Harry Styles Sparks Backlash Over “New King of Pop” Title

The singer Harry Styles has unintentionally upset dedicated fans of Michael Jackson by being labeled the “New King of Pop” on a magazine cover.

Rolling Stone featured the headline “Harry Styles: How the New King of Pop Set the Music World on Fire,” with Styles shirtless on the cover, donning a white fur coat and holding a birthday cake with lit candles.

Many Jackson supporters took to social media to voice their disapproval. Michael Jackson’s nephew, Taj Jackson, publicly stated, “There is no new King of Pop. The title has been retired. Decades of dedication and sacrifice belong to my uncle,” sharing a photo of Jackson’s album cover as proof.

Actress Yvette Nicole Brown supported Taj’s stance, tweeting, “Let them know, Taj!” She also addressed accusations that the “King of Pop” title had never been formally retired, comparing it to the iconic “King of Rock & Roll” title, currently associated with Elvis Presley.

Twitter user @iamveronica777 emphasized Jackson’s legacy, asserting, “Michael Jackson is the King of Pop of EVERY generation—an artist who broke racial barriers and revolutionized music from a young age.”

Some comments highlighted racial issues, criticizing the celebration of a white artist over a Black legend. User @ultralovedeluxe remarked, “They love disrespecting Black artists who worked harder for their achievements,” while @AmalieB94 pointed out the pattern of white artists receiving such titles, referencing Jackson’s race and influence.

Journalist Alexis Oatman questioned whether Rolling Stone truly called Styles the “new” King of Pop, while sports broadcaster Chris Williamson questioned the relevance of Jackson’s absence from the cover, emphasizing that Jackson was the original icon.

Hip hop artist Chika commented that being called the “new king of pop” requires racial boundaries to be shattered, implying that such titles are often racially motivated.

Reflecting on Jackson’s enduring influence, writer Tenille Clarke noted, “That is a true legacy,” recalling that in 2003, Rolling Stone previously dubbed Justin Timberlake as a contender for the title.

Music producer Chuck Inglish acknowledged Styles’s talent but criticized the label as “an aggressive move,” warning it set him up for failure. Journalist Marc Griffin described the title as “extremely telling” and “embarrassing” for the industry.