Texan Mosaic

Brittany Marriott 

Staff Writer

 Everyone knows the top two iconic music legends of all time, Michael Jackson and Prince. 

 These two were the most popular singers in the 1980’s and had some great hits. But the real question  is, do they have competition with each other, and who is the most iconic pop legend among them? 

 Michael Jackson, known as the “King of Pop,” was a best-selling American singer, songwriter and dancer. He first started in his family’s popular Motown group, the Jackson 5, at the of age 6. He later ventured off on his own as a popular solo act, becoming a worldwide success. The King of Pop had his top-selling album, “Thriller, “which sold more than 70 million copies in America after being released in 1982. During his career, Jackson received 13 Grammy Awards, as well as the Grammy Legend Award and  Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received five Billboard Music Awards and 24 American  Music Awards. He currently holds 20 World Records. The legendary singer later died on June 25, 2009, allegedly due to an overdose of propofol administered by his physician.  

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 Prince, who was known for his world vocal range, was not only an American singer songwriter, but also a multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and actor who had high pitched screams. The son of a jazz pianist, Prince taught himself to play instruments. Later, in his teenage years, he formed his own bands. 

 As this pop singer started to grow, he released his first album at age 19, then released his second album, Prince, in 1979. He held numerous number one spots on the U.S. singles, album,  and film charts. One of the most popular songs that he wrote was “When Doves Cry,” a No. 1 smash on the “Purple Rain” soundtrack. 

 The singer was later inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and earned 31 Grammy nominations. He received seven Grammy Awards. The pop icon later died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl from a counterfeit Vicodin pill in 2016.  

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 I grew up listening to both iconic singers because of my family growing up in their time. But I would have to say that Michael Jackson was the most iconic legend. Regarding Prince, he was the more powerful musician, but the King of Pop had outsold and out earned the Purple One many times over. 

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 These two had great success in their lifetime, from the 1980’s to the 2000’s. They both had fans falling at their feet. It wasn’t a competition for these two, because all they wanted to do was enjoy what they were passionate about. They made people feel alive with their songs and inspired future generations of artists who followed. 

 They influenced people to be better, because they never gave up on what they enjoyed doing.