Eminem and Michael Jackson are without a doubt two of the best musicians to ever grace our ears.
MJ: The King of Pop
Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, was a legendary singer, songwriter, and dancer who revolutionized the music industry. With his iconic voice, electrifying performances, and groundbreaking music videos, Jackson captivated audiences worldwide. From “Thriller” to “Billie Jean,” his influence on pop culture and his unparalleled talent continue to inspire generations.
Rap Icon
Eminem, born Marshall Mathers, is a globally renowned rapper and songwriter known for his raw lyrical prowess and provocative style. Rising from humble beginnings, his honest and introspective storytelling has resonated with millions. With albums like “The Marshall Mathers LP” and “Recovery,” Eminem has cemented his status as a rap icon.
Although they both belong to extremely distinct musical genres, aficionados of both genres and even those who aren’t usually the greatest fans of those genres enjoy them.
But the two truly fought to the point that Jackson did something unexpected since he was so unhappy before the King of Pop passed away in 2009.
What caused it?
The fight between the two was sparked by Eminem’s 2004 song “Just Lose It,” which at the time stirred up a lot of controversy owing to its apparent caricature of Jackson.
Jackson’s child molestation trial, plastic surgery, and the terrible incident in 1984 when Jackson’s hair caught fire during a Pepsi commercial were all mentioned by Eminem in the song.
Jackson called into Steve Harvey’s radio show just one week after the release of “Just Lose It,” calling the song “disrespectful.”
“I am very angry at Eminem’s depiction of me in his video,” he said.
“I feel that it is outrageous and disrespectful. It is one thing to spoof, but it is another to be demeaning and insensitive.
“I’ve admired Eminem as an artist, and was shocked by this. The video was inappropriate and disrespectful to me, my children, my family and the community at large.”
Just three years later, Jackson reportedly purchased the rights to the entirety of Eminem’s discography as payback.
The rapper’s music was owned by Jackson’s joint firm Sony/ATV Famous Music, which paid a stunning $370 million to acquire the repertoire.
With the massive transaction, the parent company of Michael Jackson also acquired ownership rights to the music catalogs of Bjork, Shakira, and Beck.
Jackson actually acquired the catalogs of other artists during his career; in fact, in 1985, he shocked fans by purchasing the rights to The Beatles’ collection.
Even Sir Paul McCartney, a former member of the Beatles, was outbid by the ‘Thriller’ singer.
However, despite calling the words of “Just Lose It” “disrespectful” a few years before, Jackson strangely did nothing with them.
Until his passing in 2009, Jackson kept the rights to Eminem’s music.
Boss Hunting claims that in 2016, Eminem repurchased the publishing rights to his music.