BY MIKEY MIGO
It's common for people within the same profession to end up having a fling, casually dating, going out, and in some cases even marrying. The "celebrity" world is no different as we're used to seeing celebrities hook up and in result the tabloids, media, and celebophiles stalking them and harassing them. There's been plenty and the entertainment world is currently breeding and adopting a future Hollywood Army that's going to take over the world "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" style.
There are also those in the world of music who has hooked up. Some of the bigger ones, for better or for worse, include John and Yoko, Rihanna and Chris Brown, Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain, Whitney and Bobby, and many more. All of which who are no longer together for their own reasons be it death, fighting, or something else. Despite us making it our business of them flaunting it for press coverage, this stuff is, has never been, and never will be ANYONE'S business.
Then there are the times when they make it our business by sprinkling their personal relationships into the arts. Of course people still say "Yoko ended the Beatles" and all that, but it's a good example of what I'm talking about. Recently Trent Reznor ended Nine Inch Nails and then a few months later he releases an EP with his new non-famous wife as "How To Destroy Angels". Isn't it kind of indulgent to do something like this? It could result in great music, but in the end it feels cheap no matter how organic of the creative process. Everyone has that thought in the back of their heads of a fame craving-gold digging whiney wife going up to the famous rock star and screeching out with, "Why don't you make music with meeee?" It's shitty and completely unfair because like I said earlier a celebrity's personal life is, has never been, and never will be anyone's business… but the thought is still there.
Thankfully, there are couples in music who don't feel the need to share in their creative process. They do their own thing and you have to respect that. There are going to be people on this list that you don't like and that I personally would rather never expose my ears to again, but the point is that they're not "shitting where they eat" or some other synonymous metaphor that isn't so broad.
Jay Z & Beyonce
Jay Z is one of the most successful lyricist and moguls in all of hip hop history. He's torn down doors with his huge hit singles like "Big Pimpin'" or "99 Problems", he is part owner of the New Jersey Nets, and he is pretty much the face of hip hop. Beyonce made it huge with the R&B pop group "Destiny's Child" and went on to release some monster albums and smash singles. These two being together is like if Superman hooked up with Wonder Woman only with more style and 50% less spandex.
Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith
"The Fresh Prince" is one of the most bankable actors of all time and at least once a year we are faced with his image on a movie poster. It's easy to forget he's mainly a celebrity to begin with because of his musical endeavors with DJ Jazzy Jeff and beyond. He sells albums with ease. His beautiful wife, Jada Pinkett Smith got her claim to fame in her acting. She rocked movies like "Menace II Society", "Madagascar", and of course 2/3rds of "The Matrix" trilogy. But she's also gotten out there on the road, including Ozzfest, as the lead singer for metal band "Wicked Wisdom".
Ashlee Simpson-Wentz & Pete Wentz
Ashlee Simpson came out during that whole "punky popster" time. Basically people saw that Avril was awesome and decided that they wanted to do the same thing. With Jessica Simpson already having success and fame, it was easy to sneak her little sister into a corner of the spotlight. Then there's Petey Wentz. I normally stretch my tastes to enjoy something Chicago-born, but I just can't with this guy. As a member of Good Char… wait.. no… Sum 4… wait, no… yeah, "Fall Out Boy", it's hard enough to respect the guy. None the less, I don't wish any ill will towards the other guys in the band, but Wentz just took those extra steps in being annoying. A lip syncer and a douche. In these kinds of situations you have to be happy that these two are together and not ruining anyone else. It's like a quarantine of sucking.
Josh Homme & Brody Dalle
These two have been married since 2007, have a kid, and no media drama noticeably at all. Josh Homme is currently on top of the world in three very awesome projects "Them Crooked Vultures", "Eagles of Death Metal", and of course "Queens of the Stone Age". Brody was the vulgar and dirty punk girl of old in "The Distillers" and chilled out a bit in her new project "Spinnerette". These two DO collaborate though. There is no definitive wall between their creative outlets as Brody has done some guest appearance work on a recent "Queens of the Stone Age" AND "Eagles of Death Metal". But I think this is something we can let slide. It's not too invasive and is done just about right.
Gerard Way & Lyn-Z
Gerard Way once almost ran me over while in a golf cart backstage at an outside show a few years ago. If that wasn't enough to infuriate someone, I already hated his music. "My Chemical Romance" makes music that pisses on ones ear drums. A lot of insecure and easy target teenagers eat that kind of music up with a spoon, but the only substance is the faux relating lyrics placed on it by the listeners. It's commercial as commercial can be and pillages the styles of much better then they. So, yeah… not a fan at all. Then on the other hand, I used to love me some "Mindless Self Indulgence". At a time, I had them in my "Top 3 bands of all time" list and went to every show I could, bought imports, and supported the band as much as possible. One of the many reasons is the bassist is bad ass. The awesome Lyn-Z owns the stage, has more intensity then most metal players I've seen, and is hot in a scary kind of way. While on tour, the same tour Way almost ran me over, in 2007 the two would get married.
Nick Cannon & Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is one of the most successful singers of all time. She has more number one hits than most bands have total songs. He is a spokesman for a teenager aimed Nickelodeon channel, a TV host, and a part time actor. I know this one is a mild stretch, but Nick Cannon gets in purely because of that "I'm a Giggalo" track he did with R Kelly a few years ago. I don't care who you are, I will shun your soul if you talk smack about that classic.
Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale
This is a cool couple. Gwen carved a niche out with her work in No Doubt. It's really not too crazy to say that Gwen's one of the top ten or maybe even five female rock vocalists of the modern era, now is it? She then went from there and rocked a very solid and money making pop solo career. Then she hooks up with the lead singer of "Bush". It was like the TRL 90's B-Team decided to melt together. Gavin, like Gwen, left his normal claim to fame in "Bush" and attempted a solo career but to way less lovely results. They have your once in awhile tabloid story, but nothing that's really harmed their relationship as far as we know. They've been together for awhile and seem happy building a family together, but thankfully not a bad. I'd not want to rule out a Bush/No Doubt tour though. It's a weird combo if you think about it but at least I'd enjoy it.
What is your favorite separate project couple in music?
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