10 Music SCANDALS Covered Up for Years

It took years or even decades for these music scandals to see the light of day. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the most shocking music scandals that stayed under wraps for years. Our countdown of music scandals that were covered up for years includes Britney Spears’ Conservatorship, Jimmy Savile’s Misconduct, Diddy’s Abuse Allegations, and more! Which long-buried industry secret shocked you the most? Let us know in the comments below!
Watch more great videos about scandals here:
Top 20 Celeb Scandals Everyone Forgot Happened: • Top 20 Celeb Scandals ...
20 Career Finishing Scandals: • 20 Career Finishing Sc...
Top 20 Shocking Kids Show Scandals: • Top 20 Shocking Kids S...
Become a channel member to get access to special perks:
/ @watchmojo
Don't forget to play our Live Trivia games at 3pm EST for a chance to win cash! The faster you answer, the more points you get!: www.watchmojo....
Have your idea become a video!
wmojo.com/suggest
Subscribe for more great content!
wmojo.com/watc...
Visit our shop for awesome merch!
shop.watchmojo...
Your trusted authority for Top 10 lists, reviews, tips and tricks, biographies, origins, and entertainment news
#Music
#Scandals
#CoverUp
#History
#Crime
#Allegations
#Diddy
#RKelly
#BritneySpears
#Pop

[@WatchMojo]

Which long-buried industry secret shocked you the most? Let us know in the comments below! For more content like this, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKjFlWOwapaIatU Play our Daily Point Battles to earn MojoPoints and qualify for CASH BATTLES! Check it out: WatchMojo.com/play

[@whitleysdollhouse877]

All of them

[@zodiacmartnio7256]

P diddy

[@satisfied656]

For me disgusting turd #JimmySaville was the worst of them all! His crimes spanned over 40 yrs and involved hundreds if not thousands of victims,...and the worst of all: he didn´t pay for his crimes and was a "honoured public figure" till the end!

[@hensonlaura]

Seeing the logo for Dick Clark Productions on the wall behind Diddy makes me wonder what happened to the fortune of Dick Clark and who has his assets now?

[@dashiajames1882]

The Britney Spears one...!!

[@Auron12786]

R Kelly’s career should’ve ended when he “married” Aaliyah

[@aceassn716]

Thank you!!!

[@KLAdams-vl8on]

Wild thing about Diddy is, if you watched Making the Band, his behavior towards humans is front & center

[@helenhamilton9561]

@@KLAdams-vl8on Very Much So As Long As They Monster The Music Industry Had Made Was Handing Them Profits, and They Felt They Had Control Over Him. But The Greedy Monster's Ego Grew and Grew and He Used Tactics/Methods They Taught Him To Use On Artists. When He Started Using Those Methods on White People of Power . Now The Big Bad Monster Needs To Be Taken Down. "Ding Dong The Wicked Witch Is Dead". Or Will Soon Go Down.

[@dashiajames1882]

Good evening: He is sooooo arrogant, phony and entitled. He literally acts like he untouchable and invincible. But he's very predictable and transparent.

[@SamariaDriscoll]

I used to watch some of Making The Band 4, not knowing about Diddy’s attitude until later.

[@tateloop1015]

How did you not include Lostprophets? Ian Watkins makes everyone else on this list look like a saint in comparison

[@ZakMason10]

Was that covered up? I can’t recall and don’t really wanna have to read up on it again

[@jekw23]

@@ZakMason10I don’t think it was so much actively covered up as no one called it out for ages. Watkins wasn’t particularly careful

[@carltonvonhammerstein]

​@@jekw23Particularly careful?! He was grossly open about it. The password to his computer was "if*ckkidslol." And when he was asjed why he did it, he said it was for the "mega lols."

[@thegenericnerdking]

Ian hardly hid it

[@satisfied656]

For me disgusting turd #JimmySaville was the worst of them all! His crimes spanned over 40 yrs and involved hundreds if not thousands of victims,...and the worst of all: he didn´t pay for his crimes and was a "honoured public figure" till the end!

[@nintendolife25]

Man, Diddy sure fell from grace. Only God knows how long his scandal has been going on.

