Situated at the point where the Missouri and Mississippi rivers meet, the city of St Louis is a vital part of Missouri and the Midwest region more broadly. With more than 2.8 million people spread across its wider metropolitan area, it’s home to lots of people and the distinct culture they’ve cultivated.
St Louis has, through the years, been home to musical legends of the highest calibre. Chuck Berry, without whom rock ’n’ roll would never have been the same, was born and raised there, while the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll, Tina Turner, moved to the city as a kid and later began her career there. Miles Davis, one of the great jazz musicians of the 20th century, grew up in East St Louis, a sort of offshoot city sitting just across the Mississippi River from St Louis proper.
St Louis musicians such as Berry, Turner and Davis were true innovators who reached the pinnacle of their respective scenes. In this same spirit, the city has also fostered many rappers, who, while perhaps not being among the most influential hip-hop artists of all time, nonetheless have left a distinct mark upon the culture…