Man in the Mirror Image: Finding this Generation’s Michael Jackson
**Before commencing with the article, I would like to address the allegations against Jackson. His crimes were heinous, and there is no excusing the wrongdoings he committed. Jackson is first and foremost a problematic figure and I want to avoid glorifying him or giving him a free pass because of the quality of his music. His music will always be contextualised by his sexual misconduct and I aim to make my argument around which artist most resembles Jackson in terms of the success of his music when he was alive. This piece aims to find the successor of this star power, but always bearing in mind Jackson's moral bankruptcy.**
Michael Jackson is arguably the ultimate music artist; his very essence exuberates star quality. His trademarks ‘hee-hees’, moonwalks and revolutionary dance routines are instantly recognizable. Many called him the best live music performer ever after groundbreaking live shows such as the Super Bowl XXVII halftime show, whilst world-renowned videos such as Thriller have cemented him at the heart of some of the most important pop culture moments. Thriller remains the best-selling album ever, Jackson still earns millions per day years after his death, and his crowning title as the ‘king of pop’ is ingrained in fact, having been named the ‘most successful entertainer of all time’ by Guinness World Records.
Last year’s Leaving Neverland and his history of sexual misconduct allegations have thrown his legacy into question. Nevertheless, some of the most prolific artists of today have cited Jackson as having a huge influence on their work.
In a quest to determine Jackson’s successor, yours truly has settled on a select few nominees. The artists were chosen based on a synthesis of MJ’s defining attributes- his vocal power, mammoth chart success, game-changing concerts, and cultural adoration and significance.
To keep it specific to this generation, only artists who began their careers or peaked after the 00s will be considered. Acts from any genre are eligible, so long as they carry the most quintessential popstar traits.
Without further ado, let us investigate who is the next Michael Jackson.
The Weeknd
Often vocally mistaken for Jackson, The Weeknd bears the closest artistic resemblance to the pop icon. His smooth dancing and hits such as Can’t Feel my Face and I Feel it Coming heralded Abel Tesfaye as the new MJ to many, whilst Blinding Lights is a stylistic and commercial equal to Jackson’s very biggest hits. His film-noir storylines provide for captivating videos, and as the first act to lead the Billboard 200, Hot 100, Hot 100 Songwriters, Billboard Artist 100 and Hot 100 producer simultaneously, he is one of contemporary music’s most significant figures.
His hedonistic lifestyle is akin to that of Jackson. However, despite the cohesion of his latest album, After Hours, The Weeknd’s earlier discography contains a greater mystique than his more mainstream later work. Jackson continually pushed the boundaries of his genre, without losing his sense of enigma, and The Weeknd’s character does not thrill quite to the level of Jackson’s. That being said, should The Weeknd continue to provide smashes on the level of Blinding Lights, he could be one of Michael’s biggest chart rivals.
Taylor Swift
This may seem like an odd choice, but Swiftie’s place in music makes her too important to ignore. Swift has released some of the best-selling albums of all time, many of which achieved the highest global sales of their respective years.
She possesses Michael’s lucrative power yet her most fascinating attribute is her ability to perfectly intertwine her public life with her music. Her rich narratives put her at the centre of debates on the purpose of celebrities and attitudes towards women, monopolizing the public consciousness and turning whatever scandal that comes her way into gold dust.
Unfortunately, what sets Taylor apart from Michael is her place in the hearts of the public. At Jackson’s peak, he was universally loved, yet Swift still has her fair share of detractors. Some deemed her a champion of white feminism with her 2015 girl squad, while others decried her potential dishonesty following Kim Kardashian’s snapchat exposé during the Famous scandal. Swift is disqualified on this basis however the stigma she often faces highlights society’s misogynistic double standards regarding gender constructs and relationships, which are often weaponised to scrutinize female artists.
