Michael Jackson had a few nicknames throughout his career, including MJ, but his most prominent title will always be the King of Pop. Before becoming one of the biggest pop stars in music history, Jackson made his mark on the soul, R&B, and disco genres. He was a trailblazer for artists prone to reinventing themselves, as he was constantly trying out something new. Jackson knew better than anyone that in order to keep fans entertained, he had to know how to evolve with the times. He did this effortlessly throughout his life, which contributed to his legacy.
The singer refused to let himself be boxed into genres, so in 1982, he released Thriller, marking his official entry into pop music. Jackson had a style in his music, dancing, and character that made him truly unique. The pop music world had never seen anything like it, and they never would again. After another successful album, Bad, Jackson soon earned his new title, King of Pop. While most know who's being referred to when they hear King of Pop, there's a fascinating story behind how Jackson actually got that name.
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Elizabeth Taylor First Called Jackson The King Of Pop
Jackson's Name Came About At An Award Show
Michael Jackson had a close friendship with actress Elizabeth Taylor, even making her the godmother of his daughter, Paris Jackson. So, at the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards, Taylor honored her friend by presenting him with the Heritage Award for Career Achievement. Before Jackson accepted the trophy, Elizabeth Taylor referred to him as "the true king of pop, rock, and soul." However, only the first portion of her sentence stuck, likely because it was catchier than the whole phrase. Afterward, Jackson would be marketed as the King of Pop, which worked with the promotion of his next album, Dangerous.
Why The King Of Pop Title Resonated So Much
Michael Jackson Changed Pop Music Forever
In the decades after, countless pop stars would be referred to as the Prince of Pop. Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber, and even Shawn Mendes have shared the title, but no one has ever reclaimed the title King of Pop. Michael Jackson didn't reinvent the wheel; instead, he created something brand new that changed pop culture forever, and no one has come close to the legacy he left behind. Today's pop stars, whether they know it or not, are still following the blueprint left behind by Jackson.
10 Underrated Michael Jackson Songs You've Probably Never Heard Before
Michael Jackson is one of the most famous artists of all time, but his discography still holds many widely unknown masterpieces. Here are 10 of them.
Taylor Swift has spoken about how, after losing at the 2014 Grammys, she felt inspired to officially switch genres, releasing her biggest album at the time, 1989. It would go on to win the 2016 Grammy's Album of The Year award. However, this was a formula created by Michael Jackson decades earlier. When he only received two Grammy nominations for Off The Wall, he reinvented himself before dropping his massive pop album Thriller. He wrote about the transition in his 1988 memoir Moonwalk, discussing his plan to become the world's biggest pop star, leaving his former public persona behind.
In 2022, Rolling Stone found themselves in hot water after putting Harry Styles on their cover with the caption "the new King of Pop." Jackson's fans were insulted at the suggestion that Styles or any modern-day pop star could come close to what he had accomplished. The truth is, no one has, and likely no one ever will. Michael Jackson's career has influenced all the pop stars who came after him, but it can never be recreated, making him the true King of Pop.