Biggest Stars

Colter Wall
Colter Wall
CANAmericana/Alt Country

Colter Wall

CANCountryAmericana/Alt Country
Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
USASoul

Quincy Jones

USAR&BSoul
The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers
USAContemporary Blues

The Blues Brothers

USABluesContemporary Blues
Gary Clark Jr.
Gary Clark Jr.
USABlues Rock

Gary Clark Jr.

USABluesBlues Rock
J.J. Cale
J.J. Cale
USAContemporary Blues

J.J. Cale

USABluesContemporary Blues
Charley Crockett
Charley Crockett
USAAmericana/Alt Country

Charley Crockett

USACountryAmericana/Alt Country
The Marcus King Band
The Marcus King Band
USAContemporary Blues

The Marcus King Band

USABluesContemporary Blues
L.A.B.
L.A.B.
NZLRoots Reggae

L.A.B.

NZLReggaeRoots Reggae
Candi Staton
Candi Staton
USAContemporary R&B
Claimed Profile

Candi Staton

USAR&BContemporary R&B
Aaron Frazer
Aaron Frazer
USASoul

Aaron Frazer

USAR&BSoul
Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke
USAContemporary Blues

Solomon Burke

USABluesContemporary Blues
Brittany Howard
Brittany Howard
USAContemporary R&B

Brittany Howard

USAR&BContemporary R&B
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
USABlues Rock

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

USABluesBlues Rock
The Andrews Sisters
The Andrews Sisters
USASwing

The Andrews Sisters

USAJazzSwing
Vaya Con Dios
Vaya Con Dios
BELContemporary Blues

Vaya Con Dios

BELBluesContemporary Blues
Johnny Nash
Johnny Nash
USASoul

Johnny Nash

USAR&BSoul
The Staple Singers
The Staple Singers
USAContemporary Blues

The Staple Singers

USABluesContemporary Blues
Foy Vance
Foy Vance
GBRFolk Rock

Foy Vance

GBRRockFolk Rock
Markus K
Markus K
GBRContemporary Blues

Markus K

GBRBluesContemporary Blues
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
USABlues Rock

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram

USABluesBlues Rock
Viberate Analytics

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Top Artists by Radio Spins Last month

Vaya Con Dios
Vaya Con Dios
BELContemporary Blues

Vaya Con Dios

BELBluesContemporary Blues
19.7K radio spins
J.J. Cale
J.J. Cale
USAContemporary Blues

J.J. Cale

USABluesContemporary Blues
12.7K radio spins
The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers
USAContemporary Blues

The Blues Brothers

USABluesContemporary Blues
11.5K radio spins
Curtis Stigers
Curtis Stigers
USAContemporary Blues

Curtis Stigers

USABluesContemporary Blues
9.2K radio spins
The Staple Singers
The Staple Singers
USAContemporary Blues

The Staple Singers

USABluesContemporary Blues
8.9K radio spins

Most Streamed Spotify Tracks

Past Month
1
Everybody Needs Somebody to Love
Everybody Needs Somebody to Love
200.5K streams
2
Goodbye Carolina
Goodbye Carolina
123.7K streams
3
Yo Quisiera Ya Ser El Rey
Yo Quisiera Ya Ser El Rey
101.6K streams
4
Rita Is Gone
Rita Is Gone
99.7K streams
5
Think
Think
87.6K streams
6
Sweet Home Chicago
Sweet Home Chicago
78.3K streams
7
Slightly Hung Over
Slightly Hung Over
72.8K streams
8
Soul Man - Live
Soul Man - Live
71.5K streams
9
Saddleworth
Saddleworth
69.8K streams
10
Shake a Tail Feather (feat. Ray Charles)
Shake a Tail Feather (feat. Ray Charles)
62.6K streams
1

