Las Vegas Academy of the Arts students have a diverse musical taste, from rap to pop to everything in-between. After surveying 50 LVA students and asking what their favorite music artists were, here are the most commonly answered.
Tyler the Creator:
Tyler the Creator (Tyler Okonma) is an American rapper, singer, and producer. Known for his alternative hip-hop music from the 2010s, he has gained much popularity. His most recent album, CHROMOKOPIA, was released in October 2024. A few songs LVA students listen to are GONE, GONE/THANK YOU and Like, Him. Students say, “His songs have a deep story to tell,” “Some songs I can relate to,” and, “I find it cool that such a catchy song can have such a deep meaning.”
Laufey:
Laufey (Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir) is a singer, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. She gained popularity in the early 2020s. Her music genre is mostly comprised of jazz-inspired pop music and has reached a wide audience. Her most recent album, A Night At The Symphony: Live at the Hollywood Bowl, was released in December 2024. Some songs that LVA students most listen to are, Bored, Beautiful Stranger, While You Were Sleeping, Falling Behind, and From the Start. Students describe her music as calming and enjoyable to listen to. Others also mention how they like to relate to the lyrics in her songs.
Billie Eilish:
Billie Eilish (Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell) is a multi-record-breaking pop artist. She gained popularity in 2015 with her song, Ocean Eyes. Eilish’s latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, was released in May 2024. In addition, some songs LVA students also listen to are: The Diner, Wildflower, Happier than Ever, Blue, Birds of a Feather and The Greatest. Students appreciate her music because it “paints a story,” and can “express feelings that I cannot,” and she “speaks out for teens.”
Sabrina Carpenter:
Sabrina Carpenter (Sabrina Annlynn Carpenter) gained fame from her role in Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World series. She would later produce singles from Hollywood Records known as Nonsense and Feather. Her latest album, Short n’ Sweet, was released in August 2024. Songs that LVA students listen to of hers are Taste; Please, Please, Please and Espresso. Students stated that they like her music because of the pop genre as well as her lyrics being “epic.”
SZA:
SZA (Solána Imani Rowe) is an R&B singer-songwriter influenced by hip-hop and neo-soul. Gaining popularity with her Ctrl album released in 2017. SZA is a five-time Grammy Award winner. Her latest album, a deluxe edition of her 2022 album SOS, titled Lana, was released in December 2024. Students enjoy her music, finding it both enjoyable and relatable. Students listen to songs such as Good Day, Drew Barrymore, Love Me 4 Me, Saturn and No More Hiding.
Kendrick Lamar:
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is an American rapper. After getting recognition for his 2012 album, good kid, m.A.A.d city. He recently got awarded five Grammys for his song Not Like Us. He also went on to become the first hip-hop artist to solo headline in the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. His latest album, GNX, was released in November 2024. Students enjoy listening to Squabble Up, Luther, Reincarnation and Not Like Us. They appreciate his lyrical wit and the rhythm of his music.
