'Just no': Michael Jackson's fans enraged after Forbes cover calls Bad Bunny the 'king of pop'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A leading magazine has termed the Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny the new ‘King of Pop’ and the Internet is not happy.
In a recent profile by Forbes Magazine, the 29-year-old singer has been termed as "El Rey Del Pop” on their magazine cover.
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With billions of streaming minutes by his name, Bad Bunny - whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio - is often called the ‘king of streaming', the 'king of reggaeton', and the 'king of Latin music'.
The outlet raved about the singer who found himself well-placed on Forbes’ list of the most successful singers under the age of 30, per Marca.
However, the new moniker left the fans of the original 'King of Pop' Michael Jackson fuming as they felt it was a slight to the superstar.
'There will never be another Michael Jackson'
Fans slammed the publication and Bad Bunny over the controversial claim.
One of them said, "King of Pop with what talent, impact, and global reach? He’s not even a Pop artist…."
King of Pop with what talent, impact, and global reach? He’s not even a Pop artist….
— 𝑇𝑎𝑧𝑖𝑟𝑖 (@lallataziri) November 27, 2023
"Just no. There was only one King of Pop and he doesn’t even compare to him," said someone else.
Just no. There was only one King of Pop and he doesn’t even compare to him.
— Michele L #MariahSZN (@Michele808) November 27, 2023
"The king of pop title is not a inherited title to he thrown around, it belongs to Michael Jackson! There is no new king of pop. This title is copyrighted, Michael Jackson didn't do decades of dedication and sacrifice for magazine covers who don't own the title to gain attention by saying it. Michael Jackson revolutionized the industry. He is the industry! There will never be another Michael Jackson," another hardcore fan wrote.
The king of pop title is not a inherited title to he thrown around, it belongs to Michael Jackson! There is no new king of pop. This title is copyrighted, Michael Jackson didn't do decades of dedication and sacrifice for magazine covers who don't own the title to gain attention… pic.twitter.com/JW40c7qzjv
— Kelly Jackson (Michael Jacksons) wife (@KellyBills14) November 27, 2023
"Michael Jackson sold out his concerts in Brazil, South Africa and Japan. Bad Bunny is not even known in these countries...," a user noted.
Michael Jackson sold out his concerts in Brazil, South Africa and Japan.
— 𝖛𝖆𝖗𝖌 𝖛𝖎𝖐𝖊𝖗𝖓𝖊𝖘 𝕮𝖔𝖗𝖗𝖔𝖓𝖈𝖍𝖔 🐍 (@PayasoMala0nda) November 27, 2023
Bad Bunny is not even known in these countries...
"I wish people would stop comparing artists, there will never be another Michael Jackson..," said someone else.
I wish people would stop comparing artists, there will never be another Michael Jackson..
— DANI (@NICKISANDVNI) November 27, 2023
Someone else declared, "Fraudulent. Hes literally not even in the pop genre."
Forbes on Bad Bunny
The outlet gushed about the singer and said, "If there is a constant in Bad Bunny, who is 29 years old, it is that everything he creates becomes a worldwide hit.”
Forbes also highlighted on their Instagram account, “In April, Bad Bunny made history as the first Latin artist to headline the Coachella music festival. And he's done it all while singing solely in Spanish."
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The magazine continued to praise him by raving about the numbers, adding, "His YouTube channel has attracted over 32 billion views, more than Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, and, yes, Taylor Swift. He has won three Grammy Awards and 11 Latin Grammys."
Earning around $88 million (excluding taxes) in the last fiscal year, Bad Bunny was also one of the highest-paid artists of 2022, per the magazine.