From Kendrick Lamar and Cynthia Erivo to Micheal B. Jordan and Zac Efron, 1987 produced a seriously impressive crop of talent. As Chalkys celebrates its 39th birthday, we look back at some of the stars born in the same year who are still dominating music, film and television.

There is something pretty satisfying about turning 39 and discovering that your birth year was responsible for producing some of the biggest names in entertainment and sport.

1987 was the year Chalkys was born. It was also the year that gave us Kendrick Lamar, Cynthia Erivo, Michael B. Jordan, Zac Efron, Karen Gillan, among plenty of others.

Nearly four decades later, many of them aren't simply still working. They are still winning, still breaking records, still selling tickets and still producing moments that become part of popular culture.

And that feels like the perfect excuse for a little nostalgia.

Quick Answer: Who are the biggest stars born in 1987?

The most prominent music, film and sports stars born in 1987 include Kendrick Lamar, Cynthia Erivo, Frank Ocean, Kesha, Wiz Khalifa, Brendon Urie, Michael B. Jordan, Zac Efron, Blake Lively, Karen Gillan, Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Ronda Rousey and Oleksandr Usyk.

Among the biggest current success stories, Kendrick Lamar stands out in music, while Michael B. Jordan and Cynthia Erivo remain major forces in film and entertainment. In sport, Lionel Messi and Oleksandr Usyk have established themselves among the greatest competitors of all time.

Key Facts

Star	Born	Field	Why they still matter
Kendrick Lamar	June 17, 1987	Music	Grammy-winning global rap superstar
Cynthia Erivo	January 8, 1987	Music & Film	Award-winning performer and Wicked star
Frank Ocean	October 28, 1987	Music	Hugely influential R&B artist
Michael B. Jordan	February 9, 1987	Film	Actor, director and Creed star
Zac Efron	October 18, 1987	Film	From High School Musical to acclaimed dramatic roles
Lionel Messi	June 24, 1987	Football	Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup champion
Novak Djokovic	May 22, 1987	Tennis	24-time Grand Slam singles champion
Andy Murray	May 15, 1987	Tennis	Two-time Wimbledon champion and British sporting icon
Ronda Rousey	February 1, 1987	MMA & Wrestling	One of the most influential female combat-sports stars
Oleksandr Usyk	January 17, 1987	Boxing	Undisputed champion and heavyweight superstar

 

Kendrick Lamar: 1987's current musical heavyweight

If you wanted to pick one artist from 1987 who is arguably having the biggest moment right now, Kendrick Lamar would be an extremely difficult name to beat.

Born in Compton on June 17, 1987, Lamar has gone from one of the most respected rappers of his generation to something much bigger: a genuine cultural heavyweight.

His latest album, GNX, won the Grammy for Best Rap Album at the 2026 Grammy Awards, while "luther", his collaboration with SZA, won Record of the Year.

That came after a remarkable run that had already seen Kendrick Lamar dominate the 2025 Grammy Awards with "Not Like Us", before taking the stage for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show.

By 2026, the Recording Academy lists Lamar with 27 Grammy wins, an extraordinary total that puts him among the most decorated artists in Grammy history.

Not bad for someone who was born in the same year that Chalkys first opened its doors.

And there is something particularly appropriate about celebrating him here. At Chalkys, we have always believed that music is more than a release date. It's the album you bought, the CD you played repeatedly, the vinyl you hunted down and the record that takes you straight back to a particular moment.

Kendrick has spent his career making records that people don't simply hear. They experience.

Cynthia Erivo: From London stage to global superstar

Cynthia Erivo is another extraordinary example of just how far a career can travel in less than four decades.

Born in London on January 8, 1987, Erivo first became known for her extraordinary stage work before becoming a global film star.

Her performance as Elphaba in the Wicked films has put her firmly into mainstream movie superstardom, while she has continued to build an impressive career across music, theatre and film.

What makes Cynthia Erivo particularly interesting is that she doesn't really fit into one box. She is an actor, singer and performer who can move between West End theatre, Hollywood and the recording studio without losing what makes her distinctive.

That feels very 1987.

It was a year when artists could still become household names through talent and persistence rather than algorithms, and Erivo's career has that old-fashioned sense of having been built on being exceptionally good at what she does.

Frank Ocean, Kesha, Wiz Khalifa and the soundtrack of a generation

The 1987 cohort doesn't stop with Kendrick.

Frank Ocean has become one of the defining voices of modern R&B, with Channel Orange and Blonde becoming hugely influential albums despite his relatively limited output.

Then there is Kesha, who emerged from the late-2000s pop explosion and became one of the defining stars of an era with songs such as "Tik Tok".

Wiz Khalifa helped take hip-hop further into the mainstream, while Brendon Urie became the unmistakable voice and face of Panic! At The Disco.

Bow Wow, Kevin Jonas, Jay Park and T.O.P also belong to this unusually star-packed birth year.

Not every one of them is operating at the absolute peak of their career today, but that isn't really the point.

They were part of the soundtrack of growing up for millions of people.

And that is where nostalgia becomes powerful.

Michael B. Jordan: From The Wire to Hollywood heavyweight

Michael B. Jordan was born on February 9, 1987, and has built one of the most impressive acting careers of his generation.

For many, he will always be remembered as Wallace from The Wire, but that was just the beginning.

From Friday Night Lights and Fruitvale Station to Black Panther and the Creed franchise, Jordan has established himself as one of Hollywood's most recognisable leading men.

