Top 10 Music Artists that Have Gotten Worse Over Time
Some artists age like wine. Others? Like unrefrigerated dairy in the middle of summer.
You've probably heard it before: "Their old stuff was better." And yes, sometimes that's just nostalgic whining from fans stuck in the past. But other times, it's spot-on. Some musicians had a fire that fizzled, swapped out their sound for a mess of confusion, or lost the key ingredient that made them special in the first place. Maybe it was a bold new direction that landed face-first into a ditch. Or a key member passed away and took the magic with them. Or maybe they just got lazy, surrounded by yes-men and auto-tune, coasting on the fumes of their earlier greatness.
This list is for those cases. The ones where you hit play on a new release and wonder what happened. The ones where chart-toppers became background noise. The ones where reinvention turned into regression. Whatever the reason, you're here to weigh in.
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Kanye West
Ye (born Kanye Omari West. June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. He is regarded as one of the most influential and controversial artists of the 21st century.
Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West initially gained fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella... read more
Kanye's first three albums (The College Dropout, Late Registration, and Graduation) were all classics and are something that every rap fan has to listen to. His fourth album (808s & Heartbreak) was average, but that was when he started going downhill because of his depression caused by his mother's death.
His fifth album (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy) was also average, but this was where we first saw how egotistical he had become. His last two albums (Yeezus and The Life of Pablo) were just garbage and noise with no creative lyricism or unique beats. I miss the old Kanye!
The first three albums (College Dropout, Late Registration, Graduation) were amazing. His next two (808s & Heartbreak, MBDTF) were good, but he became a bit egotistical. His last two were kind of lame compared to his older stuff. He's still decent and hasn't gone downhill too badly.
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Madonna
Madonna Louise Ciccone, known professionally as Madonna, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She has influenced many artists, including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Beyoncé Knowles, and Britney Spears. Often referred to as the "Queen of Pop," she has played a significant... read more
At first, I thought she was absolutely terrible because the first song I heard from her was one of her more recent ones. Although I still don't care for her old stuff, it was at least better than what she does now.
It's sad to say, but Madonna is past her prime. I don't know what's worse nowadays, her music or her showing her ass and acting like she's young on Jimmy Fallon's show.
This singer is good, but she's getting worse every year. Her newer songs sound like generic trap pop, especially B****! I'm Madonna. Don't get me wrong, I'm amazed by artists in their 40s and 50s who make songs that appeal to younger generations, but that song is just a pathetic excuse.
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Linkin Park
Linkin Park is an American alternative rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The current members include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ), Emily Armstrong (vocals), and Colin Brittain (drums). Linkin Park... read more
If you think this band is still good, listen to Battle Symphony and Heavy. That's all I'm gonna say...
Their first three albums were pretty good, and then they turned to crap.
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Guns n Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. In addition to hard rock, they are also... read more
Their late 80s and early 90s were good, but their album Chinese Democracy is not that good.
It's a shame. I liked their old stuff.
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Taylor Swift
Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter born on December 13, 1989, in Reading, Pennsylvania. She developed a strong interest in country music around the age of nine after watching a documentary about Faith Hill. Swift moved to Nashville as a teenager, signed a development deal with RCA Records... read more
Just imagine her negative frame of mind that fuels the drive to make songs and videos to scorn old boyfriends and beefs with other artists (for more than a decade now).
I'm glad people aren't crazy about her anymore. In a few years, she'll fade into obscurity.
She's going downhill and uphill again. She made great albums such as Fearless and Speak Now, but her album Reputation is her weakest. However, she's going uphill again with albums such as Folklore and Evermore.
I went to her concert a few months ago. If I had to choose between her old stuff and new stuff, I'd go with the old stuff like Blank Space.
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Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is a hard rock and pop rock band formed in 1983. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora (who left in 2013), bassist Alec John Such (who left in 1994), keyboardist David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres.... read more
Unfortunately, yes. After 2000, they started playing mostly country songs or country-inspired songs. I like their 80s songs very much.
They were awful way back in the 80s and 90s, and they got much worse with making forgettable and boring rock songs.
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Coldplay
Coldplay is a British rock band formed in 1996. The group includes Chris Martin (lead vocals, piano), Jonny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass), and Will Champion (drums, backing vocals). Their manager, Phil Harvey, is often referred to as the unofficial fifth member.... read more
I don't think they've gotten worse. It's more the fact that I've just grown away from them. I think it's more my state of mind than their musical talent.
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Maroon 5
Maroon 5 is an American pop and pop‑rock band formed in Los Angeles, California. The group originally came together in 1994 under the name Kara's Flowers, when Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden, and Ryan Dusick were still in high school. They self‑released a demo and a studio album before... read more
They used to be good, but they have gone downhill. They make generic and forgettable pop songs. It's just like Adam Levine and his band. So, I call them Adam Levine and His Melons or Maroon Boredom.
