MomSkoop
Have you ever wondered what happened to your favorite singers after they stopped making hits? Some musicians walk away from fame at the height of their careers, while others fade quietly into the background.
Their reasons are as varied as their music—from personal struggles to creative burnout, family priorities to simply wanting a normal life. This article explores the fascinating stories behind twelve artists who left the spotlight and the surprising paths they chose instead.
1. Lauryn Hill
After releasing one of the most celebrated albums in hip-hop history, Lauryn Hill seemingly vanished from the music scene. Her 1998 masterpiece “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” earned her five Grammy Awards and worldwide acclaim. But the pressure of fame proved overwhelming.
Hill struggled with the exploitation she felt in the music industry and wanted to protect her artistic integrity. She also chose to focus on raising her six children away from the media circus. Though she occasionally performs live, she never released another full studio album.
Her decision puzzled fans but showed her commitment to living life on her own terms rather than industry expectations.
2. Sly Stone
Sly Stone revolutionized funk music with his band Sly and the Family Stone, creating infectious hits that made everyone dance. His innovative sound blended rock, soul, and psychedelic music in ways nobody had heard before. Songs like “Everyday People” became anthems of the 1970s.
However, heavy drug use derailed his career and destroyed his reliability. He began missing concerts and recording sessions, frustrating bandmates and fans alike. By the 1980s, he had essentially disappeared from public view.
Financial troubles and ongoing substance abuse kept him out of the spotlight for decades. Stone now lives quietly in California, rarely making public appearances.
3. D’Angelo
D’Angelo’s smooth voice and innovative neo-soul sound made him a superstar in the late 1990s. His album “Voodoo” received critical praise and commercial success, establishing him as R&B royalty. The music video for “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” became iconic overnight.
But that same video created problems he never anticipated. Fans objectified him relentlessly, focusing on his appearance rather than his musical talent. This attention made him deeply uncomfortable and contributed to substance abuse issues.
A serious car accident in 2005 further sidelined him. D’Angelo spent years recovering physically and emotionally before finally returning with new music in 2014.
4. Fiona Apple
When Fiona Apple burst onto the scene at age eighteen, critics called her a genius. Her debut album “Tidal” showcased raw emotion and poetic lyrics that resonated with millions. She seemed destined for continuous mainstream success.
Instead, Apple retreated from the public eye between albums, sometimes for years at a time. She battled anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder throughout her career. The music industry’s demands clashed with her need for creative control and personal space.
Apple releases music on her own schedule now, refusing to compromise her artistic vision for commercial success. Her long absences frustrate some fans but allow her to create authentic, powerful work.
5. Axl Rose
Guns N’ Roses dominated rock music in the late 1980s and early 1990s with Axl Rose’s distinctive voice leading the charge. Albums like “Appetite for Destruction” sold millions and made them the biggest band on the planet. Then Rose essentially disappeared for over a decade.
His perfectionism delayed the release of “Chinese Democracy” for an absurd fifteen years. Band conflicts, legal battles, and Rose’s demanding personality contributed to the prolonged absence. Fans waited impatiently while rumors swirled about the album’s progress.
When it finally arrived in 2008, the music landscape had completely changed. Rose has since reunited with original members for successful tours.
6. Shania Twain
Shania Twain became the best-selling female country artist of all time with massive crossover hits. Her album “Come On Over” sold over forty million copies worldwide, making her a household name. Everyone knew songs like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”
Then she vanished from music for nearly fifteen years. Lyme disease severely affected her vocal cords, leaving her unable to sing properly. A devastating divorce from her producer husband added emotional trauma to her physical struggles.
Twain underwent multiple throat surgeries and extensive vocal rehabilitation. She feared she might never sing again, but eventually made a triumphant comeback with new music and a Las Vegas residency.
7. Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum created one of indie rock’s most beloved albums with Neutral Milk Hotel’s “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.” Released in 1998, the album gained a cult following that grew larger every year. Critics and fans considered it a masterpiece of lo-fi indie rock.
Immediately after its release, Mangum disappeared completely from the music world. He gave no interviews, performed no concerts, and released no new material for over a decade. The sudden absence mystified fans and sparked endless speculation.
Mangum later explained that fame’s intensity overwhelmed him and he needed to step away for his mental health. He briefly returned to performing in 2013 before retreating again.
8. Sade
With her sophisticated sound and timeless elegance, Sade became one of the most successful British artists ever. Hits like “Smooth Operator” and “No Ordinary Love” defined sophisticated soul music for a generation. Her albums consistently went platinum worldwide.
Yet Sade regularly takes decade-long breaks between projects, prioritizing privacy over constant publicity. She lives quietly in England, raising her family far from Hollywood’s glare. The band only records and tours when all members feel genuinely inspired.
This approach frustrates record labels but keeps their music fresh and authentic. Fans have learned to accept the long waits between albums as part of Sade’s mystique and artistic integrity.
9. Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel left Genesis at their commercial peak and built an even more successful solo career. His innovative music videos and experimental sound made him an MTV icon in the 1980s. “Sledgehammer” became one of the most-played videos in history.
After his 1992 album “Us,” Gabriel largely stopped releasing pop music to focus on world music and humanitarian work. He founded the WOMAD festival and Real World Records, promoting musicians from developing nations. His interests expanded beyond commercial success.
Gabriel also invested heavily in technology and multimedia projects. Though he occasionally releases new material, his output slowed dramatically compared to his prolific earlier years.
10. Missy Elliott
Few artists influenced hip-hop as profoundly as Missy Elliott with her futuristic sound and groundbreaking videos. She dominated the early 2000s with hit after hit, establishing herself as rap’s most innovative female voice. Her creativity seemed limitless and unstoppable.
Then Elliott disappeared from releasing music for nearly a decade. She later revealed that Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder, had left her struggling with severe symptoms. The illness affected her energy, concentration, and ability to work in the studio.
Elliott kept her condition private while managing her health. Once her symptoms became manageable through treatment, she made a celebrated return to music, reminding everyone why she’s considered legendary.
11. Kate Bush
Kate Bush’s theatrical performances and avant-garde music made her one of Britain’s most distinctive artists. Songs like “Wuthering Heights” showcased her extraordinary four-octave vocal range and unique artistic vision. She achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success throughout the 1980s.
In 1993, Bush essentially retired from public performing after her tour ended. She focused on raising her son and only occasionally released new albums from her home studio. Bush valued family life and privacy far more than maintaining celebrity status.
Her absence from live performance lasted an incredible thirty-five years. When she finally returned for a London residency in 2014, tickets sold out in minutes, proving her enduring appeal.
12. Rick Astley
Rick Astley’s deep voice and catchy pop songs made him a global phenomenon in the late 1980s. “Never Gonna Give You Up” topped charts worldwide and made him an international star practically overnight. His success seemed guaranteed to last for years.
However, Astley walked away from music in 1993 at age twenty-seven to focus on being a father. He felt uncomfortable with fame and wanted to give his daughter a normal childhood away from media attention. The decision shocked the music industry.
Astley retired to the countryside and largely avoided the spotlight for over a decade. He eventually returned to music in the 2000s and found renewed popularity through internet memes.