Prince on His Rivalry with Michael Jackson! Candidly In His Own Words | HO

In the 1980s, Prince and Michael Jackson were two pop powerhouses that were often compared and pitted against each other, even though both stood out as incredible artists in their own right.

They competed as a full blown rivalry ensued, in this video we document this complicated dynamic and Prince’s own reflections when it came to his unique relationship with his King of Pop nemesis.

The rivalry between Prince and Michael Jackson is one of the most iconic and fascinating narratives in the history of pop music. Both were monumental figures who shaped the sound of the 1980s, defined trends, and pushed the boundaries of music, fashion, and performance. Though their artistry and personalities were distinct, the media, fans, and even the artists themselves often compared them, creating a rivalry that spanned years. While they both had a mutual respect for each other’s talents, the competitive edge was undeniable. Prince, known for his boldness, spoke candidly about this rivalry on several occasions.

In the early 1980s, Michael Jackson had already established himself as a global superstar with Thriller (1982), the best-selling album of all time. Prince, on the other hand, was still emerging but was quickly gaining ground with his innovative music and bold persona. In a conversation with one of his record label executives, Prince reportedly expressed his frustration with being second to Michael. According to the executive, Prince said, “I have to find a way to knock Michael out of the number one spot.” The success of Thriller was eating away at Prince, whose 1999 (1982) album was doing well but not reaching the same astronomical heights.

The executive suggested Prince collaborate with Quincy Jones, the legendary producer of Thriller, as a way to elevate his sound. This suggestion infuriated Prince, who prided himself on being a self-made artist, writing, producing, and playing most of the instruments on his albums. He stormed out of the meeting, shouting, “I produce my own records!” This moment encapsulated Prince’s fiercely independent spirit and his drive to surpass Michael on his terms.

One of the most infamous moments in their rivalry occurred at a James Brown concert in 1983. Michael Jackson, who had long admired Brown and studied his stagecraft, was in the audience. James Brown, recognizing Michael, invited him on stage, where Jackson performed a brief, electrifying dance, including his famous moonwalk. After Michael finished, he whispered something to Brown, who then invited Prince to come up as well.

Prince’s performance, however, was a disaster. Unprepared and seemingly caught off guard, Prince awkwardly played a guitar riff and knocked over a light pole as he exited the stage. The audience, who had just witnessed Michael’s flawless showmanship, was less than impressed. According to those close to Prince, he was deeply embarrassed by the incident and watched the footage repeatedly, analyzing what went wrong. This moment further intensified the rivalry between the two artists. As one insider put it, “Prince knew exactly what Michael was up to. He always had this thing where he felt Michael was setting him up.”

By 1984, Prince had cemented his place as a superstar with the release of Purple Rain, both the album and the film. The success of Purple Rain rivaled that of Thriller, and for a brief period, the two were neck and neck. Purple Rain was a cultural phenomenon, with its blend of rock, R&B, and funk, and it solidified Prince’s status as an artist who could do it all—write, perform, act, and even produce a blockbuster film.

During this time, the media often pitted the two against each other, framing them as the Beatles and Rolling Stones of the 1980s. Prince, who was fiercely competitive, thrived on these comparisons. In an interview, Prince said, “You couldn’t invent something better. It was just perfect.” He embraced the competition, believing it pushed him to be a better artist. However, unlike Michael, who was primarily an entertainer, Prince took pride in being a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer. As he once remarked, “Michael was a great performer, but I did it all.”

One of the more contentious moments in their rivalry came during the recording of “We Are The World” in 1985. The charity single, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones, brought together some of the biggest names in music to raise money for famine relief in Africa. Almost everyone in the industry was involved, but Prince was notably absent.

According to Quincy Jones, Prince declined to participate because he didn’t want to share the spotlight with Michael. When Jones offered to put Prince in a separate room to record, the artist still refused, saying he would rather contribute a guitar solo than stand alongside other stars. Jones was reportedly furious, taking Prince’s refusal as a personal insult. In Prince’s own words, he admitted that he didn’t feel comfortable in such a setting. “I probably would have just clammed up with so many great people around. I’m strongest in a situation where I’m surrounded by people I know.”

Throughout the 1980s and beyond, Prince never quite shook the shadow of Thriller. Despite Purple Rain’s success, Michael’s Thriller continued to dominate the cultural landscape, becoming a touchstone for pop music and breaking records that Prince, for all his talents, couldn’t surpass. In interviews, Prince often downplayed his rivalry with Michael, but it was clear that the competition drove him. He once remarked, “It’s not for somebody who doesn’t play music to step up and say that’s not as good as [my work].”

In the years that followed, both artists continued to push the boundaries of music and performance, but the rivalry faded as their careers evolved. Prince remained a prolific and innovative artist, constantly reinventing himself and challenging the music industry, while Michael’s career took a more tumultuous path.

Though the two were often compared, their artistic visions were fundamentally different. Michael Jackson was a consummate entertainer, while Prince was a musical genius who operated on his own terms. In the end, the rivalry between Prince and Michael Jackson was less about personal animosity and more about two artists at the peak of their powers, each striving to outdo the other and leave a lasting legacy. As Prince once said, “It’s our journey. It’s not for someone who doesn’t play music to step up and say that’s not as good as.”