozovsky/BFA.com
Waka Flocka Flame
He’s not just a star on stage—he’s also a star on screen. Waka Flocka starred on reality show “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” at one point in his career, which actually led to him having his own TV series.
Photo by Sansho Scott/BFA.COM
Young Thug
Did you know that Gucci Mane discovered Young Thug? The rapper heard Young Thug’s first mixtape, “I Came From Nothing,” and was impressed he signed him to his label immediately.
Photo by John Salangsang/BFA.com
Luke Bryan
It’s no surprise that Luke Bryan has all the sorority girls wrapped around his finger. Frat life runs deep for this Georgia Southern Sigma Chi.
Photo by Darian Dicianno/BFA.com
6lack
There’s a reason for the confusing name, and apparently it’s because the number six holds a lot of meaning for the rapper. 6lack was born in the sixth month in Atlanta’s Zone 6, which is also the home of Childish Gambino, Future and Gucci Mane.
Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images
Rhett Akins
Did you know this Valdosta born country musician was a Georgia bulldog football player? #sicem #dawgsontop #wecankeepgoing
Photo by Billy Farrell/BFA.com
Kanye West
I’m sure you’ve played the game “What would I do if I won $1 million.” Well, if you’re Kanye West, the answer is: buy a large aquarium. Yep, you read it right. After the success of “The College Dropout,” West rewarded himself with an 18th century aquarium, filled with 30 koi fish and a cherub-shaped gold fountain on a marble base. Whatever floats your boat, buddy.
Photography by:
