Michael Jackson Fans Are Heated After Harry Styles Is Crowned New ‘King of Pop’
After Harry Styles was given the title of ‘The New King of Pop” in a new Rolling Stone cover story, Michael Jackson fans are fighting back.
Michael Jackson fans are putting their foot down on his ‘King of Pop’ status. On Monday (August 22), Rolling Stone revealed that pop artist and former One Direction member Harry Styles was their new cover star, also dubbing him ‘The New King of Pop.’ The title didn’t sit well with Jackson fans, who immediately went to social media to air out their grievances.
Our October / November cover star is @Harry_Styles ✨
How does he make all of it look so easy — even when it definitely isn’t?
Read the interview and see the cover shoot: https://t.co/5guRhvgLrn pic.twitter.com/nVUoUAgGCZ
— Rolling Stone UK (@RollingStoneUK) August 22, 2022
Among those against the headline was Taj Jackson, singer and nephew of the late Thriller icon.
“There is no new King of Pop. You don’t own the title @RollingStone, and you didn’t earn it, my uncle did,” Jackson tweeted. “Decades of dedication and sacrifice. The title has been retired. No disrespect to @Harry_Styles, he’s mega talented. Give him his own unique title.”
There is no new King of Pop. You don’t own the title @RollingStone, and you didn’t earn it, my uncle did. Decades of dedication and sacrifice. The title has been retired. No disrespect to @Harry_Styles, he’s mega talented. Give him his own unique title. https://t.co/td6SSSVkfX
— Taj Jackson (@tajjackson3) August 22, 2022
Other fans pointed out that Rolling Stone attempted to call Justin Timberlake ‘The New King of Pop’ in 2003 after he went solo from Y2K boy band *NSYNC and released debut album Justified.
It shows their racism and disrespect. They tried the same crap with Timberlake. There is no new King Of Pop! #MJKingOfPopForever pic.twitter.com/U1zi30YiiH
— Carla Martin (@ceci_dezignz06) August 22, 2022
Nearly two decades later, the publication denounced Timberlake as ‘The King of Cringe’ after his 2018 album Man of The Woods was given a lukewarm response and following his awkward dance at Something In the Water Festival in June.
Jackson died in June 2009 from cardiac arrest caused by a lethal combination of prescription drugs given by his personal physician, Conrad Murray. August 29 marks what would have been Jackson’s 64th birthday.
Read what Jackson fans have to say about the real ‘King of Pop’ below.
This title belongs to the black man who worked his ass off since the age of 5, who was a veteran by the age of 15, broke racial barriers and revolutionized the music industry. Michael Jackson is THEE King of Pop of EVERY generation. https://t.co/3jxtYWCHOa
— 𝓥𝓮𝓻𝓸𝓷𝓲𝓬𝓪💫 | fan account (@iamveronica777) August 22, 2022
Michael Jackson is the King of Pop 👑
He broke racial barriers, revolutionized and set the standard for music industry through his groundbreaking creativity and pioneering. A true Legend! #KingofPopMichaelJackson pic.twitter.com/XksD0rzRay
— MJJ LEGION HD (@MJJGallery) August 22, 2022
now why the hell they playing on Michael name calling harry styles the new king of pop💀….A WHITE MAN? THE KING OF POP? they love disrespecting black artists that had to work a million times harder for their achievements https://t.co/K12cbDpoDr
— randi ☆ (@ultralovedeluxe) August 23, 2022
PEOPLE take the "king of pop" title so lightly nowadays that they just throw it to about anybody. i don't even think people fully grasp the meaning of the title. Michael Jackson is the King of Pop! putting that title to anyone makes it nugatory; meaningless.
— jenny ★ (@ThrillerGlitter) August 22, 2022
i know i did not just open my beautiful, brown african american eyes and read that harry styles is the “new king of pop” as if michael jackson doesn’t still hold damn near every record in music including being THEE most awarded artist of all time. say it ain’t so.
— 5hahem aka Dr. Durag (@shaTIRED) August 22, 2022
rolling stone (uk) calling harry styles the king of pop is a very bold move considering the most notable person to hold the king of pop title is michael jackson. how do you put michael jackson and harry styles on the same level with a straight face.
— sk (@kirkxxs) August 22, 2022
Out of anybody, they’re calling harry styles the “new” king of pop? pic.twitter.com/6TuN8L2yd9
— mariah ☆ (@voguessangel) August 22, 2022
