<\/p>\n
Another “greatest” list from Rolling Stone will spark more debate over who and what belongs and where.<\/p>\n
What is not up for debate in the music publication’s 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far<\/a> list is the heavy Houston representation.<\/p>\n From hometown legend Beyonce<\/a> and those that grew up or went to school in the Bayou City, such as\u00a0Megan Thee Stallion<\/a> and Lizzo, <\/a>to artists with more tangential ties to the city and surrounding region, the list puts an exclamation point on Houston’s musical legacy in the 21st century.<\/p>\n Here are 12 artists with direct and indirect ties to Houston who have left a cultural footprint on music’s modern era.<\/p>\n Connections:\u00a0Beyonce Knowles<\/a> was born and raised in Houston’s Third Ward, makes the list with five songs, starting with her 2003 hit “Crazy in Love” from her debut album, “Dangerously in Love,” at No. 3.<\/p>\n Other mentions:<\/p>\n “Formation” at No. 32<\/p>\n “Survivor” (as part of Destiny’s Child) at No. 120<\/p>\n “Savage Remix” (with fellow Houston-native Megan Thee Stallion) at No. 29.<\/p>\n “D\u00e9j\u00e0 Vu” (featuring her husband, Jay-Z) at No. 138<\/p>\n “Cuff It” at No. 186.<\/p>\n Song: “My Block” at No. 242<\/p>\n Houston connection: Born Brad Terrence Jordan in Houston,\u00a0Scarface<\/a> was a founding member of the influential Geto Boys, who were rooted in the city’s Fifth Ward.<\/p>\n Song: “Savage Remix” (featuring Beyonc\u00e9) at No. 129.<\/p>\n Houston connection: Megan\u00a0Jovon Ruth Pete grew up in\u00a0Houston’s South Park neighborhood and graduated from Texas Southern University<\/a> after moving with her family from San Antonio. She was given the keys to the city<\/a> by then-Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner in 2022.<\/p>\n Song: “Sicko Mode” (feat. Drake) at No. 147.<\/p>\n Houston connection: Houston-born and raised in Missouri City,\u00a0Travis Scott<\/a>‘s music incorporates many references to his home city, most famously in his 2018 album, Astroworld, named after the city’s iconic amusement park.<\/p>\n Song: “Still Tippin'” at No. 136.<\/p>\n Houston connection: The Houston rappers<\/a> were all born here and were influential members of Houston’s hip-hop scene, including during the chopped and screwed movement of the early 2000s.<\/p>\n Song listed: “Cranes in the Sky” at No. 62<\/p>\n Houston connection: Solange Knowles<\/a> was born and raised in Houston, and the younger sister of Beyonc\u00e9. The singer-songwriter talked to Stereogum<\/a> about how growing up in the Third Ward has shaped her work, including its Louisiana and Creole cultural influences. Her work – especially “A Seat at the Table” – is steeped in Houston’s Black cultural history and sound.<\/p>\n Song: “Truth Hurts” at No. 215<\/p>\n Houston connection: Though born in Detroit, Melissa\u00a0Viviane Jefferson attended the University of Houston <\/a>and played the flute for The Spirit of Houston marching band.<\/p>\n Song: “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)” featuring OutKast at No. 29<\/p>\n Houston connection: UGH is the duo of Bun B <\/a>and Pimp C<\/a> \u00a0who both hail from Port Arthur but have roots in Houston’s music culture, including through collaborations with Houston artists.<\/p>\n Songs: “Thinkin’ About You” at No. 10 and “Novacane” at No. 100.<\/p>\n Houston connection: Born Christopher Edwin Breaux in Long Beach, Calif., Frank Ocean<\/a> was raised in New Orleans and his song “Nights” made references to relocating to Houston <\/a>after Hurricane Katrina.<\/p>\n Songs: “All Too Well” at No. 5, “Blank Space” at No. 114 and “Cruel Summer” at No.\u00a0 61 and “Love Story” at No, 213.<\/p>\n Swift not just everywhere but also has direct ties to Houston<\/a>. The megastar’s parents, Scott and Andrea Swift, met and were married in Houston. Her mother attended Memorial High School and graduated from the University of Houston. At her Houston stop during the Eras Tour in 2023, Swift referred to Houston as her mother’s hometown and has also mentioned childhood memories of the Galleria<\/a>.<\/p>\n Song: “Dog Days Are Over” at No. 103.<\/p>\n Houston connection: London-born\u00a0Florence Welch’s paternal grandparents are from Galveston. The singer-songwriter talked to the Chicago Tribune<\/a> in 2018 about the “American side” of her family.<\/p>\n “I remember my grandfather had a house in Galveston, Texas, when I was a baby,” she said. The artist also shared a photo on her Instagram <\/a>in 2013 of a “Galveston family reunion.”<\/p>\n Song: “Hold On, We’re Going Home” at No. 43, “Marvins Room” at No. 162.<\/p>\n Houston connection: After making comments about plans to move to Houston, it was confirmed in 2025 that Drake bought a $15 million ranch <\/a>about 70 miles northwest of Houston.<\/p>\n This article originally published at Houston artists stand out on Rolling Stone’s list of the 250 greatest songs of the 21st century<\/a><\/b>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nBeyonce<\/h2>\n
Scarface<\/h2>\n
Megan Thee Stallion<\/h2>\n
Travis Scott<\/h2>\n
Mike Jones, Slim Thug and Paul Wall<\/h2>\n
Solange<\/h2>\n
Lizzo<\/h2>\n
UGK (Underground Kingz)<\/h2>\n
Frank Ocean<\/h2>\n
Taylor Swift<\/h2>\n
Florence and the Machine<\/h2>\n
Drake<\/h2>\n