Music has always carried spiritual weight. Throughout history, artists have used music not only to entertain but to express beliefs, channel spiritual energies, and explore the mysterious. The musicians who publicly acknowledge witchcraft practices do it so openly that it’s not even hard to spot it even if you are not a bible believing Christian.
Today, a number of mainstream musicians incorporate occult practices, witchcraft symbolism, and esoteric references in their lyrics, music videos, and public personas, some subtly, others quite overtly.
This post highlights 9 musicians who have brought the occult, mysticism, and witchcraft into mainstream music through their artistic choices, lyrics, and even personal practices.
1. Beyoncé and the Mystery of the Occult Imagery
Beyoncé’s connection to mysticism and spiritual symbolism is complex. While she hasn’t publicly claimed to practice witchcraft, her work is loaded with ritualistic visuals, African spiritual influences, and esoteric motifs, especially through her alter ego, Sasha Fierce.
In her Lemonade visual album, Beyoncé embodies Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of love and fertility, wearing yellow and walking through water. A clear spiritual reference. Her symbolic use of African spirituality has been both celebrated and criticized.
But perhaps most controversially, in the song “Hold up,” she delivers a striking line:
“Plug my menses with pages from the Holy Book.”
The lyric sparked backlash for its perceived blasphemy, suggesting ritualistic desecration of sacred texts, a theme often found in occult practices that subvert traditional religion.
In 2018, Beyoncé was also accused by her former drummer of casting spells and engaging in “extreme witchcraft.” While the claim wasn’t proven, it intensified the conversation surrounding her spiritual persona.
2. Jay-Z and the Occult Symbolism in His Lyrics
Jay-Z’s reputation for occult references and Illuminati speculation stems from his frequent use of Masonic and esoteric imagery. Especially the diamond hand sign representing his Roc Nation brand, which closely resembles the Eye of Providence.
One of the most cited lines comes from his hit song “Empire State of Mind”:
“Jesus can’t save you, life starts when the church ends.”
This lyric triggered widespread discussion, as it suggests abandonment of traditional religion in favor of worldly or spiritual self-salvation. A concept often associated with Luciferianism and esoteric initiation.
Other tracks like “D’Evils” reference demonic temptation, soul selling, and spiritual warfare, with lyrics such as:
“Illuminati want my mind, soul, and my body.”
Though Jay-Z has denied being part of any secret society, the consistent occult themes in his lyrics and visuals continue to fuel speculation.
3. Azealia Banks: Brujería and Open Witchcraft Practice
Few artists have been as public and unapologetic about their occult practice as Azealia Banks. She has openly claimed to practice Palo Mayombe. A spiritual tradition involving ancestral worship and ritual ceremonies rooted in Central African spirituality.
In 2016, she shocked followers with a now-deleted Instagram video showing her cleaning out a room she claimed had been used for three years of ritual sacrifices. Including blood-stained walls and feathers, common items in certain ritual settings.
Her music, such as “Yung Rapunxel” and “Heavy Metal and Reflective,” contains themes of ritual power, chaos magick, and spiritual warfare. Banks has stated she uses her practice for protection, manifestation, and vengeance, aligning with traditional definitions of folk witchcraft.
4. David Bowie: The Golden Dawn and Occult Transformation
David Bowie’s artistic legacy is soaked in occult philosophy, especially influences from Aleister Crowley, Thelema, and Kabbalah. In the song “Quicksand,” Bowie sings:
“I’m closer to the Golden Dawn / Immersed in Crowley’s uniform…”
This is a direct reference to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a real-life occult society focused on ceremonial magick and mysticism.
His personas, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, and The Thin White Duke, can be interpreted as magical avatars, exploring themes of cosmic initiation, alien deities, and death-rebirth cycles.
His final album, Blackstar, is viewed by many as a ritual farewell, filled with cryptic lyrics, symbolic death imagery, and mystical transformation.
5. Lady Gaga: Ritual Performance and Esoteric Symbolism
Lady Gaga has long used occult symbolism and ritualistic performance in her work. From blood-soaked sets to rebirth themes, her shows often appear like theatrical magick rituals.
In videos like “Alejandro” and “Bad Romance,” she’s depicted as a sacrificial figure, surrounded by Masonic symbols, crosses, and ritual circles. She’s also known to work with Marina Abramović, a performance artist associated with “spirit cooking”, a controversial form of ritual art.
