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.

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.”

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.

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.