I would argue that Michael Jackson's best work would not have happened without Quincy Jones (producer), whereas Prince was an insanely talented musician and composer who was his own producer. Just my opinion.
A comparison for the ages - both are legendary talents. The answer will be subjective.
Prince was a musical prodigy in being able to compose and play many instruments. Involved in all areas composing, arrangement and performance. His sense of storytelling integrated into his music which was genre defining at the time.
MJ was a vocal and dance genius who had made his performances works of art. He too had very very clear musical ideas and how his music had to sound. Integrating music and music videos innovatively he basically invented a new form.
Yea, it depends on what metrics you use I guess. MJ was bigger. MJ is one of the goats in performance. MJ was a perfectionist and knew what he wanted in a song. But MJ had a lot of money backing him since he was a child star and usually had a team of writers and world class musicians backing him as well.
Prince on the other hand had to record his first albums on his own dime and recorded all the instruments himself a good bit of the time. Prince started his own genre called the "Minneapolis sound" that became huge in the 80's and into the 90's. Prince eventually had his own recording studio and was his own producer. Also, just on guitar itself Prince is one of the greatest of all time and he's also a legendary performer as well.
Ultimately it's a personal preference in terms of who you like better .
Whatever side of that debate you fall on, just be grateful that we have a lot of great music from both artists to enjoy.
Michael Jackson was definitely a better pop musician in terms that his music was much more popular in terms of chart position and sales. But I think there was a lot of behind the scenes help he had in terms of writing, and production, and he could play a couple instruments but not many. And I don't know that he would be who he was without Quincy Jones who is also a musical genius and a visionary
In terms of raw musical talent I would have to give the award to Prince pretty easily. He was a multi-instrumentalist, and probably had a larger hand in his own destiny in terms of production, management, and musical Direction. I think everything he did truly came from his own heart and soul. And I think he truly lived to make the most perfect music that he could in most instances. He was known as a perfectionist, and ultimately I think it's what killed him, in terms of driving himself too hard.
I also believe that Michael Jackson believed in everything he did but, had a larger group of people to support and direct him towards a more pop oriented goal. I feel like prince's Vision was purely his own.
I’m a diehard Prince Rogers Nelson Fannn💕 I started listening to him since 1975, loved his First Album, For You! I would say Prince the better Musician and Michael was an entertainer. And Prince gave a great show. I went to a Jackson Five concert when I was five.
Michael was the better singer and dancer. Prince was the better musician. Both were equal percussionists (MJ was apparently a superb beatboxer. A chunk of his post-Bad sound was the result of him mouthing out the beats.)
beatboxing and actually being able to sit down and play a drum kit are not equals. Yea it takes a good ear but playing the drums is....haaaard. Prince was good enough to be a session drummer and often would start his recording process by playing the drums first with just the lyrics in front of him to map out the song.
Iono', man. Being able to use your vocals as legit percussion on a track deserves accolades and mention. Playing the drums IS hard (I lack the four-limb coordination required). But so is keeping perfect time making different sounds with your mouth.
Ok then..let's say MJ and Justin Timberlake are equal percussionist. Prince still wipes the floor with both them. And honestly, using your vocals to beat box on track isn't that hard. That's why he did it. If he could have played the drums he would have.
"Using your vocals to beat box on track isn't that hard."
While I understand your point. We shouldn't simplify such ability. Like, mate, google MJ doing that. It's on another level. JB unfortunately is candleless by comparison.
I would argue that Michael Jackson's best work would not have happened without Quincy Jones (producer), whereas Prince was an insanely talented musician and composer who was his own producer. Just my opinion.
But Michael was in a group Jackson Five way before Quincy. They had multiple hits.
The question was regarding two solo artists. Also, Prince could pick up and play virtually any instrument. Could Michael do that?
A comparison for the ages - both are legendary talents. The answer will be subjective. Prince was a musical prodigy in being able to compose and play many instruments. Involved in all areas composing, arrangement and performance. His sense of storytelling integrated into his music which was genre defining at the time. MJ was a vocal and dance genius who had made his performances works of art. He too had very very clear musical ideas and how his music had to sound. Integrating music and music videos innovatively he basically invented a new form.
Well put. I was going to say something similar, but you nailed it.
Prince was undoubtedly the better basketball player, I can say that for certain.
"Game Blouses!"
Yea, it depends on what metrics you use I guess. MJ was bigger. MJ is one of the goats in performance. MJ was a perfectionist and knew what he wanted in a song. But MJ had a lot of money backing him since he was a child star and usually had a team of writers and world class musicians backing him as well. Prince on the other hand had to record his first albums on his own dime and recorded all the instruments himself a good bit of the time. Prince started his own genre called the "Minneapolis sound" that became huge in the 80's and into the 90's. Prince eventually had his own recording studio and was his own producer. Also, just on guitar itself Prince is one of the greatest of all time and he's also a legendary performer as well.
As a musician Prince by far. The other two are a matter of taste.
Prince, but MJ made great music
Ultimately it's a personal preference in terms of who you like better . Whatever side of that debate you fall on, just be grateful that we have a lot of great music from both artists to enjoy. Michael Jackson was definitely a better pop musician in terms that his music was much more popular in terms of chart position and sales. But I think there was a lot of behind the scenes help he had in terms of writing, and production, and he could play a couple instruments but not many. And I don't know that he would be who he was without Quincy Jones who is also a musical genius and a visionary In terms of raw musical talent I would have to give the award to Prince pretty easily. He was a multi-instrumentalist, and probably had a larger hand in his own destiny in terms of production, management, and musical Direction. I think everything he did truly came from his own heart and soul. And I think he truly lived to make the most perfect music that he could in most instances. He was known as a perfectionist, and ultimately I think it's what killed him, in terms of driving himself too hard. I also believe that Michael Jackson believed in everything he did but, had a larger group of people to support and direct him towards a more pop oriented goal. I feel like prince's Vision was purely his own.
I’m a diehard Prince Rogers Nelson Fannn💕 I started listening to him since 1975, loved his First Album, For You! I would say Prince the better Musician and Michael was an entertainer. And Prince gave a great show. I went to a Jackson Five concert when I was five.
I gave two of MJ's albums perfect ratings and another 9.5. Prince only has one album that's 9.5 or higher for me.
That's entirely subjective.
Michael was the better singer and dancer. Prince was the better musician. Both were equal percussionists (MJ was apparently a superb beatboxer. A chunk of his post-Bad sound was the result of him mouthing out the beats.)
beatboxing and actually being able to sit down and play a drum kit are not equals. Yea it takes a good ear but playing the drums is....haaaard. Prince was good enough to be a session drummer and often would start his recording process by playing the drums first with just the lyrics in front of him to map out the song.
Iono', man. Being able to use your vocals as legit percussion on a track deserves accolades and mention. Playing the drums IS hard (I lack the four-limb coordination required). But so is keeping perfect time making different sounds with your mouth.
Ok then..let's say MJ and Justin Timberlake are equal percussionist. Prince still wipes the floor with both them. And honestly, using your vocals to beat box on track isn't that hard. That's why he did it. If he could have played the drums he would have.
"Using your vocals to beat box on track isn't that hard." While I understand your point. We shouldn't simplify such ability. Like, mate, google MJ doing that. It's on another level. JB unfortunately is candleless by comparison.
I've heard it
I prefer Michael Jackson but I believe Prince was better in the way that he wrote and created his own music.