famous musicians whose real names might surprise you

Creating a stage name has been common practice for generations, not only for bands but also for solo artists.

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We become accustomed to hearing these stage names in the news and on the radio so often that we forget about the person behind their moniker.

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Lady Gaga was born Stefani Joanne Germanotta on March 28, 1986 in Manhattan, New York City, New York. Her stage name is a reference to her idol Freddie Mercury.

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Eminem

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Snoop Dogg

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Deadmau5

White Lightning Deadmau5 was born Joel Thomas Zimmerman. Zimmerman was known to several friends as “the dead mouse guy” after he found a dead mouse inside a computer he was repairing. Learn more

Grimes was born Claire Elise Boucher. Selecting the “grime” form of music as her style, the singer ended up liking the sound of the made-up word “Grimes.”

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Madonna

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