Mississippi is the birthplace of the blues, a music genre that originated in African-American communities in the Deep South of the United States. The blues is characterized by its use of specific chord progressions, improvisation, and lyrics that often express personal hardship and social commentary. Mississippi has produced some of the most influential blues musicians in history, including B.B. King, Robert Johnson, and Muddy Waters. The blues has also had a significant impact on other genres of music, such as jazz, rock and roll, and hip hop.