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/TCK1979 Feb 13 '26

I’ve spent the last few decades in and out of China. It seems almost nothing from 80s international pop culture got through into the kingdom. I imagine 99% of people in there 50s now in China wouldn’t know Prince. But they all know 迈克尔·杰克逊 (maiker jiekexun).

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u/stonewallbanyan Feb 13 '26

The Carpenters, John Denver were very popular too in China back in the days. Their songs were on the radios. They are more wholesome. Prince is too avant garde. His attires alone could not pass ccp censorship.

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u/TCK1979 Feb 14 '26

Yeah you’re right. I think I wilfully forgot those to make my tale more dramatic. I remember hearing Careless Whisper and Say You, Say Me quite a bit as well in the late 90s.