The King of Pop
Known as the "King of Pop," Michael Jackson is a renowned singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. He has shaped music and dance over four decades, influencing countless artists. Popularized iconic moves like the moonwalk and robot, cementing his status as a 20th-century cultural icon.
Rise to Fame
As the eighth child of the Jackson family, Michael rose to fame in 1964 with the Jackson 5, signing with Motown in 1968. As lead singer, he achieved global success and began his solo career in 1971. His 1979 album Off the Wall launched him as a solo star.
His groundbreaking music videos for "Beat It," "Billie Jean," and "Thriller" (1982) transformed the medium and broke racial barriers, helping popularize MTV. He continued to innovate with videos for Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), HIStory (1995), and Invincible (2001). Thriller remains the best-selling album of all time, while Bad produced five Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles.
A Controversial Life
From the late 1980s, Michael became a controversial figure due to his changing appearance, behavior, and lifestyle. In 1993, he faced accusations of sexual abuse, but the lawsuit was settled out of court, and he was not indicted due to lack of evidence. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted of further allegations.
In 2009, while preparing for his comeback concerts, This Is It, Jackson died from a propofol overdose administered by his physician, Conrad Murray, who was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter. His death sparked global reactions, driving unprecedented internet traffic and music sales. His televised memorial service at the Staples Center was viewed by over 2.5 billion people.
Achievements & Accolades
- 15 Grammy Awards
- 6 Brit Awards
- 1 Golden Globe Award
- 24 American Music Awards
- 39 Guinness World records, including the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"
- 13 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
- Over 500 million records sold worldwide
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (twice)
- Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame
| Rank | Song Name | Total Streaming Units | Physical Sales | Digital Sales | Total Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billie Jean | 23,514,809 | 4,900,000 | 6,650,000 | 35,064,000 |
| 2 | Thriller | 11,652,881 | 3,050,000 | 8,500,000 | 23,202,000 |
| 3 | Beat It | 13,191,554 | 4,410,000 | 5,500,000 | 23,101,000 |
| 4 | Smooth Criminal | 9,457,809 | 1,400,000 | 3,550,000 | 14,407,000 |
| 5 | Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough | 6,158,815 | 2,780,000 | 3,250,000 | 12,188,000 |