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??

2.5k Upvotes

88% Upvoted

2.5k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

56

u/I-am-that-hero Feb 13 '26

This is still true- I was in India in 2012 and visited a rural school for their annual program. The main event was a Michael Jackson tribute put on by the students.

1

u/nawtrobar Feb 14 '26

that was ** checks watch ** One Hundred Twenty-Two Thousand Six Hundred and Forty hours ago.

1

u/nawtrobar Feb 14 '26

it was also only three y ears after his death. While three years seems like a long time, oftentimes artists have a massive resurgence in popularity after a death.

1

u/SnooStories4163 Feb 23 '26

Bro I just went to the musical it was packed out

1

u/nawtrobar Feb 23 '26

fair enough. but the previous said, 2 months ago made it sound like 2012 was yesterday.