DiCaprio Reveals His Musical Tastes: Vintage Blues and Jazz Legends
The Oscar-winning actor opens up about his surprising musical preferences, showcasing a deep love for classic American artists from decades past that might shock fans expecting modern hits.
Leonardo DiCaprio has stayed away from musical projects throughout his career, though not without attempting to break into that world. Back in the 1990s, he tried out for the lead role in Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge!, but despite their previous collaboration on Romeo + Juliet, he didn't land the part. The actor later blamed his terrible singing abilities for missing out on the opportunity, which probably explains why we've never seen him tackle any musical films since then.
While other Hollywood stars have pushed forward with questionable vocal talents - think Russell Crowe's performance in Les Misérables or Pierce Brosnan's attempt in Mamma Mia! - DiCaprio chose a different path. He's dominated nearly every other corner of cinema, steering clear of both musicals and superhero movies, cementing his status as one of the industry's most respected performers.
A Passion for Classic American Sounds
Even though he avoids making music himself, DiCaprio's love for the art form runs incredibly deep. During a recent conversation with Time magazine, the One Battle After Another star shared his favorite artists, revealing tastes that lean heavily toward vintage American music. His preferences show a clear pattern - while he's known for dating younger women, his musical choices favor artists from much earlier eras.
The actor expressed particular fondness for classic blues performers, specifically mentioning "a lot of blind guys." His list includes legendary figures like Blind Willie McTell, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Willie Johnson, and Blind Blake, along with the incomparable Stevie Wonder. He also highlighted pre-doo-wop vocal groups that dominated the 1930s and '40s, including the Ink Spots and The Mills Brothers.
Timeless Artists That Shape His World
DiCaprio's musical roster extends beyond blues to include Johnny Mercer, the brilliant composer behind classics like 'Moon River' and 'Autumn Leaves.' He also mentioned two absolute legends: Django Reinhardt, the groundbreaking jazz guitarist, and R&B icon Al Green. The entire collection represents a distinctly old-school approach to music appreciation.
Remarkably, Stevie Wonder stands as the youngest artist on his list, and even he's approaching 80 years old. When explaining his attraction to these vintage vocalists, DiCaprio noted, "I like that sort of World War II–era harmony... It keeps me calm and chill." This preference raises interesting questions about whether he exclusively listens to pre-2000s music, which would be charmingly traditional for someone known as one of Hollywood's biggest party enthusiasts.
The Complete Musical Collection
DiCaprio's ten favorite musicians represent a fascinating snapshot of American musical history: Blind Willie McTell, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Willie Johnson, Blind Blake, The Ink Spots, The Mills Brothers, Johnny Mercer, Django Reinhardt, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder. This collection spans blues, jazz, R&B, and early vocal harmony groups, showing his appreciation for the foundational sounds that shaped modern American music.