Top Ten Music Artists with the Most Troubled Pasts
Ever thought that your life sucked? Well, here are some famous and critically acclaimed music artists that have most likely had it worse than you. I probably missed a few so feel free to add more.Jonathan Davis, the lead singer of Korn, had a very troubling and sad childhood. His parents divorced when he was 3 years old, and he was sent to live with his father and stepmother, who tortured him in horrific ways. He suffered severe asthma attacks that almost resulted in his death when he was only 5. Jonathan has also revealed that he was sexually abused by a family friend, but his family didn't believe him when he tried to tell them. He later wrote the song "Daddy" about his traumatic experience. Additionally, he was bullied and harassed in school.
Eminem was raised by a single mother who was described as unstable and paranoid by a social worker. Since he usually ended up living in primarily Black neighborhoods, Eminem was often severely bullied. On one occasion, his arm was broken by a fellow student. As an adult (before his career), Eminem struggled to provide for his wife Kim and their young daughter Hailie. He was addicted to drugs for several years and overdosed on heroin once.
After reading that, I just have to feel so bad for the guy. What kind of father would do that to his own child?
Axl Rose was born to a teenage mother and a local criminal. His parents divorced when he was 2 years old, and he never got to know his biological father, who abducted and assaulted him before disappearing. Axl grew up in a strictly Christian household where he wasn't allowed to watch TV or listen to music, as his stepfather deemed them Satanic. His stepfather was also abusive, regularly beating Axl, his siblings, and his mother. At 17, Axl discovered his biological father's identity, changed his name, and became a juvenile delinquent, leading to multiple arrests. A few years later, he moved to LA with his friend Izzy and formed Guns N' Roses. In his later years, Axl suffered from bipolar disorder and depression, and he has mentioned attempting suicide several times by overdosing on painkillers.
50 Cent was born and raised in a primarily Jamaican neighborhood in New York. His mother was a drug dealer who died in a fire when he was 8. After his father left him, 50 Cent was adopted by his grandma. He started dealing cocaine and other narcotics when he was about 12. In 1994, he was arrested for possession of drugs and weapons and was sent to a boot camp for 6 months. He has even been shot before.
Nicki Minaj lived with her grandma in Trinidad until she was 5. She moved in with the rest of her family after her mom bought a house in Queens, New York. Nicki's father became addicted to crack and alcohol and regularly threatened and hit her mom. It even got to the point where he burned down the house. Living in a rough neighborhood, Nicki witnessed many disturbing things such as shootings and drug deals.
Cobain was a very troubled man who suffered from depression and severe drug addiction. He had a bad relationship with both his parents and ran away from home more than once. He became addicted to drugs (mostly heroin), which led to Nirvana having to cancel several of their concerts. In 1994, he was found dead in his home. Most say that he committed suicide. Others think that his wife, with whom he had a rather toxic relationship, murdered him. Regardless of how he died, Kurt had a truly tragic life.
Shania grew up in a rural area surrounded by poverty and a crumbling relationship. Her parents struggled to earn money, and Shania and the rest of her family often went hungry. Shania started singing in bars to help pay her family's bills. When she was 21, both her parents were killed in a car accident, and she was forced to adopt and take care of her younger siblings.
The King of Pop was born into a large working-class family near Gary, Indiana. His father was very strict and regularly whipped Michael and his siblings. Michael said that during rehearsals, his dad emotionally and physically abused him, even sometimes telling his son things like "you have a big fat nose" or "get your ass back on stage." He was often beaten if he messed up during a rehearsal.
During her childhood, Christina shared a house with an abusive father who often fought with her mother. She often used music as a way to escape her violent household. Luckily, her parents divorced, and she moved to the suburbs to live with her grandma.
Her childhood was basically being a lonely girl with alcohol problems who strongly feared the idea of her parents dying someday.
The bassist of Mötley Crüe, although most known for leading a glamorous lifestyle, had a troubled past. His dad left the family, and Sixx was sent to live with an abusive mother. He briefly moved in with his grandparents in Idaho, where he shoplifted, vandalized, and got expelled from school for selling drugs. His parents sent him back to his mom, and there, he learned to play bass guitar.