MJ and Prince Through the Years
MJ and Prince Through the Years
Throughout their illustrious careers, comparisons have been drawn between Michael Jackson and Prince. From their timeless chart-topping classics and global mainstream appeal to their humble upbringing, religious beliefs and individual artistry, Michael Jackson and Prince have mirrored each other. In celebration of the two music icons being honored at 'BET Awards '10,' we match up the facts about their lives.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'Got To Be There'
Jackson, seen here during a 1972 'Top of the Pops' television appearance, was poised for greatness. During that year, he released a total of four solo studio albums with the Motown Records label, among them 'Got to Be There' and 'Ben.'
MJ and Prince Through the Years
Purple Reign
Not only did the soundtrack to the film 'Purple Rain' spend 24 weeks atop the charts, but it also earned Prince an Academy Award for best original score. 'Purple Rain' sold more than 13 million copies and was the first project Prince recorded with his longtime band, the Revolution. The title track took home the 1985 Grammy for best group rock vocal; other hit singles included 'When Doves Cry,' 'I Would Die 4 U,' and 'Let's Go Crazy.' The landmark album made Prince a household name.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'I'll Be There'
During the mid-1970s, Michael Jackson evolved from kiddy-pop singer to teen music sensation. Not only did he achieve sterling success with his varied solo projects, the Gary, Indiana native simultaneously recorded hit records with his brothers under their new moniker, The Jacksons.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'Pop Life'
Prince Rogers Nelson, the son of a jazz singer and a pianist songwriter, was born and raised in Minneapolis. Prince taught himself how to play piano, guitar and drums - all before the age of 14. He released his debut, 'For You,' in 1978, but it wasn't until 1980 that this eclectic singer-songwriter began making a name for himself with his second release, 'Dirty Mind.' The sexually explicit material included a very suggestive track about oral sex called 'Head.'
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'Greatest Show On Earth'
Jackson played the Scarecrow in the 1978 film, 'The Wiz,' an elaborate re-envisioning of 'The Wizard of Oz,' directed by Sidney Lumet and starring a cavalcade of the biggest black celebrities of the time, most notably Diana Ross as Dorothy, Nipsey Russell as The Tin Man, Ted Ross as The Cowardly Lion, Lena Horne as Glenda The Good Witch and Richard Pryor in the title role.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'Sign O' the Times'
For two shows at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Prince found himself in the lucky position of opening up for the Rolling Stones. Unfortunately, his style choices got the young singer booed off the stage. Nevertheless, his 'Controversy' album (released later that year), coupled with his side projects with the funk band The Time, fueled the singer's popularity both stateside in addition to internationally.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'We've Got A Good Thing Going'
Jackson-- pictured here in 1980 reportedly after breaking his nose during a complex dance routine leading to his initial rhinoplasty surgeries -- was riding a wave of success from the Quincy Jones-produced 'Off The Wall' album. It sold millions of copies and garnered a slew of awards, including American Music Awards, Billboard Awards and a Grammy Award.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'Money Don't Matter Tonight'
Prince has never been an artist consumed by celebrity or making money. At the height of his fame, he still managed to incorporate socially conscious records with MTV-friendly videos like 'Little Red Corvette' and 'Delirious.' One song in particular, 'Sister,' broached the topic of incest. His 1982 double disc '1999' sold more than 3 million copies.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
'Pretty Young Thing'
Jackson was considered a heartthrob to many of his female fans. During his heyday as an adult solo artist, he made the scene with and was romantically linked to a slew of celebrity women, including Stephanie Mills, Tatum O'Neal and Brooke Shields, whom he is pictured with February 7, 1984.
MJ and Prince Through the Years
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Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book, "Black American Money." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (27)
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By: wisdom on 6/28/2010 6:33PM
The people who handle Mike,s esate will end up with more money than the jacksons.This is really sad that Mrs Jackson has to go through this.Every Jackson should be atleast getting $2.5 million dollars from that estate,and i mean everyone.Mrs Jackson has to run her maansion and that cost money.her son made this money and she should be getting atleast $300,000 per month.We all know that the people who handle his estate will cheat the family
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By: patricia adler on 11/07/2010 12:56PM
the family should get zero! his mother, who mj trusted is the most poor excuse for a mother. mj children will read about all of this when they are older. they will tell all the jacksons a big goodbye!