Everybody Needs Somebody to Love

2

Goodbye Carolina

3

Yo Quisiera Ya Ser El Rey

4

Rita Is Gone

6

Sweet Home Chicago

7

Slightly Hung Over

8

Soul Man - Live

9

Saddleworth

10

Shake a Tail Feather (feat. Ray Charles)

Top Spotify Playlists

Acoustic Blues
Acoustic Blues
Spotify
728.5K followers
This Is The Blues Brothers
This Is The Blues Brothers
Spotify
29.5K followers
Blues Harmonica
Blues Harmonica
Mikael Levinsson
23K followers
This Is Memphis La Blusera
This Is Memphis La Blusera
Spotify
17.7K followers
This Is Taj Mahal
This Is Taj Mahal
Spotify
14.3K followers
The Blues Brothers - Soundtrack (1-2)
The Blues Brothers - Soundtrack (1-2)
mcflystudio
13.7K followers

Subgenre Popularity

Music stats for top 3,000 artists last month

Top Countries

    Top Cities

      • 2.2K
      • 72.1M
      • N/A
      • 194.9K
      2.2K
      Contemporary Blues artists
      Spotify
      72.1M
      Streams on Spotify
      YouTube
      0
      Views on YouTube
      Radio Airplay
      194.9K
      Radio spins
      Viberate for Artists

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      Questions? We have answers

      Overview of Contemporary Blues music

      Contemporary Blues music is a genre that emerged in the mid-20th century. It is a fusion of traditional blues music with elements of rock, soul, and R&B. The emergence of Contemporary Blues was largely due to the influence of African-American musicians who were looking to modernize and expand the sound of traditional blues music.

      In the 1960s, Contemporary Blues music gained mainstream popularity with the emergence of artists like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Albert King. These musicians incorporated elements of rock and jazz into their music, creating a sound that appealed to a wider audience. The 1970s saw the rise of blues-rock bands like the Allman Brothers, who blended blues music with hard rock.

      Contemporary Blues music continued to evolve in the 1980s and 1990s with the emergence of artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Cray, and Bonnie Raitt. These musicians incorporated elements of funk, soul, and gospel into their music, creating a sound that was both modern and deeply rooted in the blues tradition.

      Today, Contemporary Blues music continues to evolve, with artists like Gary Clark Jr. and Tedeschi Trucks Band incorporating elements of hip-hop and electronic music into their sound. Despite these modern influences, Contemporary Blues remains true to its roots, with a focus on raw emotion, soulful vocals, and virtuosic guitar playing.

      Which musicians and bands defined Contemporary Blues music?

      Despite the genre's broadness, certain artists have played a pivotal role in shaping the sound and trajectory of contemporary blues. Here are a few:

      Stevie Ray Vaughan: One of the most influential guitarists in the revival of blues in the 1980s. Vaughan's high-energy style, characterized by his impeccable skill and emotive performances, has had a profound impact on the genre.

      Robert Cray: Known for his smooth vocals and guitar playing, Cray's fusion of blues with elements of pop, rock, and soul helped to popularize the blues among a younger generation in the 1980s and 1990s.

      B.B. King: While his career started much earlier, B.B. King's impact on contemporary blues cannot be overstated. His work in the later decades of his life continued to shape the genre and influence a new generation of blues artists.

      Bonnie Raitt: Raitt's blend of blues with elements of rock, country, and pop has earned her a significant place in contemporary blues. Her soulful performances and slide guitar technique have been widely acclaimed.

      Eric Clapton: Clapton's career in the late 20th and early 21st centuries has included a significant focus on the blues, helping to keep the genre in the mainstream spotlight.

      Joe Bonamassa: One of the most successful blues guitarists of his generation, Bonamassa's high-energy performances and prolific recording schedule have helped keep blues relevant in the 21st century.

      Keb' Mo': Known for his post-modern blues style, Keb' Mo' fuses traditional forms of blues with more contemporary elements, resulting in a fresh and unique take on the genre.

