Top 20 Most Difficult Musicians to Work With

#20: Morrissey

Based on his outspoken nature, it probably comes as no surprise that hed be difficult to collaborate with. His petulant behavior was apparent back when The Smiths were still on the rise, including banning the usage of his government name in 1983. It escalated from there, even banning his bandmates from being seen eating meat. Eventually, his inability to compromise musically and his jealousy over members collaborating with other artists led to the band dissolving in 1987 with no chance of reuniting. Since then, he hasnt become any easier to work for. Between demanding that events he perform at offer only vegan options to his ex-manager coming forward about how hard he is to deal with, it seems that the problem has worsened with age.

#19: David Ruffin

The Temptations were pivotal in the world of R&B. Yet, their enjoyment of that success was dulled thanks to David Ruffin. As the lead singer on several of their biggest hits, the popularity quickly went to his head. He became dependent on cocaine, and missed both rehearsals and performances as a result. He also insisted on traveling separately from the band, opting to stay in a custom-made limo. To top it all off, he insisted that their name be changed to spotlight his own. His behavior became so egregious that he was kicked out in 1968 which didnt stop him from crashing their shows. Even when Ruffin was offered another chance, he squandered it by showing up late proving that old habits die hard.

#18: Captain Beefheart

Youd think a group known for absurdism would be all fun and games. For some of the members of Captain Beefhearts magic band, it was anything but. During the recording of Trout Mask Replica, their leader also known as Van Vliet revealed his dictatorial tendencies. He yelled at the others for hours on end before they finally broke down. He also limited their food intake, and even banned them from leaving their recording space. The abuse wasnt only emotional. Their drummer, John French, revealed in 2010 that he was beaten and thrown into walls if he didnt play fast enough. He even recalled being thrown down the stairs by Vliet following the albums completion luckily ending his time with them before he was killed.

#17: Bobby Brown

Sometimes, it takes aging to realize how difficult one was in their youth. Before embarking on his solo career, Bobby Brown was a founding member of the boy band New Edition. It wasnt long before things went awry. Allegedly, he felt that too much of the attention was being given to Ralph Tresvant leading to Brown acting out during performances in order to differentiate himself. He also took on a seductive manner in his performances, stressing out their management team in the process. He even confessed to showing up late or not at all to certain events. The group ended up reuniting for a tour in 2022, leading to Brown seriously reflecting on his actions as a young man and even admitting he was wrong.

#16: Jennifer Lopez

Some of these artists reputations may come as a surprise but others are entirely expected. Jennifer Lopezs alleged mistreatment of her staff has been circulated for some time, with the musician reportedly having several rules for them to follow at all times. From not allowing her staff to make eye contact to forcing them to speak to service workers for her, its clear what she thinks of those she deems below her. Shes even been known to fire people for ridiculous reasons including their astrological signs or for asking for an autograph. She may claim to be Jenny from the block, but its clear she stopped identifying with everyday people long ago.

#15: Justin Bieber

Becoming famous at a young age often means growing up with a skewed sense of the world. This was the case for Justin Bieber, whos been rumored to have extensive tour requirements. His requests for 2017 Mumbai performance were particularly egregious, with an alleged leaked rider revealing them. They ranged from refusing to use the roads and insisting that air travel be left on stand-by to having his team fly a ping-pong table there. Should the rumors be true, it would confirm that he wasnt afraid to use his star power to get what he wanted. It doesnt just end at valuable items a stint down the wrong path in his early 20s led to several personal and legal issues that impacted his career.

#14: Ozzy Osbourne

Well, thats one way to end an important meeting. It was clear from the very beginning of Ozzy Osbournes career that he wouldnt be a traditional client. During his Black Sabbath years, his inability to curb his drug use led to continued friction between them until he finally split ways with them in 1979. His outlandish behavior didnt stop there. When he signed his first solo deal in 1981, he commemorated the moment by biting the head off a dove. That same year, he reportedly urinated in an executives wine. He even drunkenly fired members of his band in 1982 following their refusal to perform Black Sabbath pieces. His talent is undeniable, but its clear that substances make him a nightmare to work with.

#13: Nicki Minaj

It makes sense that a performer known for her highly publicized fights wouldnt be the best employer. Dating back to the 2010s, Nicki Minaj has shown little regard for those she collaborates with. During her tenure on American Idol, she had a longstanding feud with Mariah Carey, who claimed to increase her security team in response. Minajs temper has reportedly been inflicted on employees, too, such as in a 2011 incident where she screamed at a facialist after they didnt do her eyebrows to her liking. In 2024, an ex-employee on the Pink Friday 2 tour filed a lawsuit, claiming that shed hit him several times. While the exact details have yet to be confirmed, its clear that this has been a pattern for her.

#12: Van Morrison

A person being immensely talented doesnt mean theyll be the best employer. As a musician, Van Morrisons legacy is set in stone. Yet, his disillusionment for fame has resulted in him continuously acting out over the years. Hes been known to be combative towards those interviewing him, both by being dismissive in several of his answers and by interrupting journalists to hound them for their accreditation. He wasnt just cross with those outside his bubble, it seems. Hes also been known to suddenly fire members of his band with little to no warning, making every day of working for him a proverbial landmine to navigate.

#11: Madonna

Would anyone expect anything different from one of pops biggest divas? Throughout her career, Madonnas been known for both talent and controversy the latter being evidenced by her history as an employer. Some have asserted she charged performers $100 for every minute they were late, while others have alleged to not being fully paid. The most damning incident was three dancers suing her following the release of Madonna: Truth or Dare, a documentary about the 1990 Blonde Ambition tour. They claimed to have been exploited and their privacy invaded to which the star apparently told them to get over it. It was settled in 1994, but jokes Madonna made revealed how little she cared. That behavior is unacceptable no matter how many bops you have.

