Michael Jackson fans and his family slammed Rolling Stone UK for calling one direction member Harry Styles, 28, “the new King of Pop” in their Oct/Nov magazine cover issue.
On which Taj Jackson, 49, who is MJ’s nephew ire the declaration of Rolling Stone magazine, twitting: “There is no new King of Pop. You don’t own the title @RollingStone, and you didn’t earn it, my uncle did.
He also said this is MJ’s hard-earned title and should only be given to him, not disrespecting harry but should honor him with something else.
“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
Fans around the world made comments on Taj’s Twitter post and rant the same.
a fan JacksonRose86LP wrote: “There is only one King of Pop and no offence intended to Harry Styles but he’s not in the same league or universe as Michael Jackson. Harry is like every other pop star….. a Michael Jackson wannabe that will NEVER be anywhere near as good or as talented as the REAL King of Pop.”
“I’m a huge Harry Styles fan but no. He is not the new King of Pop. There is no new King of Pop,” a user commented.
Fans also noticed the outlet is racist and prejudiced and have previously called “the new King of Pop” to Justin Timberlake in 2003.
a fan twitted: “It shows their racism and disrespect. They tried the same crap with Timberlake. There is no new King Of Pop! ”
Another fan wrote:
The first major instance that i can recall of the
media trying to give the “King of Pop” status to someone else is in 2002-2003 with Justin Timberlake. As seen on this 2003 Rolling Stone cover. pic.twitter.com/5iv1aD3BAk— J (@sh3driv3sm3wild) August 22, 2022
Per Guinness World Records, MJ is the most successful entertainer of all time. He has the highest number of best-selling albums, along with one of the best-selling music artists. MJ entertained for over 40 years of his life from a pretty young age. Comparing MJ with a new singer who just started his solo career 5 years ago is not really justified.