Some musicians have such a problematic connection with the public—whether or not they are responsible for some of the worst songs ever made—that they become almost as well-known for their terrible behavior offstage as they are for their professions. These performers have become some of the most reviled in the industry while drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical styles.
Each listed artist is a solo performer. You won't discover any of the most disliked artists of all time, like Creed or Nickelback, or even recent internet sensations like Rebecca Black. In general, we're thinking about including an artist based on how well-known they are, how interesting their music is, and whether or not they've been into any major controversies away from the spotlight.
9. Justin Bieber
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The fact that this Canadian pop star's meteoric rise to stardom began when he was still a child makes him a spoiled brat of the highest order. Even if we ignore his annoying, unimpressive music, Bieber leaves a trail of awful actions. We knew he would always be on the list because of how abusive he is with his followers and how spoiled he is.
8. Nicki Minaj
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Whether you like her music or not, you can't deny that
Nicki Minaj has had many recent successes. Yet, her overtly sexual demeanor, inane melodies and lyrics, and never-ending feuds haven't exactly made her hip-most hop's influential figure. Female rappers like Lauryn Hill were an artistic inspiration, and their time has passed.
7. Chris Brown
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Brown, like Bieber, has a tumultuous personal life. While the domestic violence controversy involving him and his ex-girlfriend
Rihanna received the most attention, Brown's aggressive nature has also landed him in legal trouble and feuds with other musicians. Many have argued that his singing and dancing abilities excuse him from his past mistakes, yet some will not let the past go.
6. Taylor Swift
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Despite being one of the biggest singers in the world, Swift has faced a backlash due to her popular success in the pop industry, with many people tiring of her frequent tabloid appearances, her eerily immaculate public demeanor, and her propensity to create music about her love life. Some people think she speaks for our generation. Some people think she should leave them alone.
5. Axl Rose
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As lead singer for Guns N' Roses, he has contributed importantly to the developing rock music. However, Rose's arrogance, diva mentality, and bad behavior continue to make him unpopular. Yet, he can get away with more than most people by claiming that his fame as a musician is to blame.
4. Pitbull
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This rapper from Miami has been extremely successful because of hits like "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" and "Timber." Yet his constant presence over the previous five years has made his voice annoying to others. His lyrics are overtly sexual and rife with weak rhymes, which doesn't help.
3. Miley Cyrus
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One of the most unusual live performances ever was given by this one-time kid star (involving Robin Thicke and a giant foam finger). Although understandably, a more mature Cyrus would want to distance herself from her childhood persona, there is such a thing as going too far. The movie "Wrecking Ball" gets a pass from us. We still think that's a great tune.
2. Kanye West
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Where can I even begin describing this so-called musical genius? His marriage to Kim Kardashian has only increased the attention he receives from the tabloids, and his enormous ego and chronic poor conduct have done little to endear him to the public. However, even West's music hasn't been enough to put him back on top of the hip-hop landscape.
1. Marilyn Manson
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With charges of Satanism and other immoral themes, Manson has been called one of the most controversial musical artists ever. His devilish take on the heavy metal sound has understandably turned off many. His image, however, has suffered over the years due to a slew of lawsuits and other controversies.