The rivalry between Prince and Michael Jackson has been a topic of fascination for years. Both were monumental figures in the pop music scene of the 1980s, breaking barriers and setting trends. They were two of the first non-white artists to gain significant airtime on MTV, alongside artists like Musical Youth and Herbie Hancock. However, the rivalry was real, as revealed in Michael Jackson’s unpublished autobiography tapes, where he described Prince as competitive and rude.
Despite being nearly the same age, Jackson’s career began much earlier as a child star, while Prince’s breakthrough came with his fifth album, 1999, in 1982, shortly before Jackson’s Thriller. Prince’s 1999 and “Little Red Corvette” received MTV play, but not to the extent of Thriller’s “Billie Jean” and “Beat It“. The competition between the two continued throughout their careers, highlighted by Prince’s absence from the “We Are The World” project, co-written by Jackson.
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Prince’s Comparison to David Bowie
While the media often pitted Prince against Michael Jackson, a more apt comparison might be with David Bowie. Both artists enjoyed massive commercial success but were equally comfortable veering into less commercial territory. After the success of Purple Rain, Prince released Around The World In A Day, a significant artistic departure. Similarly, Bowie made drastic artistic shifts throughout his career, most notably forming the band Tin Machine after the success of Let’s Dance.
Both Prince and Bowie frequently changed their musical styles and collaborators to suit their artistic visions. Prince embraced hip-hop influences in the early 1990s, while Bowie incorporated elements of drum and bass into his music in the late 1990s. They also worked with younger artists, sharing their experience and influence with a new generation.
Mutual Respect
Despite their rivalry, there was a deep respect between Prince and Michael Jackson. When Jackson passed away, Prince reportedly took the news very hard. According to Tavis Smiley, Prince canceled rehearsals and secluded himself for days. Smiley recounted how Prince spoke at length about Jackson’s genius and showmanship during a night in Switzerland, reflecting on their complicated relationship and mutual admiration.
Ultimately, while Michael Jackson was focused on creating chart-topping hits, Prince and David Bowie were more willing to experiment and take artistic risks, confident in their ability to return to mainstream success when desired. This willingness to explore and innovate is what set Prince and Bowie apart, making their contributions to music uniquely enduring and influential.