[@user-yk4qt2bs5y]

Since the 90s lol

[@TheVitamin421]

gosh Phil Spector was scary, looking like a straight up psychopath

[@kamsismith]

Is the Diddy docuseries still happening? I'm only asking because it seems like there are more stories about Diddy that keep popping up every day.

[@cobrakaicyberdon]

There is a tmz documentary about diddys allegations. Where they speak to some high profile people, and "alleged" victims, about his behaviour/crimes. I didn't watch it all, because its always been known to me, that diddy was doing nasty stuff, especially to women, but also men. But there is definitely a documentary tmz did this year. Hope that helps. If its not on tmz channel. I think they did it in conjuction with peacock, or one of the streaming sites. Peacock I think. But you'll find it if you put in tmz diddy documentary. ✌️💯

[@kamsismith]

@@cobrakaicyberdonI saw that and it was basically common Diddy knowledge. 50 Cent is planning on making a Diddy docuseries for Netflix.

[@cobrakaicyberdon]

@@kamsismith That's right. 50 want's to call it , "diddy do it" 50 be petty 😆 . But yh I think hes waiting for all the stuff to go through the courts. And he will release it. Apparently he's working on it now. I think lionsgate wants to buy the rights. But U know 50. He's always falling out with people. It was initially going to be on starz. But 50, has left starz, or is after the next season of power, and hes signed up with lionsgate now. I suppose it'll end up on one of the streaming platforms. I think there is another documentary out aswell. But because none of it has gone through the courts. They can't go all out. So it's not saying anything New. After diddy is charged , and subpoenaed and it goes to trial, or whatever happens. Thats when the more in depth Doc's will come out IMO. 😎💯

[@satisfied656]

For me disgusting turd #JimmySaville was the worst of them all! His crimes spanned over 40 yrs and involved hundreds if not thousands of victims,...and the worst of all: he didn´t pay for his crimes and was a "honoured public figure" till the end!

[@aroace_priestess]

We need to hold celebrities to a higher standing. Their platforms are far too large for them to get away with such predatory behavior. Society will turn a blind eye to evil if they're "talented" enough. "He's an abusive predator-but he made pretty sounds, so I'll ignore it."

[@BisolaAdebija]

@@aroace_priestess well, sometimes just because they are famous doesn't mean that they can do whatever they want. These celebrities just think that they can get away with all the disgusting and horrible things they do just because of their influence 🙄

[@LarrySwishamane]

did u pay any attention at all to this video?

[@mechelle230]

Who is we , cause im not holding anyone to a higher standard. They put their clothes on one piece at a time just like we do. They know right from wrong just like regular folks…🙄

[@aroace_priestess]

@@LarrySwishamane Sure did. What's your issue with my comment?

[@aroace_priestess]

@@mechelle230 I'm sorry-how does your comment negate anything I've said? You misinterpreted my words, and now wish to argue. WE, as a society, need to hold these celebrities to a higher standing due to their larger platforms. So far, we've known about some of their horrific crimes, but society has ignored them because they believe in separating the artist from the art. If a celebrity is talented, people won't care about their predatory behavior-they'll allow them to get away with it. For years, we've known about R Kelly, yet, has many defenders. Why is that? "He makes pretty sounds, so I'll ignore it. Plus, those women put themselves in that position." That way of thinking isn't right. Far too many people turn a blind eye to this, so I'm saying we need to hold them to a higher standard than we've already been doing. I'm well aware that celebrities are ordinary beings. The thing is, when a celebrity commits a crime, people will defend their actions because they like the celebrity as an artist. Would our society do that for non-celebrities? No, they'd be scrutinized. WE, as a society, need to do better. I don't know you, so my usage of the word "WE" isn't a personal attack.

[@zodiacmartnio7256]

Puff daddy and R Kelly are terrible

[@ajx2956]

Yea

[@helenhamilton9561]

Allegedly JayZ is right up there with the Diddler and R Kelly.

[@limack4055]

@@helenhamilton9561 waiting for that info to come out

[@honorableatalltimes3579]

So we’re not gonna talk about Harvey Weinstein and Jeffery Epstein and countless other white men

[@jessrosefawkes2721]

@@helenhamilton9561that does not surprise me at all. I can honestly see jay z up there with the worst xx

[@phyarth8082]

Phill Specter in old age looks same as Nosferatu.