He has also moved behind the camera, directing Creed III, proving that the 1987-born generation isn't simply hanging around Hollywood. They are increasingly controlling what gets made too.

And with more Creed and Thomas Crown Affair projects in his future, Michael B. Jordan looks set to remain a major Hollywood presence for years to come.

Zac Efron: From teenage heartthrob to serious actor

Then there is Zac Efron.

For anyone who remembers the mid-2000s, it is almost impossible to hear his name without immediately thinking of High School Musical.

But Zac Efron's career has evolved dramatically since then.

He successfully moved beyond the teenage heartthrob label, taking on comedy, drama and increasingly challenging roles. His performance in The Iron Claw was a particularly striking reminder that the actor who became famous as Troy Bolton was capable of much more than the early Disney years suggested.

That is one of the great things about looking back at people born in 1987.

We have effectively grown up alongside them.

The kid from the film you watched on DVD is now the actor headlining serious dramas. The pop star whose CD you bought is now an established veteran. The footballer you first watched as a teenager is now one of the greatest players ever to kick a ball.

The 1987 sports superstars are ridiculous

If the entertainment world wasn't enough, 1987 also gave us one of the most extraordinary sporting generations imaginable.

And this is where the birthday celebrations get slightly silly.

Because Lionel Messi was born in 1987.

So was Novak Djokovic.

And Andy Murray.

And Ronda Rousey.

And Oleksandr Usyk.

That's an absurd amount of sporting talent in one birth year.

What was happening when these stars were born?

And perhaps this is the best part.

When Kendrick Lamar, Michael B. Jordan, Messi, Djokovic, Murray and the rest were being born, the world looked very different.

1987 was the year of:

• Michael Jackson's Bad
• U2's The Joshua Tree
• George Michael's Faith
• Whitney Houston's Whitney
• Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction
• The birth of The Simpsons as a short segment on The Tracey Ullman Show
• Dirty Dancing becoming a huge cinema hit
• RoboCop, Predator and The Lost Boys
• VHS players, cassette tapes and the first generation of home entertainment becoming genuinely mainstream
• The Walkman, record shops and music collections that could take up an entire bedroom

And somewhere in all of that, Chalkys was getting started.

That is what makes this birthday particularly special.

39 years of music, movies and memories

Chalkys and the people on this list have something important in common.

They have lasted.

Trends change. Formats change. Technology changes. The way we discover music and movies changes.  But great entertainment has a habit of sticking around.

The album that sounded incredible in 1987 can still sound incredible today. The film you watched on VHS can still make you laugh. The CD you bought with your first pay packet can still bring back exactly where you were when you first heard it.

And the stars who arrived during that era can become part of the same soundtrack.

That is why we love physical music and film at Chalkys.

There is something different about owning it.

You can pull an album from the shelf. You can see the artwork. You can hold the sleeve. You can put the disc on. You can rediscover a film you haven't watched for 20 years.

And suddenly, you're not in 2026 anymore.

You're back in 1987.

Or 1997.

Or 2007.

Or whenever that particular record or film first meant something to you.

The 1987 generation proves that great things last

So as Chalkys celebrates turning 39, we're raising a metaphorical glass to everyone born in 1987.

To Kendrick Lamar, still pushing rap forward.

To Cynthia Erivo, conquering stage and screen.

To Michael B. Jordan, building his own Hollywood empire.

To Zac Efron, proving that careers can evolve.

To Frank Ocean, Kesha, Wiz Khalifa, Brendon Urie and the rest of the musicians who soundtracked an era.

The best music, films and performances don't have an expiry date.

And neither, it seems, does 1987.

Looking for the soundtrack to your own memories?

Whether you're rediscovering the albums you loved in 1987, replacing an old CD, building a vinyl collection or finally picking up that film you remember watching years ago, Chalkys is all about keeping great music and entertainment alive.

Explore our huge range of CDs, vinyl, DVDs, Blu-rays and 4K UHD and find something that takes you back.

Because nostalgia is great.

But owning the soundtrack is even better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the most famous people born in 1987?

Some of the most famous people born in 1987 include Kendrick Lamar, Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Michael B. Jordan, Zac Efron, Cynthia Erivo, Frank Ocean, Kesha, Wiz Khalifa, Ronda Rousey and Oleksandr Usyk.

Which famous musicians were born in 1987?

Kendrick Lamar, Cynthia Erivo, Frank Ocean, Kesha, Wiz Khalifa, Brendon Urie, Bow Wow, Kevin Jonas, Jay Park and T.O.P were all born in 1987.

Which famous actors were born in 1987?

Michael B. Jordan, Zac Efron, Blake Lively, Hilary Duff, Karen Gillan, Evan Peters, Shay Mitchell, Elliot Page and Jemima West were born in 1987.

Was Lionel Messi born in 1987?

Yes. Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. He is one of the most decorated footballers in history and currently plays for Inter Miami.

Was Novak Djokovic born in 1987?

Yes. Novak Djokovic was born on May 22, 1987, in Belgrade, Serbia. He has won 24 Grand Slam singles titles and has been world No. 1.

Was Andy Murray born in 1987?

Yes. Andy Murray was born on May 15, 1987, in Scotland. He won Wimbledon twice and became the first British man to win the Wimbledon men's singles title in the Open Era.

Why is 1987 significant for Chalkys?

1987 is significant because it is the year Chalkys was born. As Chalkys celebrates its 39th birthday, looking at the famous musicians, actors and sports stars born in the same year is a natural way to celebrate almost four decades of music, film and entertainment.