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By: Cindy on 6/28/2010 6:33PM
I think they felt he would take care of them until the end of never. I can see taking care of his mother, but they went to her and Kate's biggest mistake is not being able to say no to her adult sons.
Anyway, I hope it works out for her. Maybe some agreement can be reached in this judgement. If something were to happen to her they wouldn't get a dime. MJ settled his part. And they can't go after the minors. So hopefully this will work out.
As for Joe, I agree with MJ, he doesn't deserve a dime. Especially in light of the fact that he has choosen to stick with Brian Oxman a lawyer MJ fired. Joe is willing to let him slander his son for money, when they autopsy reports contradicts him. They should be worried about what Michael's children will do when they find out how low some of these relatives will go to get his money. No one was closer to him than his children and I can see some people being evicted.
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By: Cindy on 6/28/2010 6:36PM
The thing is MJ left Kate a life estate, meaning she will be cared for as long as she lives.
I think he did this to stop her spending every dime on her greedy children (some of them at least).
He took care of them in life. They should channel their talent becuase they do still have some.
The estate so far is carrying out his orders. I wish there was a resolution.
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By: stare k on 6/28/2010 6:55PM
Bottom Line . GREED , GREED.
EVERY ONE TRYING TO CASH IN ON MJ MONEY.ALL
OF HIS MONEY SHOULD STAY IN THE JACKSON FAMILY .THAT IS HIS FAMILY .
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By: rasfanta on 6/28/2010 10:31PM
This is another example of the chosen ones hands in the pockets of everybody. Katherine is the mother of MJ; she and her family are entitled to every dime MJ left behind. I think it is degrading and servile for Katherine to have to beg for her sons' money. She does not have to give account to anyone. She is entitled to make as much money as she wants from her sons' god-given talent provided thru the genes of katherine and joe jackson.
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By: wayne on 6/28/2010 10:01PM
Mike should have left every brother and sister atleast $1 million,cause they are just going to stress Mrs jackson out.Who will get that estate when Mrs Jackson passes?THE BROTHERS WERE A BIG HELP TO MIKE IN THE EARLY STAGES.I just thank god that i only Have $23.00 in the bank and a book opf food stamps and that is all i,am leaving folks.Thats my estate
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By: wow on 1/09/2011 2:54PM
wowww u have more than meeeeeeee lol
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By: Focus on 6/28/2010 10:20PM
No, there's no money for all of them. According to what I've read MJ was in huge debt. Not the kind of debt average people have but spend thrift millionaires. Who taught MJ how to be a steward of his money? Surely not his father.
On 20/20 they said MJ was responsible for Hayvenhurst and its maintenance. It was about to have it's light shut off and be foreclsoed the day after he died! Amazing!
Another debt of $300 million is coming due by the end of the year and the executors are trying to modify that now.
This family relied heavily on MJ for financial support over the years. Years ago Jet reported that MJ stopped paying Marlon's $11,000/month mortgage.
Looking back, Joe Jackson financially crippled his family. He beat the hell out of the children to make them famous. The boys never had childhoods because they were too busy recording and traveling to juke joints to make a buck. Afterwards Joe invested their money into poorly advised ventures.
The J5 are older working adults now, taking gigs when offered. This is why Katherine begged and pleaded with MJ tour with his brothers years ago. They needed the money.
IMO, I believe Katherine is now venturing out to make money because there are several properties to upkeep, including the condo where Jermaine's ex and children will live. She had a house full of people to take care of.
Why Jermaine is not providing for his own children is beyond any sense. I read where he has liens against him in CA, thousands behind in child support and I suspect this is why his ex and children are living with his mother, to avoid child support.
Katherine is a sweet woman and it appears she'll do anything for her children but make some of them grow up. The dependency continues.
After Katherine is gone and the children are adults, the dependency will finally end, Hayvenhurst will finally be sold and those older men/boys still depending on momma will be in for a shock.
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By: Focus on 6/28/2010 10:22PM
Jacqueline Onassis said the same thing in her will. She left her sister nothing. She said she cared for her while she was alive.
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