39 Best 2000s Male Singers

Ever found yourself reminiscing about the good old days of music in the 2000s? We sure have, and it's easy to get lost amidst a sea of artists from that golden decade.

After hours spent combing through top charts and Billboard lists, we've crafted this comprehensive guide on the best 2000s male singers.

John Legend

John Legend won multiple awards for his song “Ordinary People,” including best new artist, best R&B Album, and Best R&B male vocal performance.

His emotional love songs have touched the hearts of many listeners, making him an icon in the industry. One of his most famous songs from this era is “All of Me.” With his compelling discography and chart history, John Legend is an incredible force in the music industry.

He has won 12 Grammy Awards, a Tony Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.

James Blunt

James Blunt is a British singer-songwriter who gained significant popularity during the 2000s. He is known for his emotive pop-rock sound and heartfelt lyrics.

His debut album Back to Bedlam had millions of fans humming the tunes everywhere they went. With heartfelt and melancholic songs like the massive hits “You’re Beautiful” and “Goodbye My Lover”, to more chill cuts like “1973” from his second album.

James Blunt's success was only helped by the live performances on television on shows like Saturday Night Live and David Letter. After gaining visibility he constantly filled entire arenas where he showcased his vocal prowess and emotional delivery.

Usher

In 2001, Usher released his third album, 8701. The album contained “U Remind Me” and “U Got It Bad” hits. Usher won his second Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “U Got It Bad”.

Usher's fourth album, Confessions, was released in 2004. With the wildly popular “Yeah!”, “Burn”, “Confessions Part II”, and “My Boo” (with Alicia Keys), Usher won three Grammy Awards for “Confessions”, including Album of the Year.

Adam Levine

In 2001, Adam Levine and the other members of Kara's Flowers changed the band's name to Maroon 5. They then released their debut album ‘Songs About Jane’. The album was a commercial success, and it spawned the hit singles “Harder to Breathe,” “This Love,” and “She Will Be Loved.”

Their albums have topped the charts and earned him numerous awards, including Grammy and Billboard Music Awards.

Many music fans recognize him as one of the coaches on the reality show “The Voice.” His witty banter with fellow coaches and insightful contestant feedback have made him a fan favorite.

Justin Timberlake

Former NSYNC member Justin Timberlake released his debut solo album, Justified, in 2002. The album was a stellar success with hit singles “Cry Me a River ” and “Rock Your Body,” winning Timberlake a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album for Justified.

Timberlake released three more studio albums in the 2000s, FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006) featuring the unforgettable “Sexy Back.” Two more albums followed, The 20/20 Experience (2013) and The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 (2013).

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber was discovered by talent manager Scooter Braun on YouTube and signed with RBMG Records in 2008.  Bieber's debut single, “One Time”, was released in 2009 and became a global hit.

He released his debut album, My World 2.0 in 2010, becoming a worldwide phenomenon with a cult-like following of fans known as “Beleibers.” 2000s. His music was popular with young people and adults for his catchy pop songs and boyish charm.

Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw consistently topped the charts from 2000-2009. Ten singles, including “Live Like You Were Dying” (2004), “My Kind of Country” (2006), and “Southern Voice” (2009), reached number one on the US Hot Country Songs chart during that period.

McGraw released five studio albums in the 2000s, all of which were commercial successes. Some of his most popular albums from the 2000s include A Place in the Sun (2000), Set This Circus Down (2001), Just to See You Smile (2004), and Live Like You Were Dying (2004).

John Mayer

John Mayer gained recognition as one of the best 2000s male singers, winning a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance back in 2003. This was for his hit single “Your Body is a Wonderland.”

His personal life has garnered significant media attention over the years, with interviews in Rolling Stone and Playboy where he shared intriguing quotes that sometimes caused controversy.

Chester Bennington

Chester Bennington was the lead singer of the rock band Linkin Park from 1999 until he died in 2017. He began playing the guitar and singing at a young age, forming his first band, Grey Daze, in 1993.

In 1996, he joined Linkin Park, and the band released Hybrid Theory, which was their debut album, back in 2000. The album was successful, spawning the hit singles “In the End” and “Crawling.” Linkin Park released six studio albums in the 2000s with popular songs, including “In the End,” “Numb,” and “Breaking the Habit.”

Bennington was also known for his work as a solo artist. He released two albums in the 2000s, Out of Ashes (2007) and Living Things (2012).

