People saying Michael Jackson was the King of pop...

[Manly Moose]

There is no such thing as a "King Of Pop". The fact that MJ released a greatest hits compilation (in 2008) with the title "King Of Pop" really boggles my mind. How can an artist be so self-confident to really claim a title like this?

He was a great artist, that I do not dispute. But... no...

MJ stans (especially the young ones, some who, probably even wasn't fans of MJ before he died) really doesn't think twice before claiming him to be the "King of Pop". Which, I can partly understand, I mean, it's a fancy title. But... Music has been around for a LONG TIME. MJ has not.


"Pop" Definition:

(Noun) : Pop is a kind of music that is generally liked by most people and that is considered to be commercially successful among the mainstream.

(Adjective) : Pop describes something that is generally liked by the masses.
An example of pop is music that most people like.

Its just a nickname that appeared in the early 90's and it stuck. But it really isnt inaccurate, he did sell more than every other pop artist, Thriller became THE top selling album within a year of its release and its still the best selling album of all time. He could release 9 singles from a single 10 song album and have them all do well, he is the king of crossover hits, therefore, the king of pop.

It doesnt mean hes the king of music, but it shows his achievement as being one of the most successful artists and being the most well known artist of all time. Though controversy with his skin color and kids kinda dampened with career post 80's. I mean, who do you think is king of pop? Elvis? Beatles? Their arent many other options past those, and their music isnt really pop.

[Blu]

So many people have terrible English in this thread

Starting a sentence with a conjunction is improper English, especially when it is a sentence without a context. I wouldn't use ''so many'', that's awkwardly phrased, ''a lot of people'' is a lot better, and you forgot to insert a period/full stop at the end of that sentence.

Zu

I'm sorry but I have really no respect for MJ. I understand his childhood was fucked up, but after the surgeries, color change, child molestation shit, I just do not respect him as a person. And in that i can't respect him as an artist. The real King is Elvis, dude sold a billion records

If you read somewhere that Eminem molested Hailie, then would you not respect him as a person anymore?

[Sam.]

If you read somewhere that Eminem molested Hailie, then would you not respect him as a person anymore?

Applause for your great thoughts ..wow ! I mean Eminem made fun of MJ's child abuse case and you think that he would do the same thing ? How stupid can one person get ,damn ! Your thoughts reflects what an asshole you really are.1st you say shit to me in the C.W Lounge ,I replied ,then i thought why did I say that.Come to think of it, I was right .This is far more disgusting to be even called as sarcasm or even a joke.Don't do this man ,you're a good member here don't be a dick trying to be cool.This is TRshady not some kindergarten site where you can be a hero by saying this.

[NextEpisode]

There is no such thing as a "King Of Pop". The fact that MJ released a greatest hits compilation (in 2008) with the title "King Of Pop" really boggles my mind. How can an artist be so self-confident to really claim a title like this?

He was a great artist, that I do not dispute. But... no...

MJ stans (especially the young ones, some who, probably even wasn't fans of MJ before he died) really doesn't think twice before claiming him to be the "King of Pop". Which, I can partly understand, I mean, it's a fancy title. But... Music has been around for a LONG TIME. MJ has not.


"Pop" Definition:

(Noun) : Pop is a kind of music that is generally liked by most people and that is considered to be commercially successful among the mainstream.

(Adjective) : Pop describes something that is generally liked by the masses.
An example of pop is music that most people like.

Its just a nickname that appeared in the early 90's and it stuck. But it really isnt inaccurate, he did sell more than every other pop artist, Thriller became THE top selling album within a year of its release and its still the best selling album of all time. He could release 9 singles from a single 10 song album and have them all do well, he is the king of crossover hits, therefore, the king of pop.

It doesnt mean hes the king of music, but it shows his achievement as being one of the most successful artists and being the most well known artist of all time. Though controversy with his skin color and kids kinda dampened with career post 80's. I mean, who do you think is king of pop? Elvis? Beatles? Their arent many other options past those, and their music isnt really pop.

What is your definition of "King Of Pop"? You mention some achievements, which indeed are impressive. But he's not holding every record in the book, I can assure you (example: Most #1 singles, and most #1 albums, most weeks at #1 (singles & albums) etc...). Also, do you know about music from the late 1800? Early 1900? Or maybe a little more recent, let's say Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra. These are EXTREMELY successful arists, and with great talent. When they was at their peak, they ruled the industry (look up chart-stats for them, you'll be quite impressed). Also, when these guys peaked, albums wasn't what the people bought, it was singles. LP's came around in the mid-50s. So you can't really compare album sales with artists prior to 1950.

My opinion is that the "King Of Pop" nickname/label (or w/e) is nothing but a promotion-tool. It's a phrase that sounds extremely impressive, which obviously is good for the artist's business. And the music industry is a business.