#10: Eagles

By the late '70s the Eagles were as legendary for their internal conflicts as they were for keeping it mellow and taking it easy. Much, if not all, the power in the band was held by Glenn Frey and Don Henley, and this translated into conflict for lead guitarist Don Felder, especially with Frey. At a concert in July 1980 the tension came to a head, with Frey taking offence to a comment Felder made backstage, threatening him with physical violence throughout the show, and effectively ending the band soon after. Regrouping in the '90s, old tensions came back now motivated by contractual and legal matters which resulted in Felder's eventual dismissal.

#9: Young Thug

Atlanta Rapper Young Thug has become notorious for not being where hes supposed to be. He had a lawsuit filed against him for no shows most notably non-concerts in Texas and New York in 2016, the latter of which triggered a $360,000 suit. Thug also, famously, declined to take part in his own video, leaving its director to creatively work around his absence and include the few ideas Thug presented. The rapper does briefly appear in his Wyclef Jean video, but only in footage he supplied himself as he refused to get out of his car after arriving on set 10 hours late.

#8: Eddie Van Halen

Friction, like whammy bar dive bombs and tapping, have long been a Van Halen mainstay. Aside from bouts of alcoholism, guitarist Edward Van Halen is known for bad-mouthing other band members. On/off lead singer David Lee Roth said Ed had a completely different creative vision than himself, with Roth preferring poppier material. This rift was enough for EVH to construct his own recording studio and make music with minimal input of other band members. Roth's former replacement Sammy Hagar has also been open about the difficulties and lack of chemistry with Ed, while ousted original bass player Michael Anthony has been characteristically mum about it.

#7: Gene Simmons

Its no surprise why Gene Simmons is known as The Demon. Best known as the bassist and occasional vocalist with Kiss, Simmons is also widely known for his right-wing political views, infamous womanizing, and obnoxious language. His infamous ego, meanwhile, makes people so frustrated that they shy away from being around him, wife Shannon Tweed for example. Shes walked out during interviews to avoid listening to him speak, while NPR interviewer Terry Gross has described him as nothing more than obnoxious. Long story short, on stage or off, Simmons isn't the most fun to be around.

#6: Mariah Carey

The OG of pop divas, singer Mariah Carey is infamous for her unusual demands and nitpicky attitude. Regarding her cameo in The House, comedian Rob Huebel described her as impossible to work with, saying Carey made a huge fuss about not wanting to sing the song she was paid to and also not wanting her character to get killed by bullets, but instead deflect bullets like Wonder Woman. Elsewhere, her famous feud with fellow American Idol judge Nicki Minaj resulted in Carey not returning to the program. Carey expected to be the sole female judge, and was threatened by Minaj's addition, and the two clashed on and off camera.

#5: Roger Waters

Some people cant handle giving up their perceived power. After Syd Barretts sudden exit from Pink Floyd, Roger Waters took it upon himself to lead them artistically. This meant turning away from their psychedelic era and instead forming them into something more political. He helmed their musical output, taking more creative control with each album. This led to him butting heads with the other members, and eventually their disagreements led to him parting ways. However, his desire for control didnt end there. He took his former bandmates to High Court, insisting that they should break up and not perform under their name. While hes regretted his behavior in recent years, it nearly led to the end of one of Englands most iconic groups.

#4: Noel & Liam Gallagher

Oasis's front siblings are infamous for their inability to get along and have settled disputes by throwing fruit, using instruments as weapons, filing lawsuits, and generally harassing another. This tumultuous work environment eventually led to Noel leaving the band in 2009, and Oasis folding following a last minute cancelled appearance at the V Festival in Chelmsford, England. But it's not just a sibling rivalry, as aside from the brothers, no original band members made it to the end of the ride. The band's first drummer Tony McCarroll, meanwhile, claimed to have been shafted on royalties, equipment funds, and fired due to personality conflicts with the Gallaghers.

#3: Kanye West

Kanye is legendary for his inflated ego and mistreatment of others. A former bodyguard said it was easier to look after Wests daughter than the rapper himself. His toddler-like attitude also made him a burden on the set of Anchorman 2, with West blasting his music on set, refusing to turn it down for filming, showing up on days he wasnt scheduled to perform and refusing to leave. Other ventures are also a complicated affair with West's involvement, as it took two years for designer Jean Touitou to create only three items for one of the rappers clothing collections because Kanye couldnt make up his mind.

#2: Syd Barrett

Pink Floyd's original band leader was often as baffling as the band's early material. A life complicated by schizophrenia and rampant drug use caused him to become an unreliable and difficult person to work with. Prior to parting ways, Barrett would often seemingly forget songs, or stare into the stage lights and detune his guitar while the band attempted to play around him. During a rehearsal, Barrett trolled the group with an ever changing composition called Have You Got It Yet?, which, predictably, they did not. Due to his unpredictable nature, David Gilmour was brought into the fold as a support guitarist and vocalist, and ultimately Syd's replacement.

#1: Axl Rose

On a number of occasions Rose has provoked fans to riot, so its hard to imagine him respecting the people he works with from Steven Adler to Slash. Rose is notorious for being flaky, having once showed up late to a concert because he was watching Ninja Turtles II, and his antics were partly to blame for the 1992 riot in Montreal. With the release of the long discussed, much delayed Chinese Democracy, Rose stopped answering requests and phone calls by his record label, failed to contribute to the promotion of the album, and was later sued by former band manager Irving Azoff for unpaid fees.

Which musician do you think would be a nightmare to collaborate with? Let us know in the comments below!