Chris Martin

Chris Martin is the lead singer of Coldplay, a band that rose to fame in the early 2000s. Coldplay released their debut album, Parachutes, in 2000, containing the hit singles “Yellow” and “Trouble.

Their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, in 2002, was even more successful than the debut with chart topping singles, “In My Place” and “Clocks”.

Nick Cave

Even though the Australian singer’s career started way back in the 1980s, the first decade of the 2000s was a great success for him. The multi instrumentalist and songwriter not only released four albums with his band the Bad Seeds, but he also launched a solo project by the name of Grinderman.

While Nick Cave continues to produce music today, some of his absolute best cuts came in this decade. The gut-wrenching ballad “O Children”, his folk pop feel good anthem in “Breathless” and some of the darkest rock oriented songs like “Dig ,Lazarus, Dig”. In the 2000s, Cave once again proved to be one of the best singers and someone who is constantly pushing the bar.

Akon

Born Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam, Akon released his debut album, Trouble, in 2004. 

He made quite a splash in the mid-2000s collaborating with artists such as Ne-Yo and T-Pain with hit songs like “Bust It Baby, Part 2,” “Shawty,” and “Hypnotized,” Akon received a nomination for Best R&B Song for his collaboration with India.Arie on “I Am Not My Hair.”

Akon is the founder of Akon Lighting Africa, bringing solar-powered electricity to rural areas of Africa. The project has brought electricity to over 1 million people in 14 countries.

Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo was born Shaffer Chimere Smith in 1979 in Camden, New Jersey. He released three platinum-selling albums in the decade, In My Own Words (2006), Because of You (2007), and Year of the Gentleman (2008). He also had a string of hit singles, including “So Sick,” “Because of You,” “Closer,” and “Miss Independent.”

Collaborating with artists like T-Pain, Akon, and Chris Brown, Ne-Yo's smooth vocals and catchy melodies helped solidify his status among the best male singers of that era.

Jason Mraz

Jason Mraz released his debut album, “Waiting for My Rocket to Come,” in 2002. With chart-topping hits “The Remedy (Good as Hell)” and “You and I Both,” he became an instant success.

Mraz's second album, “Mr. A-Z,” was released in 2005 and met with success, with the singles “I'm Yours” and “Lucky” gaining tremendous popularity.

Enrique Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias was one of the most successful Latin pop artists of the 2000s, enjoying stellar success. Enrique Iglesias, his debut album sold over 1 million copies. The second album, Escape, exploded with singles “Bailamos,” “Be With You,” and “Hero,” selling over 12 million copies. 

Heart-throb Iglesias’s third album of the decade, 7, sold over 8 million copies. The fourth release of the decade, Insomniac, incorporated a more seductive sound and erotic lyrics, selling over 5 million copies.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, already a global icon, released his tenth and final studio album, Invincible, in 2001. The album was successful but not as well-received by critics and fans as his previous albums due to public criticism and speculation over the once-revered artist.

In 2003, Jackson was accused of child molestation by Gavin Arvizo. Even after being acquitted of all charges in 2005, his personal life remained troubled, and his music career faded into the background.

The world was stunned and saddened when headlines announced Jackson’s death in 2009 due to an overdose.

Brandon Flowers

Brandon Flowers, inspired by seeing Oasis perform in 2002, formed The Killers. The band quickly rose to fame with their album “Hot Fuss,” released in 2004.

Brandon has been nominated for numerous awards and continues to impress fans with his musical talent. In addition to his success in music, Brandon also has a philanthropic side and actively engages in charitable endeavors.

Tom DeLonge

Tom DeLonge is a musician who gained immense popularity in the 2000s as the lead singer and guitarist of the iconic pop-punk band Blink-182. In 2005, Blink-182 went on hiatus. Tom DeLonge left the band to pursue a solo career, rejoining Blink-182 when they reunited in 2009.

Beyond his work with Blink-182, Tom has also embarked on other musical ventures. He is a member of the band Angels and Airwaves, where he continues to release new music and express his passion for this project.

Keith Urban

Keith Urban received the Top New Male Vocalist Award at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2001, followed by the Country Music Association's Horizon Award. With skillful guitar playing and a soulful voice, Keith Urban became known for delivering hit after hit throughout the decade.

Beyond his success as a recording artist, Keith Urban also found success as a record producer and even became a judge on a popular TV show. In June 2006, Urban and actress Nicole Kidman married in Sydney, Australia.

Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley is an American country music singer, guitarist and songwriter. He’s was among the most outstanding male country artists of the 2000s. With his remarkable talent for playing the guitar and witty songwriting style, Paisley has won the hearts of music fans across the globe.

Throughout his career, Brad Paisley has released numerous hit songs that have become fan favorites, like “Whiskey Lullaby” to upbeat tracks like “Ticks.”

Chad Kroeger

Chad Kroeger is the raspy-voiced frontman of the Canadian rock band Nickelback. Kroeger and his bandmates came out of the gate in the 2000s with hits like “How You Remind Me” and “Photograph.”

“How You Remind Me”  is Nickelback's most successful single, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and Canada. It has been certified 11x Platinum by the RIAA.

Michael Bublé

Michael Bublé rose to fame in the early 2000s with his smooth vocals, classic pop sound, and ability to recreate the sound of more traditional pop singers such as Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.

Bublé's breakthrough came in 2003 with the release of his second album, Call Me Irresponsible. The album’s hit single “Everything” peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and “Home” peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Bublé has sold well over 75 million records worldwide. This has of course made him one of the best-selling artists ever.

Jack White

Jack White, the force behind The White Stripes, emerged in the 2000s as one of rock's most influential figures. In 1997, he formed The White Stripes with his then-wife Meg White.

In 2006, White formed the Raconteurs with Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence, and Patrick Keeler. The Raconteurs put out their first album, Broken Boy Soldiers, in 2006.

White has won numerous awards for his music, including 12 Grammy Awards, 10 Brit Awards, and 11 American Music Awards, and nominated for a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award.

Patrick Stump

Patrick Stump formed Fall Out Boy with Pete Wentz, Joe Trohman, and Andy Hurley in 2001. Fall Out Boy rose to fame as one of the hottest rock bands in the world, releasing six studio albums between 2003 and 2013.

Tracks like “Sugar, We're Goin Down” and “Thnks for the Memories” showcased his vocal versatility and the band's catchy hooks.

Julian Casablancas

Julian Casablancas formed The Strokes with Nick Valensi, Albert Hammond Jr., Nikolai Fraiture, and Fabrizio Moretti. The Strokes rocked their way to global fame after releasing their debut album, Is This It, in 2001.

The Strokes released four more studio albums in the 2000s, Room on Fire (2003), First Impressions of Earth (2006), Angles (2011), and Comedown Machine (2013).

Serj Tankian

Serj Tankian began playing the piano at the age of 7 and started writing songs at the age of 13. In 1994, he formed System of a Down with Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, and John Dolmayan. The band's heavy metal sound, political lyrics, and Tankian's unique vocals characterize the band’s music.

In 2006, System of a Down went on hiatus. Tankian released his solo album, titled Elect the Dead, in 2007.

Joel Madden

Madden formed Good Charlotte in 1996 with twin brother Benji and bandmates Billy Martin and Paul Thomas.

With anthems like “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” and “The Anthem,” Good Charlotte quickly became one of the world's most listened-to-pop punk bands, releasing five studio albums between 2000 and 2008.

In 2008, Good Charlotte went on hiatus. Joel released his debut solo album, Greetings from California, in 2011.

Gerard Way

The 2000s wouldn't be complete without mentioning Gerard Way, the enigmatic lead singer of My Chemical Romance. Way formed the group in 2001 with Mikey Way, Ray Toro, Frank Iero, and Matt Pelissier.

My Chemical Romance released four studio albums between 2002 and 2010. The band's music contains emo sounds, dark lyrics, and Way's dramatic vocals.

Way channeled raw emotion into hits like “Welcome to the Black Parade” and “Helena.”

Caleb Followill

Caleb Followill, the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Kings of Leon, brought a Southern rock sound to the forefront of the 2000s.

Followill's raspy voice and evocative lyrics became signature elements of hits like “Use Somebody” and “Sex on Fire.” Kings of Leon released six studio albums between 2003 and 2016, becoming one of the most-played rock groups on the airwaves.

Fred Durst

Durst formed Limp Bizkit in 1994 with Wes Borland, Sam Rivers, John Otto, and DJ Leen. Durst's aggressive style on “Rollin'” and “Break Stuff” tracks defined a generation's rebellious spirit.

In the 2000s, Durst was involved in several controversies, criticized for his misogynistic and homophobic lyrics, and involved in several legal problems.

