LIST: 6 Richmond musicians who have shaped Central Virginia music

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond is home to art culture and art history, from visual art to historic paintings to modern street murals -- and then music. Here are six famous and up-and-coming singers and musicians from the Richmond area who have made their mark.

The Central Virginia region has produced a diverse range of musicians crossing multiple genres, including pop, R&B and heavy metal.

Jason Mraz performs on NBC's "Today" show on Friday, July 18, 2014 in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Jason Mraz

Jason Mraz, a Mechanicsville-born-and-raised singer-songwriter and musician, attended Lee-Davis High School.

He also attended Hanover County Public Schools and the School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community (SPARC).

His Virginian history doesn't stop there. Mraz later moved to Richmond, where he worked various jobs before enrolling at Longwood University in Farmville on a scholarship.

Mraz is best known for his work in the 2000s, with his third studio album, "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things." peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and spawning singles, including "I'm Yours," "Make It Mine" and "Lucky" with Colbie Caillat.

In November 2016, Mraz told 8News: “I think about whether I’m going to sing about lessons they taught me or sing about certain experiences or sing about my circumstances in Richmond,” he explained about his songwriting process. “I also sing about making them proud.”

Lucy Dacus of Boygenius performs at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on Saturday, April 15, 2023, in Indio, Calif. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Lucy Dacus

Lucy Dacus is a Richmond area-native who also grew up in Mechanicsville and began studying film at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) before leaving school.

Dacus is a member of indie supergroup boygenius with fellow musicians Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers.

On Sept. 19, 2025, Dacus will be returning to her home state to perform at the city's Altria Theater in support of her newly-released fourth studio album, “Forever is a Feeling,” released in March.

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Grayson Torrence

Grayson Torrence emerged onto the music scene earlier this year as a contestant on the 23rd season of "American Idol." The 21-year-old from New Kent County competed in school talent shows and sang in her bedroom, fueling her dream of performing on the hit singing show.

“I grew up watching American Idol, so, basically, my entire life I was like, ‘I want to be there,'” Torrence told 8News in March 2025.

During the show, Torrence sang a soulful version of "ceilings" by Lizzy McAlpine, as well as "wildflower" by Billie Eilish and "Fall in Line" by Christina Aguilera feat. Demi Lovato.

After voting for the next top 20 singers on the April 20, 2025, episode, Torrence's journey on the competition ended, and she was eliminated in the first round of 12.

267572 25: Singer D''Angelo stands at the Essence Awards April 26, 1996 in New York City. The ceremony honors African-Americans who represent positive role models to the community. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Liaison)

D'Angelo

Richmond native and R&B singer D'Angelo formed a native-Richmond music group in the 1990s and spent their time between soul covers and original songs.

Originally known for co-producing the single "U Will Know" for R&B supergroup Black Men United, D'Angelo won a Grammy for best male R&B Vocal in 2000 after releasing the single, "How Does It Feel."

His name not only influenced the Neo Soul movement but also redefined it, leaving an impressive mark on the genre in his hometown of Richmond.

Mike Derks aka Balsac the Jaws of Death, left, and Brent Purgason aka Pustulus Maximus of GWAR performs at Riot Fest & Carnival at Douglas Park on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)

GWAR

The heavy metal band, GWAR, formed in Richmond in 1984 after Death Piggy, the band which Dave Brockie was a part of at the time, met Hunter Jackson and Chuck Varga, who both attended VCU, established a production space for a movie, "Scumdogs of the Universe," they wanted to make.

GWAR is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, with an all-year tour that will stop in their hometown of Richmond. They will commemorate this anniversary with a new multimedia release called “The Return of Gor Gor,” which will feature brand-new studio recordings, as well as live performances and an exclusive 32-page comic detailing the return of Gor Gor — GWAR’s long-lost, three-ton Tyrannosaurus Rex.

“The Return of Gor Gor” is set to be released on July 25, and GWAR will make a stop at the Allianz Amphitheater in Richmond on July 24 with Lamb of God and Hatebreed.

Trey Songz

Multi-platinum R&B singer and rapper Trey Songz was a military "brat, his family settling in Petersburg.

In June 2020, Songz sponsored a three-day event series for the Black Lives Matter Movement in Richmond and Petersburg.

“I wanted to bring the unity, peace and hope I felt while marching in California, back home,” Songz told 8News in June 2020.

He was originally approached by Grammy-winning musicians Pusha T and Tony Draper, as well as former NBA star Ricky Davis, to participate in the “Feed Your City Challenge" and hosted the drive in his hometown of Petersburg with former Richmond Mayor Samuel Parham and the city's former Deputy Chief of Police, Travis Christian.

Later that month, Songz also called for the Richmond mayor to resign after the city appointed William “Jody” Blackwell as the new interim police chief the week before.

Songz is best known for his singles, "Can't Help but Wait," "Say Aah" and "Bottoms Up."