Top 10 Hated Musical Artists

This high school dropout-turned-popstar has had multiple top 10 hits. So while there’s clearly an audience for her dance, hip-hop and electronic music, there are many who discredit her as a talentless party girl. Ke$ha’s most often targeted for her overly simple lyrics, heavily auto-tuned music and talk-style rapped vocals. Describing herself as garbage-chic and using a $ sign in her stage name only makes matters worse.

Weezy’s been trashed for his overuse of Auto-tune, rapping about nonsense, reusing lyrical content and for having an unappealing (read: annoying) voice. But he’s a Grammy-winning multi-platinum certified rapper – so somebody’s listening. What most people don’t like is the special treatment: after multiple arrests, Lil Wayne served 8 months of a 1-year jail sentence. He’s also been involved with his share of copyright infringement lawsuits and hip-hop feuds.

Let’s give credit where credit is due: John Mayer is one helluva guitarist and his songwriting ain’t too shabby either – his Grammys prove it. Some might think his music’s too sappy, but it isn’t why people think he’s a douchebag with a capital D. Aside from his conceited demeanor and lothario reputation, his TMI Playboy article sealed the deal: Mayer came off as a racist and a sexual oversharer.

Judging by his millions in sales and Grammy wins, most people have nothing against his music. But it’s a different story when it comes to West’s arrogant personality, lack of a filter and tendency to act without thinking: after accusing the President of racism on live TV, he appeared as Jesus on Rolling Stone. But what he’s most remembered (and hated) for is stealing Taylor Swift’s thunder at MTV’s VMAs.

She may be a mega-successful recording artist but Nicki Minaj is far from being music’s most-liked personality. The rapper initially made waves for her wild outfits, larger-than-life image and rapping abilities. But she’s been criticized for her high-pitched voice and copping Lil’ Kim’s black Barbie style. Her time as “American Idol” judge has deepened the hate and spawned a huge social media backlash.

She’s one of the last people you’d ever call well adjusted. True, her husband committed suicide, but Courtney Love was already known for her on-stage screaming fits and drug binges with Hole by then. After conspiracy theorists blamed her for Kurt’s death, Love became even more of a trainwreck, throwing things at celebrities, stripping in public, fighting with former Nirvana members and blasting people online. But her estrangement with daughter Frances Bean is probably worst of all.

There are many reasons why horrorcore isn’t mainstream and Insane Clown Posse is probably one of them. While they’ve got gold- and platinum-certified albums and extremely devoted followers, ICP’s also been dubbed the world’s most hated band. It doesn’t help that their crazy shows and supernatural and horror-infused lyrics may have inspired Juggalos to commit crimes that’ve got them branded as a loosely-organized hybrid gang by the FBI. Also, their fans are called Juggalos. Ew.

This small-town Canadian boy went from Internet sensation to chart-topper and most-followed Twitter celebrity. But with all that success came a whole lotta haters. While some people bash his teen pop, many are jealous of his fame. Still others point to his swagger coach-fabricated street image and his Beliebers’ outrageous antics. Adding fuel to the fire are several paparazzi incidents and an unfortunate comment about a famous Holocaust victim.

Nickelback are often the punching bag of critics who claim their music’s crass, crude and formulaic. With lines like “I like your pants around your feet” and “you look so much cuter with something in your mouth,” it’s not hard to see why. But “someday, somehow,” the band’s arrogance and lack of originality have worked in their favor: they’re one of the best-selling acts of the early millennium.

While his alleged beating of on-again-off-again girlfriend Rihanna is inexcusable and ample justification for his inclusion in this list, it's his subsequent actions that cemented his place in the most hated hall of fame. Once hailed as the next Michael Jackson, Brown tainted his reputation with numerous altercations and a tattoo that looked suspiciously like a battered woman. Don’t feel too bad for Chris though – he’s still got 5 top 10 albums (and probably more to come).

Do you agree with our list? Which musical artist do you love to hate? Be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com for more entertaining top 10s.