People hate Nickelback mainly because their music is perceived as overly generic and lacking originality, which makes them seem like a band that follows commercial trends rather than pushing creative boundaries. Critics and fans often see them as sellouts focused more on money than artistic authenticity, especially after their music was used in a furniture commercial, which sparked particular backlash. Additionally, Nickelback's lead singer Chad Kroeger's controversial public behavior and some misogynistic lyrics in their songs have contributed to the negative perception of the band. The hate against them has also been fueled by internet meme culture and comedian punchlines, such as a 2003 Comedy Central joke that labeled their music as "bad" to the point of violent frustration. This collective disdain is sometimes more about what the band represents—a commercially engineered product rather than raw artistic originality—than the music alone. Despite all the hate, Nickelback remains commercially successful with a large fan base.