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran is another chart beast. Divide was the 5th best-selling album of the 21st century in the UK, Shape of You is the 9th most successful song of all time, and the Official Charts Company named him artist of the decade. His videos for Shape of You, Thinking out Loud etc. are iconic, and the Divide Tour is the highest grossing tour of all time.
Sheeran trades a traditional pop star aura for a relatable everyman role, yet there is something sometimes ineffectual about Ed Sheeran’s music. Some of Jackson’s music nears 50 years of age but classics like Beat It demand you immediately head to the dancefloor, whatever your age. His music is timeless, whereas Sheeran’s back catalogue ranges from moving to cringe-inducing. The ubiquity of Ed’s later tunes proved grating for many and though the red-haired sensation looks set to eat every chart record alive, Jackson will always remain the more compelling artist.
Adele
One of the music industry’s strongest vocalists, and a global treasure, Adele is simply irresistible. Adele equals Swift’s song-writing ability and avoids the generic quality of some of Sheeran and Tesfaye’s work, and many of her numbers have become first dance staples.
Adele is also the most profitable of the contenders. 21 is the best-selling album of the 21st century, 25 is one of the most successful albums of all time and, along with Swift, the British singer is the only other two-time female album of the year winner at the Grammys. She may even surpass Jackson in the all-time sales rankings.
Adele is particularly impressive in her capability to totally disappear from the public eye and lose none of her business acumen or fan base. Though charming and mesmerising in her talent, she is ultimately a totally different to artist to Michael. Adele meets Jackson’s timelessness, but like Sheeran, albeit more successfully, she is homely and affecting and is not quite what defines a pop star. Jackson’s talent was deeply multifaceted to a level Adele has not yet quite reached.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé is without a doubt a star. Her name is synonymous with excellence, her vocal range is staggering, even besting Adele, and the Halo singer’s videos from the omnipresent Single Ladies to the culturally significant Formation, solidify her icon status.
Queen B is largely beloved, and her later albums Beyoncé and Lemonade were audibly avant-garde, whilst the depiction of Jay-Z’s infidelity underlines a clear artistic progression from her first album Dangerously in Love. Like Jackson, the Houston legend sacrificed her childhood to lead a hugely successful music group, and she has cited MJ as her key musical influence. She is also the strongest live performer here, with her Super Bowl performances and innovative 2018 Coachella set, many have indeed hailed her as this generation’s Michael Jackson.
It may seem like the competition is over, however, despite her high album sales, after 4, Beyoncé rejected the path of the mainstream popstar. Rather than continue in the easily accessible vein of hits like Irreplaceable, the songstress opted for more experimental, less commercial, and more political concept albums such as Lemonade and its exploration of black womanhood. She chooses seclusion, and as such, she no longer occupies the same lane as Jackson.
It seems there is no successor to the King Pop. Jackson is a once in a lifetime talent. Few will ever be able to hypnotize the world through their impeccable stage presence, dancing abilities and sheer strength of personality. We may never see a character of his demeanour ever again, but there is much to be learned at looking at the today’s reigning figures in music. A sleazy self-sabotaging playboy, the country ballad queen, the guy next door, a love-stained singer-songwriter, and the regal activist. Ultimately, none completely resemble Jackson’s image, and some may conclude the standard for legendary status has lowered since Jackson’s passing. Or, more likely, what we demand, want and need from popstars in 2020, is entirely different from what has ever gone before.
Written by Charlie Wright
A passionate Film, TV, Music, Culture and 'The Room' fan (if you know, you know), I'm an absolute nut for a debate and article writing. I recently graduated from University of Bristol studying English Literature, have previously edited the entertainment section of interscholastic newspaper Rhino press, and scored a distinction in a Freelance Music & the Arts London School of Journalism course. I am also the first person be stung on both feet by two Jellyfish simultaneously whilst they were having sex, and I have also accidentally dated a neo-Nazi. I'm not sure if these qualify me for feature writing but I'm over the moon to be writing for the Everyday.