[@ailsasublett9885]

Nah. Nosferatu looks better.

[@cruzmizzl]

Heard Diddy's putting together his last single ever titled- "R. Kelly's My Cellie" on 'FBI Records'. Album: "Crucified in '25" not complete, waiting on colabs w/JLo, n JayZ.

[@Jaded_underrated]

JLo pretending to sing

[@Rockas360]

That's nothing compared to the rest of these people

[@user-yk4qt2bs5y]

Lol

[@breeharris9437]

That's a good one

[@aceassn716]

We still dont know her Mariah Carey Brandy Ashanti Christina Milian Would love for that song to be made by those ladies

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

God only knows how long Diddy has been doing everything he's done.

[@brianbaker2455]

Forgot about Hootie and the Blowfish, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the concert in California where Hell's Angels provided security and killed an attendee. I think it's Altimont.

[@PrincessofPower84]

What did Hootie and the Blowfish do?

[@arvurebantra7639]

@@PrincessofPower84 There was never an actual Blowfish in the band

[@brianbaker2455]

@@PrincessofPower84 one of the members had child porn and went to jail. The rest of the band broke up because of it and the lead singer went country.

[@RyanRoemer8624]

​@@arvurebantra7639lmfao 😂

[@ThyraM1212]

​@@PrincessofPower84normal stuff, had drugs.

[@daydreamcomedianne]

Phil Spector's influence was big, especially in the 70s, and people even knew about it then. There's this really underrated movie called the Phantom of the Paradise, a musical that's critical about the music industry, and the main villain is basically Phil Spector. Paul Williams, a major singer-songwriter who was extremely active in the 70s plays him, and even though he looks nothing like Phil Spector, it's clear he's supposed to be embodying him with just oozing ickiness. Like he likely dealt with him firsthand, or had friends who dealt with him, and it must have been so cathartic to play him. I remember in the mid-2000s the Boondocks called out R Kelly with "The Trial of R Kelly." Like they pulled no punches. Even then it was an open secret.

[@AKking27]

Remember r Kelly and p diddy sang a song called satisfy you

[@SamariaDriscoll]

I remember

[@hayeonkim7838]

Thanks for meaningful and informative information

[@Jeremiah_Rivers76]

Pop Princess Britney Spears may now be free, as she has been for a few years, but at what cost? Jamie Spears should be ashamed of himself for letting her conservatorship go on as long as it did.

[@aceassn716]

Still no new album out yet The powers that be had used them cast them to the side like many others onto their next victims

[@johnnytimestamp8224]

0:04 you're telling me thats not Bill Hader?!! sure.

[@kathykb8123]

Lmao

[@mels1921]

😂😂😂😂

[@dylanlarson4658]

Bumpin’ R Kelly’s favorite group, the Black Guy Pees

[@mr.mealldaylong8013]

This could've been a TOP 20 LIST yo 😮

[@phantomrequim]

I always felt P. Diddy was a little creepy but damn-who knew he was worse than R. Kelly!

[@corymorimacori1059]

“Your music is like the soundtrack to a vasectomy!” Freddie Mercury

[@aubreynorton4470]

First things first, we all knew about P.Diddy and R.Kelly misconducts since the late 80s, early 90s. People were so taken up with their fame, glamour and music to pay close attention. Whatsoever is in the dark will come to light. Justice will always prevail.

[@tylergoodman3560]

You think you know some people. 🎉

[@andrewhaase1826]

It's always hard separating art from its creator. Especially when they were responsible for such amazing music.

[@rosajessica7405]

God! Lou Perlman makes me sick after seeing and hearing what he did to Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, and Aaron Carter (RIP), but the most scandal stories that left me disgusted with anger and disappointment are P. Diddy and R. Kelly! What they did to those women (R. Kelly), especially Cassie (P. Diddy), absolutely disgusted me and made me lose all my respect for them!

[@ronibopshop]

Don't forget the boys, R Kelly had a young man testify at his trial.

[@rosajessica7405]

@@ronibopshop seriously? What did he do?