Durst released his debut solo album, Significant Other, in 2003. Shortly after, in 2004, Limp Bizkit went on hiatus.

Sean Paul

Sean Paul, a Jamaican dancehall artist, rose to fame in the early 2000s. He released his debut album, Stage One, in 2000, which contained hit singles “Get Busy” and “Like Glue.”

His second album, Dutty Rock, released in 2002, was even more successful than his debut.

Sean has numerous awards for his music, including three Grammy Awards, nine American Music Awards, and 18 Billboard Music Awards, and nominated for a Golden Globe Award and a Brit Award.

Chris Brown

Chris Brown is a singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the early 2000s with the release of his self-titled debut album in 2005. The singles “Run It!” and “Yo (Excuse Me Miss) steadily climbed the charts, receiving airplay across genres.

Brown released his second album, Exclusive, in 2007, with hit tracks “With You” and “Kiss Kiss.”

Brown is known for his sultry voice and his dance moves. He was also involved in several controversies, including a domestic violence incident with his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.

Bill Kaulitz

Bill Kaulitz is a German singer-songwriter, model, and designer who gained international fame in the 2000s as the lead singer of the band Tokio Hotel. Born in 1989 in Magdeburg, Germany, Bill formed Tokio Hotel with his twin brother Tom and two other bandmates as teenagers.

What sets Bill apart is his incredible talent but also his androgynous look and edgy hairstyles. His performances on stage are mesmerizing, drawing audiences in with his powerful voice and charismatic presence.

Billy Porter

Billy Porter is a talented American actor, singer, and writer. In 2001, he won the prestigious Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his remarkable performance in a musical production.

Known as a triple threat – excelling in singing, acting, and writing – Billy Porter has proven to be one of the best male artists of the early 2000s.

Not only is he highly regarded for his incredible talent and versatility as a performer, but he is also among the best gay singers ever.

Robbie Williams

Robbie Williams was among the most successful British pop stars of the 2000s. He continued to enjoy chart success throughout the 2000s, releasing albums such as I've Been Expecting You (1998), Sing When You're Winning (2000), and Escapology (2002).

He collaborated with many other artists, including Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, and Queen. Williams was known for his flamboyant personality and often outrageous behavior, making him a tabloid favorite.

Seal

Seal released his sixth studio album, “Seal IV,” in 2003. The album was a commercial success, selling over 5 million copies worldwide. The album spawned the hit singles “Kiss from a Rose,” “Waiting for You,” and “Surrender.”

In 2004, Seal recorded a cover of Frankie Valli's song “Can't Take My Eyes Off You” for the soundtrack of the film The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. The song reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Seal’s popularity rose again when he married supermodel Heidi Klum in 2005.

Will.i.am

Will.i.am began his career as a DJ and producer in the early 1990s. In 1995, he co-founded the Black Eyed Peas with apl.de.ap, Taboo, and Fergie.

The group released their debut album, Behind the Front, launching the hit singles “Where's the Love?” and “Shut Up.” The Black Eyed Peas continued to release successful albums throughout the 2000s, including Elephunk (2003), Monkey Business (2005), and The E.N.D. (2009).

Eminem

Eminem is undeniably one of the greatest male singers of the 2000s. Eminem's second album contained the singles  “Stan,” “The Way I Am,” and “Lose Yourself,” all taking top spots on the Billboard charts.

Eminem released a total of 3 more albums in the 2000s: The Marshall Mathers LP (2000), The Eminem Show (2002), and Encore (2004). All three albums were commercial successes, and they all won Grammy Awards.

Eminem has also won numerous other awards, including 15 MTV Video Music Awards and 17 American Music Awards. He is also the best-selling hip-hop artist of all time, with over 220 million records sold worldwide, earning his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

T. I.

T.I., also known as Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., was a prominent male singer in the 2000s. He released 7 studio albums in the 2000s, all successes. Some of his most popular albums from the 2000s include Trap Muzik (2003), King (2004), and T.I. vs. T.I.P. (2006).

T.I. has also won numerous awards, including 6 Grammy Awards and 14 BET Awards, and was up for an Academy Award for Best Original Song “No Mercy” from the film American Gangster (2007).

Top 2000s Male Singers, Final Thoughts

This compilation of the best 2000s male singers considers a decade filled with talented artists that impacted the music industry.

From Justin Timberlake's smooth vocals to Serj Tankian's heavy metal tunes, these artists showcased their unique styles and captivated audiences worldwide.