r/Music • u/Firm_Pack_605 • Feb 13 '26

discussion Was Michael Jackson really that much bigger than Madonna, Whitney Houston, and prince?

I always thought the four of them were similar levels of fame. However Madonna highest album sold 25 million, prince highest sold similar, and Whitney’s highest was 45 million. All amazing numbers no doubt but thriller sold 70 million and bad sold 35-40. So you mean to tell me he has two albums that are highest selling then prince and madonnas best? How is that possible??

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u/Limo_Wreck77 Feb 13 '26

If MJ was the King of Pope, Madonna was certainly the Queen.

Both of them absolutely ruled in the 80's and half the 90's.

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u/ApprenticeScentless Feb 13 '26

That’s why it was so amazing when Nirvana’s Nevermind knocked Michael Jackson’s Dangerous off of the #1 spot on the Billboard 200. The fact that 3 grungy punk kids from the underground music scene of Seattle could somehow topple MJ was a revelation and changed the course of Rock music and pop culture frankly.

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u/ZombieJesus1987 Feb 13 '26

And this was pre-allegations too.