      Gary Clark Jr.: Gary Clark Jr. is a guitarist from Austin, Texas, who has been hailed as the future of blues. His fusion of blues, rock, and soul represents a contemporary evolution of the genre.

      Beth Hart: Known for her raw and powerful vocals, Hart has carved out a niche for herself in the blues world, often collaborating with Joe Bonamassa.

      Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks (Tedeschi Trucks Band): Combining elements of blues, soul, and other genres, the Tedeschi Trucks Band is considered one of the finest blues-rock groups of the contemporary era.

      These artists, along with many others, continue to keep the blues vibrant and relevant in contemporary music.

      Which songs and albums defined Contemporary Blues music?

      From soulful ballads to electric guitar-driven numbers, the genre encapsulates the rich history of the blues while continually pushing its boundaries. Let's dive into some of the most impactful songs and albums that have helped shape the course of contemporary blues over the years.

      1970s - The Foundation:

      "I'll Play the Blues for You" (1972) by Albert King: This album is a prime example of soul-blues, a subgenre of blues that would greatly influence the contemporary blues sound.

      "Texas Flood" (1972) by Larry Davis: The original version of this song would later become a signature song for Stevie Ray Vaughan in the '80s.

      1980s - Blues Revival:

      "Texas Flood" (1983) by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble: Vaughan's debut album revitalized interest in the blues and is considered a landmark in its history.

      "Strong Persuader" (1986) by Robert Cray: This album marked Cray's breakthrough to mainstream audiences, with its fusion of blues, pop, rock, and soul.

      1990s - Blues Evolution:

      "Nick of Time" (1989) by Bonnie Raitt: Winning three Grammys, this album features Raitt's blend of blues, rock, and pop.

      "The Blues" (1992) by B.B. King: This compilation album serves as a comprehensive guide to King's influence on contemporary blues.

      2000s - Blues in the 21st Century:

      "The Road to Escondido" (2006) by J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton: This Grammy-winning album showcased Clapton's continued dedication to blues.

      "Blues Deluxe" (2003) by Joe Bonamassa: This album showcases Bonamassa's skillful blues guitar playing and helped establish him as a force in the genre.

      2010s - The New Era:

      "Black Rock" (2010) by Joe Bonamassa: The album blends blues with rock influences and showcases Bonamassa's virtuosic guitar work and soulful vocals.

      "Blak and Blu" (2012) by Gary Clark Jr.: This album blends blues, rock, and soul, showcasing Clark's diverse musical influences and prowess.

      "Fire on the Floor" (2016) by Beth Hart: The album showcases Hart's powerful vocals and emotional songwriting.

      2020s - The Present:

      "Royal Tea" (2020) by Joe Bonamassa: This album sees Bonamassa drawing inspiration from British blues, showcasing the genre's continued evolution.

      "The Blackbirds" (2020) by Bettye LaVette: The album showcases LaVette's unique take on contemporary blues, blending elements of soul, R&B, rock, and gospel.

      Contemporary Blues, an ongoing testament to the resilience and adaptability of the blues genre, has evolved while staying true to its roots over the decades. The genre's continued popularity in the music industry attests to its timeless appeal and its ability to continually evolve and resonate with new generations of listeners.

      Which music festivals and events represent Contemporary Blues music?

      Some of the music festivals and events that represent the Contemporary Blues music genre include the Blues Music Awards, the Chicago Blues Festival, the King Biscuit Blues Festival, the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, and the North Atlantic Blues Festival.

      These festivals feature performances by top Contemporary Blues artists and provide a platform for emerging talent in the genre. The Blues Music Awards, for instance, is an annual event that recognizes excellence in Blues music and features live performances by nominees and winners in various categories.

      The Chicago Blues Festival, on the other hand, is the largest free Blues festival in the world and features top Contemporary Blues artists from around the globe.

      These events serve as a celebration of the rich history and vibrant present of the Contemporary Blues music genre.