[@marcusvachon845]

Lou Perlman, the man that single handedly destroyed R&B. I have chosen to disregard the R&B that this horrible person created.

[@josh72456]

I knew about Britney Spears, Jimmy Saville, Gary Glitter and R Kelly.

[@BisolaAdebija]

Sometimes, all these celebrities we admire and see as role models, we don't know their true face.

[@101shadeira]

I don’t worship no one

[@shaliseshaw9385]

Waiting for: Top 20 Retired Disney Park Walk-around characters You Don't See At Disney's California Adventure, Walt Disney World, and other Disney Parks Anymore, Top 30 Retired Disney Park Attractions And Shows(Tarzan Rocks, Disneyland Is Your Land, Citizens Of Hollywood, Camp Minnie Mickey, Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends, Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade, Honey, I Shrunk The Audience! Captain EO, Cranium Command, Pleasure Island, Legend Of The Lion King, etc.), Top 10 Six Flags Roller Coasters, Top 20 Rainforest Cafe Menu Items, Top 20 Extinct Universal Studios Rides and Shows, Top 20 Animal Planet Shows, Top 20 Changes To PBS Kids That Made Fans Rage Quit, etc. 📺📺📺📺

[@Gor85]

They're despicable. Especially Lou Perlman,Phil Spector,P Diddy(who would thought?),R Kelly(he made that legendary song I believe I can fly).Disgusting bad people. Evil. Good riddance, Good video

[@deltamovieshd9255]

The entertainment industry, especially music, is a very dark and corrupt industry. Many, many singers and musicians get screwed over, even the A-listers. But the filth that happens behind the scenes is truly criminal, yet protected to this day.

[@Animeguy300]

Never meet your hero

[@patrickoehlke9984]

Got to meet one my heroes, Rob Zombie! He was AWESOME!

[@geminiacleo7ewe]

I found that out

[@BisolaAdebija]

Yh. Sometimes, we don't know their true face.

[@BisolaAdebija]

​@patrickoehlke9984 I want to meet my favorite K-pop groups

[@irvinhuerta-fe2uw]

Cause you'll end up meeting the villains

[@zanethind]

That temporary conservatorship was bull. I am glad after so many years Britney got freedom after 13 yrs and finally had all of her money that she earned, back to her. She also seems responsible finally after so many years

[@JakeT89]

When Jay-Z 'REALLY' met Beyonce? Or his whole thing with Foxy Brown?! He's next to be outted surely. Or David Bowie with Lori Mattix/Maddox !!

[@aroace_priestess]

Thing is, people know of these things-they just don't care. Many people know about the Bowie issue, but they'd prefer to separate the art from the artist. They'll defend predatory people if they're talented enough.

[@JakeT89]

​@@aroace_priestess 100%!! Even gave him a knighthood. I've been saying for years, Bowie, Diddy, Jay-z, Drake and Tyga will all get their time🙏🤞

[@satisfied656]

Jeez🙄...Lori Madox was a world famous groupie who travel behind the bans and slept with most of the rock-stars of this era😐 so this isn´t "abuse" like with all the other celebrities in this video, a bit rich, isn´t it?🤔

[@JakeT89]

@satisfied656 what's rich about it? And because of her age at the time it's abuse, plain and simple!!! People like you that defend these predators are part of the problem! How would you feel if it was your daughter?! She was like 13-14 at the time ffs!!

[@helenhamilton9561]

@@JakeT89 What's the story with Lori M.?

[@SilverSpectre266]

I wasnt around at the time, so I never heard about Gary Glitter. Did some research, and man this guys case is wild, and its crazy how someone like him is just able to walk around so freely. Mind you, even in his speech in the video he says "I deeply regret what I was sent to prison for". As in, I regret I was caught, and luckily theres more they dont know about. Man. This dude seriously has a problem. Just going through his history is insane. Hes been banned from at least 19 countries for repeated acts after the fact, and even when almost facing death by firing squad in Vietnam if he was convicted he still continue after the fact. How was this guy not under constant supervision and someone keep tabs on him absolutely 24/7? How was he just able to walk freely so often and able to pick and choose when and where he left a country, even refusing to board police escort planes back to the UK? Double back between providences. This guy had some insane behind the scenes pull.

