Egos have always existed, with history showcasing many individuals with inflated self-views. Today, they seem more prominent due to the commercialization of the arts. Musicians, often already arrogant, can become even more so with record deals, ticket sales, and global fame. When we hear the term “ego,” we usually think of artists we encounter daily on our phones and the radio, rather than athletes, chefs, or writers. Below is a list of music’s biggest egos.
Beyoncé
In 2018, Beyoncé and Jay-Z closed down the Louvre in Paris to film a music video. In the video, Beyoncé poses next to the Mona Lisa, various sculptures, and an Egyptian sphinx, emphasizing that their influence and relevance are on par with these iconic works of art. Bold move!
Adam Levine
Levine faced criticism for a lackluster performance at Chile’s Viña del Mar International Song Festival, which he dismissed as “a TV show, not a concert.” When the audience sang along to “She Will Be Loved,” he challenged them, saying, “Well, if you want to do my job, go ahead.”
Damon Albarn, the frontman of Gorillaz and Blur, has had conflicts with many musicians, notably during the infamous 90s rivalry with Oasis. More recently, his ego has led to disagreements with fellow British artists Lily Allen and Adele. Adele mentioned that Albarn called her “insecure” after their collaboration didn’t work out.
M.I.A. faced mockery and criticism when she mixed politics with her music, which she didn’t appreciate. In 2010, she reacted strongly to a New York Times article that described her as politically naive and hypocritical, tweeting, “F*** the New York Times.”
The Beatles, including Ringo Starr, get a pass for their egos, even if Ringo sometimes goes too far. In 2008, he declared he wouldn’t respond to any more fan mail because he “couldn’t be bothered.” Quite the humble approach!
D’Arcy Wretzky, the former bassist of Smashing Pumpkins, discussed her tough relationship with frontman Billy Corgan in the 90s. She revealed that Corgan would give her tapes of “at least 50 songs” but wouldn’t allow her to play any of them.
Arturo Pardavila III from Hoboken, NJ, USA via wiki
Morrissey, the former frontman of The Smiths, is known for being both self-obsessed and self-effacing. His inflated ego has led him into significant trouble over the years.
The late Lou Reed was far from the typical rockstar; he was honest and unfiltered, never pretending to like those he didn’t. In a notorious 2003 interview with Guardian journalist Simon Hattenstone, Reed’s offhand and harsh comments left Hattenstone in tears.
Does Axl Rose still not understand? It seems he still doesn’t grasp that he’s seen as an egomaniac. While most fans adore Guns N’ Roses for guitar hero Slash, Rose believes the band’s appeal lies solely with him—a major miscalculation.
Give a million dollars to any 14-year-old and label them the next Michael Jackson, and they’re bound to develop an ego. Nowadays, Justin Bieber seems to have calmed down, but we can’t forget those interrogation tapes and his incredibly smug responses.
If Henry Rollins ended every thought he shared about society with “But what do I know?”, we wouldn’t mind him as much. However, he makes bold statements, acting as if he’s the only one who can see through humanity’s flaws.
Gene Simmons is famous for his face paint and long tongue, but his ego deserves mention too. KISS often serves as a punchline in music, largely because Simmons acts as if they contributed something meaningful to the industry beyond a tired gimmick.
It’s no secret that Madonna has a big ego, and many of her fans find it appealing. From her *SEX* coffee table book to her grills and butt implants, she makes no effort to hide her larger-than-life persona. Truly a material girl!
Noel Gallagher’s self-proclaimed egomania doesn’t excuse his behavior; it can be quite insufferable to witness. There are numerous accounts of him belittling and bullying fellow musicians, overshadowing even the number of Oasis songs.
Rumor has it that Christina Aguilera has a less-than-stellar reputation behind the scenes. A 2016 insider report in OK! magazine described her as “incredibly rude and demanding,” claiming she treats her household staff poorly and keeps her team on a strict “24/7” schedule.
Nicki Minaj’s fragile ego was highlighted when freelance writer Wanna Thompson suggested she should create more mature content instead of “silly s**t.” Minaj retaliated by calling Thompson “ugly” and a “h**.” While she later tried to prevent her fans from attacking Thompson, the harm was already done.
Mariah Carey is often seen as a classic diva with a prominent ego. Her former colleague, Cedric Yarbrough, once described her as “unprofessional and borderline abusive” in a now-deleted Facebook post, showing that she doesn’t hide her diva behavior.
Giuliana Rancic from E! reported that Ariana Grande pushed her aside at the American Music Awards to ensure the cameras captured her best angle. Additionally, YouTuber and makeup artist James Charles labeled her as rude in an interview. With this behavior in mind, many might say, “Thank U, Next!” when it comes to Ariana.
During the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, Janet Jackson’s nipple was accidentally exposed, and Justin Timberlake appeared more focused on his own performance than supporting her. Later, Jackson expressed to Oprah Winfrey that she felt JT had “left her hanging” to some extent, which hurt because they had been friends.
Celine Dion has strict requirements when she’s in town. For instance, all rooms must be kept at 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and her large entourage needs to be catered to as well.
Ted Nugent may present himself as tough and old school, but he’s just as much of an egotist as any diva. Once, when he had a cold, he requested “man-sized Kleenex,” and he won’t travel without his preferred peanut butter or tuna.
Tommy Lee gained fame as the drummer for the legendary glam metal band Mötley Crüe and is known for his impressive drumming skills, including performing while spinning high in the air. It seems he has aspirations to be a frontman!
Joel Telling (http://www.joeltelling.com/) via wiki
Kanye West’s public persona has become so chaotic that it’s often unclear what he genuinely believes versus what he says for shock value. One thing is clear: his ego is immense, outgrowing even his Yeezys and oversized suits.
