Brilliant Maps compiles maps of interesting things like countries that ban the corporal punishment of children or US State Route Marker Shields or (like the one above) the best-selling music artist or band from each US state.

In this particular map (created by reddit user famicon3) shows the best-selling American artist by state—click on the maps to get a better look. While there are the expected names (Elvis, Madonna, and Johnny Cash) there are a few surprises:

Alabama – Lionel Richie
Alaska – Portugal, The Man
Arizona – Linda Ronstadt
Arkansas – Johnny Cash
California – Eagles
Colorado – The Fray
Connecticut – Michael Bolton
Delaware – George Thorogood
Florida – Backstreet Boys
Georgia – Kanye West
Hawaii – Bruno Mars
Idaho – Paul Revere & the Raiders
Illinois – Chicago
Indiana – Michael Jackson
Iowa – Andy Williams
Kansas – Kansas
Kentucky – Dwight Yoakam
Louisiana – Lil Wayne
Maine – Howie Day
Maryland – Toni Braxton
Massachusetts – James Taylor
Michigan – Madonna
Minnesota – Prince
Mississippi – Elvis Presley
Missouri – Eminem
Montana – Nicolette Larson
Nebraska – Mannheim Steamroller
Nevada – The Killers
New Hampshire – Aerosmith
New Jersey – Whitney Houston
New Mexico – John Denver
New York – Mariah Carey
North Carolina – Randy Travis
North Dakota – Wiz Khalifa
Ohio – Rascal Flatts
Oklahoma – Garth Brooks
Oregon – Everclear
Pennsylvania – Taylor Swift
Rhode Island – Billy Gilman
South Carolina – Hootie & the Blowfish
South Dakota – Shawn Colvin
Tennessee – Tina Turner
Texas – George Strait
Utah – Jewel
Vermont – Phish
Virginia – Dave Matthews Band
Washington – Kenny G
West Virginia – Brad Paisley
Wisconsin – Steve Miller
Wyoming – Spencer Bohren

If this kinda thing tickles the old ukulele strings then take a peek at Best Selling Musical Artists By English County of Origin (created by reddit user uvbseventysix), which throws up a few more unexpected names.
 

 
Then there is the map of Best Selling Singer Or Band From Each London Borough (created by redddit user wittybrits), which highlights the best-selling musical acts according to the London borough in which they were born. Elton John was born in Pinner, which is part of Harrow; George Michael came from East Finchley which is in the borough of Barnet; while Amy Winehouse made her first appearance in Southgate, Enfield.
 

 
A follow-up map identifying each of the London boroughs by name was created by reddit user Hates_.
 

 
Some people call this kinda thing “map porn,” I call it interesting.
 
H/T Brilliant Maps.
 

Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Bloody Geography: Horror maps that detail what fright flicks were set in your home state
An interactive map of every record store on Earth. You’re welcome.
Map of the best college radio stations
Massive pentagram viewable in Kazakhstan on Google Maps
Maps to the Stars: Beautiful astronomical drawings from the 19th century
Rock And Roll Road Map For Dummies
Social networking map: the new world order