[@zanethind]

F Elvis's manager. His manager basically killed his career and kept him under secrecy too. Elvis could never perform outside of the US too. And right up until his death you could tell his health would be declining and he was not in shape at all. He even seemed tired performing but kept on performing. His manager was a brutal and cruel person

[@TheMrtgamer]

Payola is still happening today, it just takes different forms... It's why internet radio (Pandora, Spotify) were started, before record labels started limiting available catalogs Payola today includes giving radio stations tickets for giveaways in exchange for playing the artist/bands involved

[@cliffpadilla5871]

I still think that payola is still going on.

[@msoi215]

If people truly think that R. Kelly is in prison for the crimes he was convicted of, then they got another thing coming

[@lesliewells-ig5dl]

Do you mean he's not in prison or he's not in prison for what he did to these poor girls and women? If not, what is really in prison for?

[@AJ-lu3wx]

6:20 Glad Dana Carvey only looked like him.

[@megalon73]

One who should be on this list is, marilyn manson. that guy really did live up the image on his music. an abusive man who took way to many advantage young girls and woman.

[@dashiajames1882]

Good evening: Ummmm these celebrities always trying to find way to cover their crazy scandals up. Wonder what else ppl covering up. That Britney Spears issue was crazy. I'm glad it's over. Well all those scandals were crazy. Yall forgot J-lo lying about singing, Mariah Carey & Tommy Matola, Kanye West & T. Swift. Goodnight world...!!

[@marcus813]

Before the aughts, the only dirt I heard about R. Kelly was his illegal marriage to the late Aaliyah. I didn't know any details about that until well after the turn of the century. Knowing what we know about him now, I can't listen to his music anymore or even the title track from Aaliyah's debut album.

[@reggiefurlow1]

Payola is still in effect

[@danielhaines7366]

No Ian Watkins, shame on you the man’s is a monster. Some of the things are on this list seem trivial compared to what he put individuals through.

[@brandonwise2636]

Let's Not Forget the Billboard Top Song " Piss on you ..." by R .Kelly

[@LarryRobinsonintothefog]

Didn't know about Gary Glitter, but knew about others. The musical genius of Spector and Chuck Berry hid their depravity for a while

[@ronibopshop]

Wait Chuck Berry?

[@LarryRobinsonintothefog]

@@ronibopshop Chuck Berry was a musical genius but also did bad stuff.

[@Destro615]

Seems a little too careful not to mention the "secrets." 🤔

[@cameronjr8]

Top 10 Anime Actor Scandals please.

[@CandiceVidito]

I still enjoy some of these artists music cause I separate the artist from the music.

[@CourtneyPielok]

I miss Britney 😞

[@Deroliebe]

WHY do these institutions continue to protect these men? The victims will not ever feel justice.

[@MsBadJedi]

Seungri tarnished Big Bang's legacy, ruined lives and disappointed a lot of fans.

[@BeastfromthesoutheasT]

Yeah, Britney needs to be placed back INTO a conservatorship ASAP she is clearly not well...just maybe not with her dad.

[@Gracitagouv]

R. Kelly: Do you have ure passport, did you get ure shots........

[@sundeepsingh1094]

I still can’t believe they put Garry Glitters song into joker

[@junkstapossession5822]

Including Elvis' drug use but not all the kids he graped. 🙄

[@DanniSoRude]

Priscilla was 14 when they met .... He was 24! Just like Jerry Lee Lewis marrying his 13 yr old cousin when he was 22 🤢🤬

[@JacionBryant]

Facts

[@fancyhermit7]

People will despise you when they know the real you

[@lesliewells-ig5dl]

There's lots of people who we can know thoroughly and find no depravity at all.

[@clareofarrellwilliams2958]

Did you really have to play the music, I am going to have to find a palate cleanser now, :-( .

[@introvertsrock9843]

A woman accused Diddy's son of abuse too Wonder how much his exes to his 7 kids (age 32 to 11 mos) were paid to stay quiet (one died...disease)

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Michael Jackson - Surviving Neverland..there isn't enough closets in the world to hide all his skeletons.