For how long have you been a Michael Jackson fan? Because during the last 10 years or so (prior to his death). Almost every time the "king of pop" nickname was involved, it was with a "self-proclaimed" before. Down below is what I got from a quick "google browse" (articles from 2001-01-01 to 2009-01-01). See for yourself (Ctrl+ F) and search in the articles after "self", and you'll see.

Reuters:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/10/ ... 8R20081031

Billboard:
http://www.billboard.com/artist/michael ... n/bio/4902

New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/16/arts/ ... 6dian.html

ABC:
- http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/sto ... 576&page=1
- http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/sto ... 503&page=1

DailyMail
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... rland.html

- CNN:
http://articles.cnn.com/2003-02-17/ente ... PM:SHOWBIZ

- USAToday:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news ... kson_N.htm

- The Nation:
http://www.thenation.com/blog/king-distraction

- Associated content:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/articl ... chael.html

- The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01103.html

- People:
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,713885,00.html

- LA Weekly:
http://www.laweekly.com/2003-11-27/news ... rp-of-pop/

- Las Vegas Review- Journal
http://www.lvrj.com/news/8317542.html

- Today
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/4109993/n ... pCqGd7lbUA

...Anyhow...

As far as sales are concerned. Michael Jackson is not the best-selling artist of all time (He's in the Top3 though). Prior to his death. He wasn't among the top 30 best-selling artists in the US since 1991 (1991-2009), i.e. the two last decades, a period in which he toured and released several albums (Source: Nielsen Soundscan).

With all this said, i might come through as a "MJ hater" or w/e. That's not the case though, I own most of his studio albums (1979-1991). My favourite MJ is the earliest stuff he did (with Jackson5). A talented kid that didn't think that he need to be the best in the world to be enough. He was just a musician. The MJ we saw in the 1990s, was obsessed with success IMO. Just look at some of the videos...

Well, let's play that "Thriller" record and remind myself how great this album was.

[BILI]

^^^^^^^^^^^^

All you guys above look funny as fuck. I'm guessing you guys know absolutely nothing about music outside of the early 2,000's and beyond. + one of you has exceptionaly bad tastes in music, it really shows that you have no experience with anything but rap music (Looking at you Revolutionary, what you said is like saying Nas is the worst rapper alive)

well Nas is not even in top 20...

AHAHHHAHHAHHAHA you crazy, girl!

I guess I am...sry for putting him so high...he`s not even top 40 tbh tranny

[Manly Moose]

There is no such thing as a "King Of Pop". The fact that MJ released a greatest hits compilation (in 2008) with the title "King Of Pop" really boggles my mind. How can an artist be so self-confident to really claim a title like this?

He was a great artist, that I do not dispute. But... no...

MJ stans (especially the young ones, some who, probably even wasn't fans of MJ before he died) really doesn't think twice before claiming him to be the "King of Pop". Which, I can partly understand, I mean, it's a fancy title. But... Music has been around for a LONG TIME. MJ has not.


"Pop" Definition:

(Noun) : Pop is a kind of music that is generally liked by most people and that is considered to be commercially successful among the mainstream.

(Adjective) : Pop describes something that is generally liked by the masses.
An example of pop is music that most people like.

Its just a nickname that appeared in the early 90's and it stuck. But it really isnt inaccurate, he did sell more than every other pop artist, Thriller became THE top selling album within a year of its release and its still the best selling album of all time. He could release 9 singles from a single 10 song album and have them all do well, he is the king of crossover hits, therefore, the king of pop.

It doesnt mean hes the king of music, but it shows his achievement as being one of the most successful artists and being the most well known artist of all time. Though controversy with his skin color and kids kinda dampened with career post 80's. I mean, who do you think is king of pop? Elvis? Beatles? Their arent many other options past those, and their music isnt really pop.

What is your definition of "King Of Pop"? You mention some achievements, which indeed are impressive. But he's not holding every record in the book, I can assure you (example: Most #1 singles, and most #1 albums, most weeks at #1 (singles & albums) etc...). Also, do you know about music from the late 1800? Early 1900? Or maybe a little more recent, let's say Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra. These are EXTREMELY successful arists, and with great talent. When they was at their peak, they ruled the industry (look up chart-stats for them, you'll be quite impressed). Also, when these guys peaked, albums wasn't what the people bought, it was singles. LP's came around in the mid-50s. So you can't really compare album sales with artists prior to 1950.

My opinion is that the "King Of Pop" nickname/label (or w/e) is nothing but a promotion-tool. It's a phrase that sounds extremely impressive, which obviously is good for the artist's business. And the music industry is a business.

For how long have you been a Michael Jackson fan? Because during the last 10 years or so (prior to his death). Almost every time the "king of pop" nickname was involved, it was with a "self-proclaimed" before. Down below is what I got from a quick "google browse" (articles from 2001-01-01 to 2009-01-01). See for yourself (Ctrl+ F) and search in the articles after "self", and you'll see.