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Muse
Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The members are Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, lead guitar, piano, keyboards), Dom Howard (drums, percussion), and Chris Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals). They have won numerous awards, including five MTV Europe Music Awards... read more
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Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados. She began her music career in 2003 by recording demo tapes with producers Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken, and eventually signed with Def Jam Recordings after an audition for... read more
From 2006 to 2012, she was one of those "hit or miss" artists. Some of her songs were good, and some were mediocre. Now, almost all of them are flat-out terrible.
She started off good, but now her newer songs are more hit or miss.
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Imagine Dragons
Imagine Dragons is an American pop rock band from Provo, Utah, now based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The band's lineup includes lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and touring drummer Andrew Tolman.... read more
They sound like a parody of themselves nowadays.
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The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Their first stable line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar and harmonica), Mick Jagger (lead vocals and harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar), Bill Wyman (bass), and Charlie Watts (drums), while Ian Stewart continued working with the... read more
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The Game
Jayceon Terrell Taylor, better known by his stage name The Game, is an American rapper and actor. He was born on November 29, 1979, in Los Angeles, California. Game spent most of his childhood in foster care, despite being aware of his siblings. He signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment in 2003... read more
His Eminem diss was so horrible. His older stuff is better.
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Drake
Aubrey Drake Graham (born October 24, 1986) is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor from Toronto. He first gained public attention as an actor on the Canadian series Degrassi: The Next Generation before launching a music career. Drake's become one of the world's best-selling... read more
Here is one that makes a lot of sense. His music in the later 2010s has just gotten boring, yet he has kept getting more popular somehow.
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The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips are an American rock band that formed in 1983 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. During the 1980s and early 1990s, they recorded several albums and EPs with the independent label Restless Records. The band later gained wider recognition for its experimental music and elaborate live shows.
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U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk and gradually evolved to incorporate elements of alternative rock, electronic music, and pop. Known for their anthemic sound and use... read more
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ZZ Top
ZZ Top is an American rock band formed in Houston, Texas, in 1969. The band's classic lineup consisted of bassist and lead vocalist Dusty Hill, guitarist and lead vocalist Billy Gibbons, and drummer Frank Beard. Known for their blues-infused rock and signature beards, ZZ Top achieved commercial success... read more
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Snoop Dogg
Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr. (born October 20, 1971), known as Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, actor, record producer, and television personality from Long Beach, California. He first achieved fame in 1992 on Dr. Dre's debut solo single Deep Cover and the album The Chronic. Snoop has since sold over... read more
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Z-Ro
Joseph Wayne McVey IV is better known by his stage names Z-Ro and The Mo City Don. He is an American rapper from Houston, Texas. Z-Ro is recognized for his lyrical delivery, often addressing themes such as hardship and resilience. Over the years, he has released numerous solo albums and collaborated... read more
Should be top 5. This guy fell so hard.
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Motley Crue
Mötley Crüe is an American metal band formed in Los Angeles, California on January 17, 1981. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, along with lead vocalist Vince Neil and lead guitarist Mick Mars. They are known for their hedonistic lifestyle and iconic albums such as Dr... read more
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Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears (born on December 2, 1981, in McComb, Mississippi) is an American former singer and actress. She was raised in Kentwood, Louisiana. As a child, she performed acting roles in stage productions and television shows, such as The Mickey Mouse Club, before signing with Jive Records in... read more
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Nicki Minaj
Onika Tanya Maraj, known professionally as Nicki Minaj (born December 8, 1982), is a Trinidadian-American rapper and pop artist. She is widely recognized for hits like "Anaconda," "Super Bass," "Starships," and her feature on "Bang Bang."... read more
She was a talented and fun artist who has now become a dirty ho who always talks about ass. I miss the old Nicki. I really do.
At least in 2012, she had some decent songs. Now it's all about her ass.
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Yo Gotti
Mario Mims, better known by his stage name Yo Gotti, is an American rapper. He released his debut album, Youngsta's on a Come Up, in 1996 under the alias Lil Yo. Since then, he has released multiple successful albums and founded the record label Collective Music Group.
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50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III, better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, entrepreneur, and producer. He gained fame with his 2003 debut studio album, Get Rich or Die Tryin', which was a commercial success and included hit singles such as In da Club. In addition to music, he has... read more
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Iggy Azalea
Amethyst Amelia Kelly, born June 7, 1990, and known professionally as Iggy Azalea, is an Australian rapper, singer, songwriter, and model. She gained international recognition with her debut single Work and her hit Fancy featuring Charli XCX. Azalea has released several studio albums and mixtapes and... read more
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R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967), known professionally as R. Kelly, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and convicted sex offender. He has been credited with helping to redefine R&B and hip hop, earning nicknames such as "the King of R&B," "the King of Pop-Soul," and the... read more
This is the time I'm starting to appreciate these sorts of artists more, but considering what's been happening, I just can't be a fan of him anymore.
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Poison
Poison is an American glam metal and hard rock band. The group achieved major commercial success from the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s with hit singles such as Every Rose Has Its Thorn and Nothin' but a Good Time. Its best-known lineup consists of Bret Michaels, Rikki Rockett, Bobby Dall, and C.C... read more