Category
page 1Songwriters from Illinois

Miles Davis
American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926–1991)

Quincy Jones
American record producer and composer (1933–2024)
Charles G. Dawes
vice president of the United States from 1925 to 1929

Buddy Guy
American blues guitarist and singer

Shel Silverstein
American poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and children's writer (1930-1999)

Richard Marx
American singer and songwriter

King Oliver
American jazz cornet player and bandleader

Billy Corgan
American musician
Common
American rapper and actor (born 1972)

Soulja Boy
American rapper and record producer (born 1990)
King Von
American rapper (1994–2020)

Little Walter
American blues harmonica player (1930-1968)
Dizzy Reed
American musician
Katherine Dunham
American dancer, choreographer, songwriter, actress and activist (1909/1912–2006)
Mel Tormé
American recording artist (1925–1999)
Victor Young
American composer, arranger, violinist and conductor, orchestra leader (1900-1956)
Sonny Boy Williamson II
American blues musician (1912–1965)
Kiiara
Kiara Saulters (born May 24, 1995), known professionally as Kiiara, is an American singer-songwriter from Wilmington, Illinois. She is currently signed to Atlantic Records. Her 2015 single "Gold" peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She is also known for contributing vocals to Linkin Park's 2017 single "Heavy".

Jeremih
Jeremy Phillip Felton (born July 17, 1987), known professionally as Jeremih ( ), is an American R&B singer. He embarked on a musical career after meeting record producer Mick Schultz in 2008, and signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings the following year.
Nils Lofgren
American rock musician
Clifton Davis
American actor, musician and minister
Terry Kath
American guitarist and singer (1946–1978)
Young Dolph
American rapper (1985–2021)
Billy Boy Arnold
American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter
Luther Ingram
American R&B and soul singer-songwriter (1937-2007)
Thomas A. Dorsey
American musician, composer, and Christian evangelist influential in the development of early blues and 20th-century gospel music

George Frederick Root
American songwriter (1820-1895)
Allan Sherman
American musician and comedian (1924-1973)
Milton Ager
American composer (1893–1979)
Sheldon Harnick
American lyricist and songwriter (1924–2023)
Barry Goldberg
American musical artist (1942–2025)
Harvey Fuqua
American musician, record producer (1929–2010)
Fred Rose
American music producer, publisher and songwriter (1898–1954)
No I.D.
American music producer

Michael Masser
American songwriter, composer and producer of popular music (1941–2015)
Gene Chandler
American musician
Kathleen Brennan
Irish–American songwriter, musician producer & artist

Vic Mensa
American rapper and singer (born 1993)
Famous Dex
American rapper (born 1993)
Eddie Shaw
African American, Chicago blues tenor saxophonist
Rick Nielsen
American guitarist
Phil Everly
American musician and composer (1939–2014)
Willie Mabon
American R&B singer, songwriter and pianist (1925–1985)
Hitmaka
Christian Ward (born September 9, 1984), known professionally as Hitmaka, is an American record producer.
John Primer
American Chicago blues singer and guitarist
Jim Peterik
American rock musician and songwriter

Buck Ram
American songwriter, music executive, popular music producer and arranger

Egbert Van Alstyne
American songwriter and pianist (1882-1951)
Ray Charles
American musician, conductor and arranger (1918–2015)
Ron Miller
American popular songwriter and record producer (1932–2007)

Fred Karlin
American songwriter (1936–2004)
Marla Glen
German singer
Jim Jacobs
American composer, lyricist, and writer for the theatre
DJ Casper
American disc jockey (1965–2023)
BJ the Chicago Kid
American singer
Steve Hurley
American DJ
Roger Imhof
American actor (1875-1958)
Kevin Cronin
American singer
John Brim
American Chicago blues guitarist, songwriter and singer (1922–2003)
Kid Sister
American rapper