Reuters:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/10/ ... 8R20081031

Billboard:
http://www.billboard.com/artist/michael ... n/bio/4902

New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/16/arts/ ... 6dian.html

ABC:
- http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/sto ... 576&page=1
- http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/sto ... 503&page=1

DailyMail
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... rland.html

- CNN:
http://articles.cnn.com/2003-02-17/ente ... PM:SHOWBIZ

- USAToday:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news ... kson_N.htm

- The Nation:
http://www.thenation.com/blog/king-distraction

- Associated content:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/articl ... chael.html

- The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01103.html

- People:
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,713885,00.html

- LA Weekly:
http://www.laweekly.com/2003-11-27/news ... rp-of-pop/

- Las Vegas Review- Journal
http://www.lvrj.com/news/8317542.html

- Today
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/4109993/n ... pCqGd7lbUA

...Anyhow...

As far as sales are concerned. Michael Jackson is not the best-selling artist of all time (He's in the Top3 though). Prior to his death. He wasn't among the top 30 best-selling artists in the US since 1991 (1991-2009), i.e. the two last decades, a period in which he toured and released several albums (Source: Nielsen Soundscan).

With all this said, i might come through as a "MJ hater" or w/e. That's not the case though, I own most of his studio albums (1979-1991). My favourite MJ is the earliest stuff he did (with Jackson5). A talented kid that didn't think that he need to be the best in the world to be enough. He was just a musician. The MJ we saw in the 1990s, was obsessed with success IMO. Just look at some of the videos...

Well, let's play that "Thriller" record and remind myself how great this album was.

I understand what your saying and I dont think your a hater at all, though there are a few corrections that need to be made.

In the period of 1991 - 2009 he didnt release several albums, he released ONLY TWO albums and a shitty remix album, and the molestation case had come up severly hurting sales.

Yes King of Pop is just a promotional tool, but despite what all those news sources say it was never self proclamined. Elizabeth Taylor is the person who called him King of Pop and after it stuck, MJ went with it, and came under media attack for "being arrogant".

I agree that the MJ of the 1990s was obsessed with success, MJ of the 1980s was obsessed with success lol. His biggest problem was that he would always wait at least 3-4 years to an album, and then he had a 6 year break before his last album. Its kinda sad, he was back in the studio recording right before he died. Though the only thing even remotely ready for release was a song he did with Akon in 2007. This led to a posthumous album with songs from scattered eras and 3 tracks that the majority of MJ fans including MJs kids say "It isnt Michael thats singing" ,it sounds exactly like the tone deaf white guy on youtube that idiot fans constantly mistake for MJ.

[NextEpisode]

I understand what your saying and I dont think your a hater at all, though there are a few corrections that need to be made.

In the period of 1991 - 2009 he didnt release several albums, he released ONLY TWO albums and a shitty remix album, and the molestation case had come up severly hurting sales.

Yes King of Pop is just a promotional tool, but despite what all those news sources say it was never self proclamined. Elizabeth Taylor is the person who called him King of Pop and after it stuck, MJ went with it, and came under media attack for "being arrogant".

I agree that the MJ of the 1990s was obsessed with success, MJ of the 1980s was obsessed with success lol. His biggest problem was that he would always wait at least 3-4 years to an album, and then he had a 6 year break before his last album. Its kinda sad, he was back in the studio recording right before he died. Though the only thing even remotely ready for release was a song he did with Akon in 2007. This led to a posthumous album with songs from scattered eras and 3 tracks that the majority of MJ fans including MJs kids say "It isnt Michael thats singing" ,it sounds exactly like the tone deaf white guy on youtube that idiot fans constantly mistake for MJ.

Ok, maybe "several" isn't the most appropriate word. But he was releasing about the same amount as he had been in his career. MJ released three albums in the period 1979-1990. Three (four if you count the remix album, which actually sold quite a few copies), is also the number of albums that he released from 1991-2001:
- Dangerous (1991)
- HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)
- Invincible (2001)

And, as for "king of pop". I stand by my original statement; "there is no one". Michael Jackson - for me - reflects what music/culture was in the 80s. His earlier work with Jackson5 wasn't revolutionary, but it was good music. 100/200 yeras from now, Michael Jackson will go down as one of the most successful and influental artists of the 20th century. But... in 100/200 years, there will have been many new artists. Probably some that achieves similar success to that of Elvis, MJ & The Beatles. Do you think they'll be saying; "Hey! Michael Jackson is king of pop"... No, because by that time, MJ will most likely be quite irrelevant (airplay/sales - a business perspective). He will be a historical figure. IMO, The world has many "kings" yet to be born.