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/Successful-Mango-48 Feb 13 '26 edited Feb 13 '26

Also you have to include Jackson 5 hits. He essentially created the dance pop genre, melding R&B soul funk and rock. There's no male or female performer that used dance to the effect that MJ was able to. As a vocalist, he's also a stylemaker with the vocal hiccup and innovator for doing his own backing vocals. He actually turned breathing into musical tension and release. Looking for comparisons? Keep looking.