Gaga refers to her creative process as channeling, claiming that her work is divinely inspired and that she sometimes goes into trances before writing or performing.
6. Marilyn Manson: Blasphemy, Ritual, and Reversal
Marilyn Manson built his career on the inversion of Christian ritual becoming one of the musicians who publicly acknowledge witchcraft practices , openly referencing Aleister Crowley, Anton LaVey, and Satanic philosophy.
In Antichrist Superstar, Manson stages a ritual descent, exploring themes of spiritual rebellion, dark transformation, and self-deification. His performances include ritual symbols, upside-down crosses, and mock sacraments, all tools for challenging religious orthodoxy.
Manson once said in an interview:
“I don’t worship Satan, but I agree with his philosophy.”
This Luciferian attitude, where personal will is exalted above religious morality, is a core tenet of many occult belief systems.
7. Lana Del Rey: Hexes, Moon Rituals, and the Divine Feminine
In 2017, Lana Del Rey made headlines after publicly confirming she participated in a mass hexing ritual meant to bind Donald Trump, alongside other witches across the U.S. She even tweeted dates and encouraged fans to join her in casting the spell.
Her music is filled with mystical themes, including astrology, divine femininity, and occult archetypes. Songs like “Gods & Monsters” and “Bel Air” play with themes of spiritual seduction, fallen angels, and cosmic longing.
Lana’s work often presents femininity as sacred and dangerous, echoing the archetypal witch as both healer and destroyer.
8. Doja Cat: Demonic Personas and Occult Aesthetics
Doja Cat’s transformation in her Scarlet era marked a dramatic shift into explicitly demonic and occult territory making her one of the Musicians who publicly acknowledge witchcraft. The videos for “Demons” and “Paint the Town Red” feature red body paint, horns, black magic visuals, and ritual choreography.
Key Lyrics:
“I’m a demon, Lord forgive me / I’m a heathen, not repenting…”
“I’m not your friend or your enemy / I’m the god you’ll never be.”
These lyrics tap directly into Luciferian themes of rebellion, godhood, and moral inversion.
Fans and critics alike have debated whether her imagery is symbolic or literal, but the consistent occult themes in both visual and lyrical content make her one of the most overtly “witchy” pop stars of recent years.
9. Sam Smith: Androgyny, Ritual, and the Devil in Pop Culture
Sam Smith’s artistic direction took a bold turn during the Gloria era, especially with the song “Unholy” featuring Kim Petras. Their 2023 Grammy performance drew massive controversy due to its explicitly Satanic imagery, with Sam wearing devil horns, dancing in hellish red light, and surrounded by flames.
Kim Petras, who is openly transgender and has referenced spirituality in her own work, performed from inside a cage, evoking themes of ritual sacrifice and rebirth.
Smith’s recent music plays heavily with gender inversion, mystical archetypes, and religious rebellion, often challenging traditional views on sin, purity, and power.
In interviews, Sam has stated:
“I feel like a vessel. I don’t control this.”
This concept of spiritual channeling aligns with many occult practices where the performer becomes a conduit for forces beyond the self. making him one of the top musicians who publicly acknowledge witchcraft.
Occult Practices in the Music Industry: Artistic Freedom or Spiritual Agenda?
These artists blur the line between art and ritual, performance and practice, symbolism and reality. Whether you view their work as spiritual rebellion, creative liberation, or dark influence, the occult is no longer hiding in the shadows of pop culture, it’s center stage.
Their bold incorporation of witchcraft, mysticism, and esoteric symbols raises deeper questions about the role of spiritual belief in modern music, and the power of ritual in shaping pop identity.
Final Thoughts
These 9 musicians showcase the growing presence of occult themes in today’s music industry. From ritualistic visuals to blasphemous lyrics and esoteric performance art, they’re not just performing, they’re invoking.
For some, it’s just entertainment. For others, it’s spiritual warfare in disguise. Either way, the influence of witchcraft and occultism in music is undeniable, and growing. but the bible reminds us in Romans 12vs2 that we should not comform to these patterns of the world. So, just because these artists are openly practicing witchcraft doesn’t mean we should normalize their actions, but rather speak out against them.
Also Read : Secular Music and its hidden dangers for Christians
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