Chris Thomas King

Chris Thomas King, born Chris Thomas on October 14, 1964 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, grew up surrounded by music due to his father, respected bluesman Tabby Thomas. Initially drawn to rock, soul, and rap, King later embraced the blues, releasing his debut album The Beginning in 1986. He faced label challenges but persisted in blending blues with hip-hop, eventually finding success with his album 21st Century Blues...From da 'Hood in 1995, before achieving mainstream recognition through his involvement in the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack in 2000.

Following his breakout with O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Chris Thomas King continued to explore a diverse musical palette, releasing albums that delved into Memphis soul, acoustic blues, and a fusion of blues with funk, R&B, and hip-hop. King's commitment to innovation and experimentation led him to create a historical overview of blues styles with The Legend of Tommy Johnson Act I: Genesis 1900s-1990s in 2001. Alongside his music career, King ventured into acting, appearing in films and starting his own record label, 21st Century Blues. Through his multifaceted artistic endeavors, King has solidified his reputation as a boundary-pushing artist unafraid to challenge traditional genre boundaries.