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There’s something undeniably captivating about a well-crafted pop culture conspiracy theory, particularly when it revolves around your most-loved artist or group.
From timeless urban myths surrounding The Beatles (such as the infamous Paul McCartney death hoax) to contemporary tales (like Jay-Z’s supposed involvement with the Illuminati), these music conspiracy theories continue to intrigue and amuse us, even during the gloomiest scrolling sessions.
1. The NFL playoffs were allegedly fixed to favor Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Did the NFL manipulate the playoffs to ensure the Chiefs reached Super Bowl LVIII? Online conspiracy theorists are convinced it’s true. | Patrick Smith/GettyImagesTaylor Swift, the country-turned-pop superstar, has faced her share of controversies (remember the Great Snakegate of 2017?). However, her high-profile relationship with Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce has sparked a wave of wild theories among conspiracy enthusiasts.
The situation took a strange turn into the absurd when rumors surfaced before Super Bowl LVIII, suggesting the NFL rigged the playoffs to ensure Taylor’s presence at the Super Bowl. This, they claimed, would boost viewership for the Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers showdown and secure Kelce and his team another championship ring. “The notion that this was scripted or prearranged is ridiculous,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated to reporters. Despite his denial, this Taylor Swift conspiracy theory spread like wildfire across social media.
2. Jay-Z’s alleged involvement with the Illuminati.
The first rule of the Illuminati club? Never discuss the Illuminati club. | Scott Gries/GettyImagesIs Jay-Z part of the Illuminati? And more crucially, would it stop you from playing “Empire State of Mind” on your next trip to New York? Conspiracy theorists argue that Jay-Z is a member of this clandestine group, which allegedly wields control over global events. They point to his frequent use of the “diamond cutter” hand gesture, which they claim ties to the Illuminati’s all-seeing eye and pyramid imagery.
Some theorists go further, suggesting Jay-Z possesses abilities like mind control and time travel. In 2013, a curator at the New York Public Library discovered a Sid Grossman photo from 1939 featuring two men, one of whom bears a striking resemblance to the rap icon. Other artists rumored to be Illuminati members include Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kesha, David Bowie, and Lana Del Rey.
3. Michael Jackson’s death was allegedly staged to divert attention from political unrest.
Some theorists argue that Jackson’s death was a calculated move in a larger political scheme. | Pool/GettyImagesThis Michael Jackson theory takes a darker turn. Certain individuals believe the star’s fatal drug overdose wasn’t accidental but a carefully planned act by the Iranian government to shift Western media attention away from the political protests in Iran during June 2009. The protests erupted after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s controversial reelection. Allegedly, while Iran attempted to suppress news coverage, protesters turned to social media. However, most U.S. media outlets were preoccupied with reporting on Michael Jackson’s death.
4. The CIA was behind John Lennon’s assassination.
Some believe Lennon’s death was a deliberate assassination. | Rowland Scherman/GettyImagesConspiracy theorists claim Mark David Chapman was merely a tool in John Lennon’s murder. The
5. Kris Kristofferson is allegedly a reptilian.
Stranger things have indeed occurred. | Larry Ellis Collection/GettyImagesIn 1999, British author and sports commentator David Icke released a book titled The Biggest Secret, outlining his theory that many global leaders and celebrities are part of a reptilian alien race known as the Babylonian Brotherhood. Originating from the Draco constellation, these beings allegedly possess the power to shapeshift into humans and dominate humanity.
Unsurprisingly, the internet embraced Icke’s theory. Kris Kristofferson is said to be one of these shapeshifters, alongside other supposed members of the Babylonian Brotherhood like Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and Pope Francis.
6. Andrew W.K. is allegedly an imposter.
Still feels real to us, though. | Corey Perrine/GettyImagesRumors suggest the Andrew W.K. we know today is not the same person featured on the 2001 album I Get Wet. Allegedly, Andrew W.K. grew a beard to conceal his true identity, possibly a figure known as Steev Mike, who is thought to be a corporate creation behind the Andrew W.K. persona and is listed as an executive producer on I Get Wet. The theory claims multiple individuals have played the role of Andrew W.K. in the past, and more will do so in the future.
7. Beyoncé’s pregnancy was allegedly a hoax.
In 2011, widespread speculation claimed the former Destiny’s Child singer wasn’t actually pregnant. | Jason Merritt/GettyImagesFair warning: If you’re part of the Beyhive, this Beyoncé conspiracy theory might upset you. Some online theories suggest Beyoncé avoided gaining weight during pregnancy by hiring a surrogate to carry her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.
