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Florida is known for a lot of things, the climate, the amusement parks, the wildlife, and the beaches. However, what many people don’t realize is that Florida is actually a top state when it comes to generating musical talent. One of the reasons for this is the state is so culturally diverse, leading Floridian musicians from all different genres to gain fame. The state has strong Hispanic influences from Cuban immigrants, and the hip-hop scene is thriving in cities like Orlando and Miami. So which Floridians have really made their mark on the music industry and reached the top? Here are the top musicians from Florida.
Tom Petty
Tom Petty is an extremely famous musician from the ‘70s and ‘80s, one of the era’s most recognizable. Originally, he and his band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers had several best selling albums and top hits. Petty was obviously the star as reflected by the name. After the band broke up, Petty decided to join another band filled with music legends such as ex-Beatle George Harrison and Bob Dylan. After this brief stint, Petty enjoyed a successful solo career, releasing several top singles. In the end, Tom Petty was an iconic musician with a great career, making him one of the top musicians from Florida.
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande has exploded in popularity in recent years, becoming one of the biggest pop stars in the world. Grande was born in Boca Raton, a city on the southwest coast of Florida. Grande originally got into entertainment through Broadway before switching over to television. Her big break came on the show Victorious and the show’s spinoff Sam and Cat where Grande played Cat. After her acting career, Grande shifted over towards music, releasing several top albums. Now Grande has had several chart-topping songs, as well as several best-selling albums and streaming records. She is one of the world’s most recognizable pop stars and her fame appears to only be growing.
Jason Derulo
Towards the end of the last decade, a new pop and hip-hop star burst onto the scene and experienced almost immediate success. Jason Derulo’s song “Whatcha Say” hit number one on the charts almost immediately, launching Derulo’s career. Derulo then released a debut album with several hit songs, further cementing his new status. The artist has also worked with some of today’s biggest stars, including Lady Gaga and Niki Minaj. Finally, Derulo has begun branching out, trying to become much more than a famous hip-hop artist. The singer recently started in the movie Cats as Rum Tum Tugger, proving that he has acting ability alongside his singing talents.
Flo Rida
This artist is aptly named, as he hails from Carol City, Florida. Born as Tramar Lacel Dillard, he adopted the moniker Flo Rida in honor of his home state. Flo Rida has been an extremely successful Hip Hop artist, releasing numerous songs that have charted in the top 100 and even reached the top. His first single “Low” was an extremely popular song in the late 2000s, topping the charts for a considerable amount of time. Flo Rida has also collaborated with numerous successful artists including T-Pain, Lady Gaga, DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, and Kesha. Although he reached his peak in the late 2000s and early 2010s, there’s no denying that Flo Rida has made his mark on the music industry.
