Rolling Stone UK has named Harry Styles “the new King of Pop,” which has angered fans of the late Michael Jackson, who was infamously referred to as the “King of Pop.”
On the cover of the publication’s October/November issue, which was issued on Monday, the singer of “Story of My Life” is seen sporting a pair of pastel boxer shorts with the headline “Harry Styles. How the new King of Pop set the music world aflame.”
While there is no denying that Styles has made enormous contributions to music, many feel that Rolling Stone overstepped the mark by giving Styles the honor that really belonged to the legendary “Thriller” vocalist.
“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,” Taj Jackson, Michael’s nephew called out the magazine in a tweet Monday.
“The title has been retired. No disrespect to @Harry_Styles, he’s mega talented. Give him his own unique title,” he added.
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
The Recording Academy, which organizes the annual Grammy Awards, listed ten reasons why Michael holds the title of the King of Pop. At the 26th Grammy Awards in 1984, he became the first performer to win 8 Grammys in a single night. Prior to starting his solo career, Michael and his siblings in the Jackson 5 created history when they became the first group to have all four of their singles reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
As a member of the Jackson 5 and a solo performer, Michael was also the first person to get two stars in the same category on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
He also sold over 75 million albums in the U.S. and ranks No. 7 on the list of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) of top-selling artists of all time.
As per Newsweek, meanwhile Styles’ latest single “As It Was” claimed the top spot of Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks in a row, and his latest album “Harry’s House” was also a massive hit and sold half a million equivalent units in its first week of release in May.
Still, some people are not convinced that Styles is “the new King of Pop.”
“Michael Jackson is the King of Pop. He broke racial barriers, revolutionized, and set the standard for the music industry through his groundbreaking creativity and pioneering. A true Legend!” Michael’s fan tweeted.
Michael Jackson is the King of Pop ?
He broke racial barriers, revolutionized, and set the standard for the music industry through his groundbreaking creativity and pioneering. A true Legend! #KingofPopMichaelJacksonpic.twitter.com/XksD0rzRay
— MJJ LEGION HD (@MJJGallery) August 22, 2022
“Michael Jackson is the ONLY King of Pop. It’s a universal fact and everyone needs to accept that,” another commented.
Harry Styles revealed in the magazine why he insists on keeping his private life away from the scrutinizing public eye.
