Top 10 Artists Who Have Lost their Mojo

There’s only so much Mojo to go around, but these musically-inclined individuals need a quick fix. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Musical Artists Who Have Lost TheirMojo.

For this list, we’re focusing on musicians, musical acts or performing artists who are slowly becoming irrelevant. Some are former stars, and some have topped the charts in recent years, but what they have in common is a severe loss of Mojo, which can be devastating to one’s career.

Blame it on label disputes, death hoaxes or even that purple drank, but something has put this Cash Money Millionaire on the disabled list for far too long. It’s not that Lil Wayne hasn’t been selling records, no, he’s quite all right in that department. But let’s be honest, nobody wants to hear their favorite rapper bickering in the press about money, especially one who’s a millionaire. Just make some music, Weezy, and put it out there. Drop the alien and Christ-figure obsession and come back to earth. Please. We beg you.

The Canadian pop punk rockers Simple Plan must have taken a wrong turn somewhere just past 2011. After all, it’s been several years since the release of the horribly titled “Get Your Heart On!,” and all we really want is for Simple Plan to pick up their damn guitars and make a song (ahem)… a good song. It doesn’t have to be “perfect”, nothing “crazy” either, and no it doesn't need a featured guest on; just strip it down old school and let it “save you”. It’s a simple enough plan, no?

Yeah, yeah…we know. It sees like this woman has long been a staple of reality TV as a judge on NBC’s “The Voice,” but ask yourself this: can you name her last good song? No Doubt has released exactly one album since 2001, and we’re not even sure anybody knew about it given the record sales. Furthermore, YouTube was a barely a thing the last time Gwen Stefani released a solo album. So, what’s the deal? We get it, we get it – family and raising children is important, but not as important as giving the people what they want. We need that new music, Gwen, so hook us up.

For ten solid years, this California hip-hop ensemble ruled the charts and even performed at the 2011 Super Bowl halftime show, and then... what? DidWill.i.am get lost somewhere? Don’t phunk with our heart, Black Eyes Peas, and you know what we’re talking about. After all, the music of the Black Eyes Peas IS filled with positive messages of endurance, but somehow they’re not taking their own advice. Can someone drive out to North Dakota and find Fergie? Is that what happened? Did we lose “The Dutchess” to the oil fields?

With all due respect to Bono and the accomplishments of U2… what happened? Sure we all got their 2014 album, but none of us actually wanted it in the first place. Somehow the once innovative U2 have lost their mojo while simultaneously becoming a band of the past. It hurts just to say that, but it’s true. We know they're busy saving the world and all but is it too much to ask for the boys not to take their shades off and find their way to the damn studio? It'll be a beautiful day when these Irish eyes are smiling once more.

Remember that band, Met-al-a-something-er-rather? Remember how they used to drop a new album every three years or so? But then “James” “Hetfield” approached his 30s and began producing children rather than licks, and Metallica’s studio output has subsequently taken a dive, with only two new studio albums this millennium – so far. Their last release, “Death Magnetic” topped nearly every international chart back in 2008 - but fans are becoming restless with all the “talk” of a new album, only to be let down year after year. It’s not that Metallica have gone into hiding exactly, but they seem to have lostthat sweet, sweet mojo.

Undeniably a pop superstar from 2002 to 2007 due to her three #1 albums, Avril Lavigne seemed to have slowed the pace down when she was only 23 years old. After a four year stall, “Goodbye Lullaby” was released in 2011, and while it sold rather well, it was clear Lavigne’s popularity wasn’t what it used to be. Incidentally, her 2013 self-titled album was generally well-received, but the commercial sales once again slipped, so maybe it’s time for Avril to adapt to the evolving music industry and produce some really fresh material. However, we will concede that health DOES come first.

Ok, this pick may come as a surprise given the endurance of the Chili Peppers, but hey – Anthony Kiedis has reached his 50s, and though he’s perfectly capable of maintaining his rock star image, everybody knows those knees must be getting weak. All joking aside, new music is a rare thing these days, and it’s now becoming four or five years between new Chili Pepper releases. What gives? If these guys want to maintain their legacy and their fan base, well, then it’s time to pony up and fill up the tank.

We hate to break it to you Weezer fans, but their record sales continue to get weaker and weaker. For whatever reason, the band has been in commercial decline since the 2005 release of “Make Believe.” Maybe it was because Rivers Cuomo set his guitar down. Maybe it was because Patrick Wilson picked it up. Let’s be clear: these guys can still play, however the truth is that younger fans aren’t paying attention. Maybe they need to hook up with Pharrell or something. That seems to work for people these days.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

- The Strokes

- Toby Keith

- Jewel

- Linkin Park

- Mariah Carey

- Green Day

It seems strange now, but once upon a time people couldn't get enough Limp Bizkit. Why? Perhaps it was the bad boy antics of Fred Durst or the fact that everybody was TALKING about Fred Durst, but now it seems Limp Bizkit was a product of their time and that time has passed. It's possible another album will bring some…credibility. But then, even with Wes Borland very much back in the fold, a return to glory does seem a bit unlikely, mostly because we’ll likely get the same tired, non-biodegradable and recycled product. It’s all about the mojo.

Do you agree with our list? Which musical artist do you think has lost his or hermojo? For more mind-blowing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.