10 Music Artists With the Most Scandals

10-Music-Artists-With-the-Most-Scandals

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the musicians who have stirred up the most controversy.

#10: Ozzy Osbourne

Since beginning his career in the ‘60s, the "Prince of Darkness” has upheld a reputation as an agent of chaos. He spontaneously bit off the head of a dove onstage in 1981 and did the same thing to a bat a year later. Ozzy also came under fire in 1982 when he urinated on a monument at the Alamo, though he would eventually apologize for doing so. His other publicized issues have included substance use disorder (which is said to have led to his firing from Black Sabbath), lawsuits over royalties, and accusations of his song lyrics inspiring young fans to take their own lives. But in spite of it all, Ozzy has remained a household name with devoted fans around the world.

#9: Tommy Lee

Mötley Crüe’s drummer has a long history of scandalous behavior. In the 1990s, Lee became infamous for his tumultuous marriage to actress Pamela Anderson. Not only did he serve time in prison for physically attacking the “Baywatch” star, but the couple made international headlines after their stolen private tape was leaked; this saga was chronicled in the Hulu miniseries “Pam & Tommy.” As far as his other offenses, Lee, who sported a swastika tattoo, pummeled a Jewish photographer, and poured beer over a black security guard in North Carolina. A 2007 altercation with Kid Rock at the MTV Video Music Awards, as well as a feud with his own son, further cemented Lee’s unstable reputation.

#8: Rick James

This singer’s funk legacy is unfortunately matched by his legal troubles. James’ excessive issues with substance use disorder were never kept secret, but his heinous actions in 1991 were something no one could have predicted. During a drug-fueled binge, James and his then-girlfriend were accused of kidnapping a woman and subjecting her to torture for nearly a week. He served two years in prison as a result. He was accused of assaulting a number of other women throughout his career, prompting major lawsuits (at least one of which arose even after his 2004 death). Talk about getting “super freaky.”

#7: Axl Rose

The frontman of Guns N’ Roses has led a career filled with meltdowns, wild antics, and public feuds. Known for his volatile temper, Rose instigated the infamous “Riverport Riot” in 1991, during which he abruptly leapt offstage mid-concert and tackled audience members. The next year, Rose faced accusations of homophobia and racism over offensive lyrics in the song "One in a Million." Further, he has a track record of showing up late for shows (when he shows up at all) and picking fights with people from all walks of life, including security guards, paparazzi, and a plethora of celebrities. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a musician who’s been sued as many times as Rose, including an as-yet-untried sexual assault suit.

#6: Chris Brown

Although he’s been celebrated for his singing and songwriting, Brown's troublesome behavior has largely overshadowed his achievements. Take his notorious relationship with singer Rihanna. In 2009, Brown was convicted of physically assaulting Rihanna during a heated argument – an ordeal which, unsurprisingly, lost him a large chunk of his fanbase. But Brown’s misdeeds continued from there. His laundry list includes various accusations of violence, such as a 2013 altercation outside a Washington, D.C. hotel that led to a misdemeanor assault charge. He was subsequently busted for falsely imprisoning his former manager Mike G, as well as threatening an ex-girlfriend. And let’s not forget the time he was kicked out of rehab for throwing a rock at his mother’s car. What a charmer.

#5: Gary Glitter

Once a 70’s glam rock icon with hits like "Hello, Hello, I’m Back Again," Glitter's life took a dark turn in the late ‘90s. In what has been referred to as a “spectacular fall from grace,” Glitter first came under fire in 1997, when he was revealed to have downloaded thousands of illegal images involving children. After serving a few years in prison, he bounced around different countries, where his relationships with underage victims earned him a criminal conviction. Further similar revelations followed in later years. Glitter’s actions have led to his near-total erasure from the music industry, with many of his songs being banned from airplay. Although he’s called himself “The Leader,” we doubt anyone actually wants to follow in his footsteps.

#4: Sean “Diddy” Combs

This wildly popular rapper has been called a lot of things, from “Diddy” to “Puff Daddy” to “P. Diddy” and beyond. Unfortunately, he’s also DONE of a lot of things to severely tarnish his public image. In 1999, Combs was involved in a nightclub shooting in New York City that left three people injured and led to a major trial. Other allegations of violence have been raised in ensuing years. More recently, numerous women have accused Combs of sexually and/or physically assaulting them. He’s also been taken to court for blowing up Kid Cudi’s car, not to mention his alleged involvement in human trafficking. To quote Satan from “South Park,” what DIDN’T Diddy do?!

#3: Marilyn Manson

A shock rocker and the self-described “poster boy for fear,” Manson has faced significant backlash for his dark, provocative image. His name has popped up during a number of high-profile cases, with his detractors claiming his music and performances glorify death and murder. One of the most notable examples is his alleged connection to the 1999 Columbine shooting, with critics claiming Manson’s work inspired the perpetrators. More recently, multiple women – including Manson’s ex-fiancée Evan Rachel Wood – have come forward with accusations of sexual abuse, grooming, and psychological torment. Perhaps taking his name from Hollywood’s most prominent murderous cult leader was not the best idea.

#2: Kanye West

Oh, Ye. When will you learn? While West achieved fame for his music, he’s arguably just as well known for his tendency to land himself in sticky situations. It seems like every time we turn around, he’s attracted more negative attention. The entertainment world stood still when Ye interrupted Taylor Swift’s 2009 Video Music Awards speech. And how about his ad-lib during NBC’s Hurricane Katrina benefit alongside Mike Myers? These may be the first two “Kanye moments” that come to mind, but West has rocked the boat on numerous additional occasions That includes disparaging the Black Lives Matter movement, calling slavery “a choice” and making anti-semetic remarks that have seriously damaged his image. Ye may consider himself a genius, but his actions suggest otherwise.

#1: R. Kelly

He may have once been known as the “King of R&B,” but Kelly’s fame has been eclipsed by a long series of egregious scandals. Allegations of misconduct began surfacing in the 1990s, namely regarding his marriage to 15-year-old Aaliyah in 1994. From there, accusations of predatory behavior continued to grow. A sickening truth was eventually revealed: Kelly had participated in human trafficking, racketeering, and sexual exploitation, among more troubling behavior. His career came to a screeching halt in 2019, following the release of a docuseries called “Surviving R. Kelly,” which explained his crimes in greater detail. Not only was Kelly sentenced to 31 years behind bars, but his once-thriving career has been permanently derailed.


Which of these scandals did you find the most appalling? Let’s talk about it in the comments.