Once, Skid Row’s lead singer, Sebastian Bach, returned to his hometown and went to a few bars. At one venue, he tried to join a band that was performing, but when the venue refused him, he threw a tantrum and bit the security guard who tried to remove him.
Kid Rock’s persona is built around in-your-face, rebellious rock, so it’s no surprise that he has an ego. However, it often results in explosive behavior, like in 2007 when he got into a brawl with Tommy Lee at an awards show.
The legendary Prince touched countless lives with his groundbreaking music, but his ego was just as famous. Director Kevin Smith once shared a story about Prince asking for a camel to be delivered to his Minnesota home at 3am—and being baffled when it couldn’t happen.
Courtney Love, widow of Kurt Cobain, has built a reputation for her outspoken nature, often overshadowing others with her antics. A memorable moment occurred at the 1995 VMAs when she interrupted Madonna’s interview, turning the spotlight onto herself.
Radiohead has a loyal fanbase, but frontman Thom Yorke’s ego has been a point of criticism. He’s often seen as standoffish, with reports of him grunting or being dismissive toward fans seeking autographs or photos. Despite his musical genius, Yorke’s attitude can be hard to overlook for some.
John McCrea, the frontman of the alt-rock band Cake, isn’t as widely known as some other musicians, but he’s infamous for his onstage antics. He has a reputation for demanding audience participation, often throwing temper tantrums if the crowd doesn’t meet his expectations. It’s safe to say his ego sometimes overshadows his music.
Grace Jones, known for her bold personality and striking presence, has had her share of memorable public moments. In 1981, during a television talk show with Russell Harty, things took a dramatic turn when Jones began slapping Harty for paying attention to another guest instead of her. This infamous incident is a prime example of her unpredictable nature, which has made her both a fascinating and controversial figure.
John Mayer has certainly made headlines not only for his musical talents but also for his controversial statements over the years. Whether it was his casual admission of problematic views or his braggadocio about his romantic life, Mayer’s comments have often raised eyebrows. Despite this, his charm and talent have allowed him to continue in the spotlight, contributing to the sense that he’s been able to say and do things without facing significant consequences.
Pete Wentz’s ego has indeed made headlines, with fans sharing stories of his temper flaring up in unpleasant ways. Allegations like smashing a fan’s phone and pouring beer on another suggest moments where his fame and frustration clashed, resulting in behavior that fans certainly didn’t expect. These incidents paint a picture of the bassist’s more volatile side during his rise in the punk and emo scene with Fall Out Boy.
Chad Kroeger’s self-assured attitude has raised eyebrows over the years, particularly when he made bold claims like suggesting Stone Sour was trying to sound like Nickelback and even comparing himself to Queen. For someone fronting a band often ridiculed by critics, Kroeger’s inflated sense of importance has only fueled the perception that he might not be entirely self-aware. These comments show just how much confidence he has in Nickelback’s influence, even if it doesn’t always align with public opinion.
At a 2002 Ryan Adams concert, tensions flared when a fan jokingly requested *Summer of ’69*, a hit by Bryan Adams, whose name is often confused with Ryan’s. Ryan, known for his serious approach to his music, didn’t take the request lightly. In a dramatic turn, he gave the fan $30 for their ticket and insisted they leave, refusing to continue the show until the individual was escorted out. The moment has since become one of the more infamous examples of an artist reacting strongly to a seemingly harmless joke.
Katy Perry often presents a cheerful and friendly image to the public, but some accounts suggest that her behavior can change behind the scenes. For instance, one Reddit user recounted an experience at a “support the troops” event where Perry refused to shake hands with anyone, a claim that was corroborated by several Marines present. This incident highlights a contrast between her on-stage persona and her actions in less public settings.
Deadmau5, whose real name is Josh Zimmerman, has gained a reputation in the EDM scene for being confrontational and often insulting towards fans and other musicians. He has publicly criticized fellow DJs like Diplo, Skrillex, and the duo Jack Ü, displaying a lack of regard for their feelings or opinions. His behavior has led many to view him as bitter and immature.
50 Cent’s egotistical behavior often blinds him to the world around him. In May 2016, at a Cincinnati airport, he harassed and insulted a teen janitor, wrongly accusing him of being under the influence. The janitor was hearing impaired and autistic, highlighting 50 Cent’s insensitivity and lack of awareness.
Mike Love, often considered the least talented member of the Beach Boys, carries himself with an inflated sense of self-importance. He’s known for his short temper and has faced accusations of bullying bandmate Brian Wilson, the talented songwriter who has struggled with significant mental health issues.
Before his death in 2023, singer-songwriter David Crosby had alienated many, including former bandmates in The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Despite promoting peace and love in his music, Crosby was often seen as a self-important bully and had a reputation for being sexist.
At the 1975 Country Music Awards, country singer Charlie Rich was tasked with announcing the Entertainer of the Year award. When he revealed John Denver’s name, a crossover artist, Rich dramatically set the award envelope on fire right on stage.
Music’s Biggest Egos, According to Industry Insiders
Eduardo Gaskell
09.17.24
Egos have always existed, with history showcasing many individuals with inflated self-views. Today, they seem more prominent due to the commercialization of the arts. Musicians, often already arrogant, can become even more so with record deals, ticket sales, and global fame. When we hear the term “ego,” we usually think of artists we encounter daily on our phones and the radio, rather than athletes, chefs, or writers. Below is a list of music’s biggest egos.
Beyoncé
In 2018, Beyoncé and Jay-Z closed down the Louvre in Paris to film a music video. In the video, Beyoncé poses next to the Mona Lisa, various sculptures, and an Egyptian sphinx, emphasizing that their influence and relevance are on par with these iconic works of art. Bold move!