[@sam041390]

Leaving Neverland is a scam just to get rich off an innocent man who can't defend himself. Robson and Safechuck are liars

[@bronzin1445]

You mean that slanderous “documentary” that’s being charged with libel?

[@aliyahwilson863]

You people believe all those lies in that documentary or mockumentary, because that's what it really is. If you don't believe me, look up the lies of Leaving Neverland.

[@mikec6678]

It would put a smile on my face knowing that some of the people on this list were tried, convicted, sent to prison, put in general population and fed to the wolves. It saddens me that in some of these cases, the last 2 things on my list most likely won't happen 😢😢

[@CourtneyPielok]

Ian Watkins

[@keithcampbell5150]

Shocked Michael Jackson wasn’t mentioned…

[@blackdragon6]

Payola definitely didn't die after the 50s 😂, and Puff dirt wasn't really THAT covered up, people just didn't care. R. Kelly was ALMOST the same way until activists finally brought him down.

[@BethelAbba]

You put R Kelly at #1..... and didn't even mention Michael Jackson?????? Shame on you, WatchMojo, shame on you.

[@Hurts2BHumanX]

How did Michael Jackson not make this list?

[@bubz3t136]

It's amazing how much Donald Trump looks like Elvis, and nobody ever talks about it.

[@zachwalker522]

*Further* "money will always go further."

[@dmr4450]

Wait! R. Kelly's abuse of Aaliyah (hope I spelled that right). Where were HER parents in all this?

[@hoyesmartesx]

i don’t know if this counts , but kesha versus dr. luke.

[@The-Truth-Bomb]

R Kelly deserves to be locked up for the rest of his life, but I feel like the parents of his victims should also be punished....

[@JacionBryant]

Diddy r Kelly

[@Illadelphia]

Payola is not gone… Stations were paid to play Beyoncé. This was confirmed by those who were contacted by jayz

[@Pure_Dog]

Taylor swift and Katy Perry

[@K12127]

Only ten? I’m sure you could do a million of these 🤣

[@Gary-xc7tx]

Diddy was accused of crimes several decades previously?

[@bubz3t136]

I don't think that Asian woman at the start knows what the word "literally" means.

[@carrioncrow13]

How is Ian Watkins not here?

[@DonRoccoRicardo]

Just starting this video, if they don't mention Michael Jackson, I'm out... As should everyone else be.

[@aluap26]

Jimmy Savile "misconduct" ??? Wrong word for what he did!!! You should really watch the documentary 😔☹

[@octaviosanchez1051]

Do top 10 mondomedia shows

[@christopherunfus8962]

P Diddy. What a creepy name!

[@honorableatalltimes3579]

So yall bring up diddy allegations but not tim allen and elvis being with underage women ? Watch mojo is racist

[@Pure_Dog]

🗣️FACTS!!!!

[@tracypytlakowski1459]

0:00 Lea pytlakowski

[@sidsin7538]

Bill hader and Gary Glitter look very similar

[@ShirtOffShorti]

No Harvey?

[@tequillaross6237]

What about artists not owning their master

[@CrimsonNineTail]

What did Kat Williams say again?

[@nicolamarchbank1846]

There's a part 2 in here

[@CammyCone]

Considering how payola is illegal, how can tiktok get away with paid promoting? Itd be fine if I were getting played already, but I only get 10 or so views

[@johnjames7332]

The Brits representing.

[@manoftheusajones5147]

TOP 10 Ugliest Robots

[@phwoarnado5584]

Not one mention of Jackson? It's messed up how many people still defend him to this day.

[@grayj7441]

Payola still exists

[@ellenfern7380]

With R Kelly this wasn't just all his fault, it's the parents let their child live with him and be with him and when they knew they could get money that's when they said what they did is wrong but what the parents did was really wrong as well.

[@dakkuri1]

Everyone shocked about all these musicians be a bad boy or bad girl behaviors. There are managers their agents their owners their handlers their assistance they all knew what is assholes were doing and let them continue to do all this stuff as long as they provide the money

[@racpatrice]

I think Jay-Z and Beyonce will evemtually be added to an updated list like this.