The pop star revealed her pregnancy by caressing her baby bump at the end of her 2011 MTV Video Music Awards performance. However, just a week before the VMAs, Beyoncé performed at a concert where many claimed she showed no visible signs of pregnancy. The theory gained traction after an interview with Beyoncé post-VMAs, where her stomach appeared to fold as she sat down, leading to rumors of a prosthetic belly. Beyoncé denied using a surrogate, and footage from her On the Run tour showing her bare baby bump seemingly debunked the conspiracy.
8. Gangster rap was allegedly created to populate prisons.
Some rumors also claim Tupac (pictured on the right) is still alive. | Mitchell Gerber/GettyImagesConspiracy theorists allege that in 1991, record label executives and wealthy elites secretly devised gangster rap to push drug sales and street violence through music, aiming to fill privately owned prisons. An anonymous letter sent to HipHopIsRead.com reportedly outlined a music industry insider’s involvement in this scheme.
9. The Wizard of Oz and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon are rumored to have a mysterious connection.
The Wizard of Floyd is a well-known music conspiracy theory. | Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/GettyImagesThe theory that Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon perfectly aligns with The Wizard of Oz is one of the most famous and widely discussed among fans. Allegedly, if you start the album at a specific moment in the movie, the music and visuals synchronize seamlessly. “The outcome is remarkable,” Charles Savage noted in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette in 1995. “It feels as though the film was designed as an extended music video for the album. Lyrics and song titles match the storyline, while the music mirrors the characters’ actions. Don’t expect to be blown away, but do expect to notice enough coincidences to question if it was intentional. And be prepared to spot even more connections that might seem far-fetched if not for the other perfectly aligned moments.”
In reality, The Wizard of Oz runs about 112 minutes, while Dark Side of the Moon is roughly 43 minutes long, meaning you’d need to play the album nearly two and a half times to achieve perfect synchronization.
“It’s utterly baseless, a total fabrication,” Alan Parsons, Pink Floyd’s audio engineer, stated in 2003. “I tried it for the first time about two years ago. One of my fiancée’s kids had the video, and I thought I’d see what the fuss was about. I was thoroughly unimpressed. Any audio expert will tell you that the potential for synchronization drift between the video and the record is huge—it could be up to twenty seconds by the end. Besides, if you play any record with the TV muted, you’ll find coincidental matches.”
10. Elvis is still alive.
The king remains the king. | Ronald C. Modra/GettyImagesAmong Elvis conspiracy theories, many insist that the King is alive and well, residing at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Theorists claim Elvis faked his death in 1977 to escape the pressures of fame. Some “evidence” includes his middle name being misspelled on his gravestone, alleged sightings (like one with Muhammad Ali in 1984), and the fact that his life insurance was never claimed—though some argue it never existed. Of course, this remains pure speculation.
11. Paul McCartney is allegedly dead.
Since 1967, rumors have circulated that Paul McCartney died in a car crash and was replaced by a doppelgänger. Theorists cite two Beatles albums as “proof” of his death. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is said to be McCartney’s burial record: The cover shows a hand above his head, symbolizing a blessing or Last Rites, and on the inner sleeve, he faces backward while the rest of the band faces forward. Abbey Road is interpreted as his funeral procession, with McCartney barefoot, signifying he’s out of sync with his “living” bandmates.
The rumors of McCartney’s death were so widespread that he addressed them in a 1969 interview with LIFE magazine. “Maybe the rumor started because I’ve been out of the spotlight lately,” he said. “I’ve done enough press for a lifetime and don’t have much to say now. I’m happy spending time with my family and working when I need to. I was constantly in the public eye for 10 years, and now I’m taking breaks whenever I can. I prefer a quieter life these days.”
12. Avril Lavigne supposedly died and was replaced by a look-alike.
Why do you have to make music conspiracies so convoluted, folks? | Jeremy Chan/GettyImagesTo explore this bizarre conspiracy, let’s travel back to 2003, a time of low-rise jeans, popped collars, and a Canadian pop-punk sensation dominating the charts.
While jamming to Avril Lavigne’s debut album, Let Go, might not have earned you much coolness back then, you’d have been heartbroken to think she had passed away. This theory claims Lavigne died in 2003 and was replaced by a look-alike named Melissa Vandella to shield young fans from grief. Vandella was reportedly hired before the “Skater Boi” singer’s supposed death to act as her double for the paparazzi.
Some fans insist hidden messages in her later albums offer “hints” about the switch, though Lavigne has publicly dismissed these claims, labeling them a “ridiculous internet rumor” and expressing disbelief that anyone believed it.
This article was originally published in 2014 and has been updated for 2024.
