Michael Jackson vs. Prince - Who's more talented?

[Takes Two To Tango]

This is not about who's more popular and who had a bigger impact. Just who's more talented musically speaking overall. From singing, playing music, dancing, writing songs all of the above.

I love Michael Jackson, I think he's one of most iconic singers/performers of all-time and I prefer his music over Prince. But I think Prince is more talented imo.

 

[13Seconds]

I guess Prince is the better musician technically speaking (I don't even think MJ played any instruments?) But MJ was mad creative and a way better performer.

At the end it's about personal preference. For me, other than a few songs i just can't get into Prince music. Most of it sounds outdated now. But MJ's music is timeless and doesn't sound outdated at all.

 

[FlyingDeathKick]

MJ and it's not particularly close imo

 

[Koala]

singing: MJ by far
playing music: Prince by far
dancing: MJ by far
writing songs: Prince used to joke about MJ's lyrics

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

I guess Prince is the better musician technically speaking (I don't even think MJ played any instruments?) But MJ was mad creative and a way better performer.

At the end it's about personal preference. For me, other than a few songs i just can't get into Prince music. Most of it sounds outdated now. But MJ's music is timeless and doesn't sound outdated at all.

That so true about Michael. I'm probably underestimating his talent. But yeah no question about the creativity and performance level of Michael Jackson.

And yes MJ music is transcending and timeless.

 

[Sweater of AV]

Dancing, performing, vocals etc is obviously Mike. Instrument-wise, it's Prince by a hilariously wide margin. Both are great songwriters in their own right but Prince also gets the nod here.

Two of the GOATs.

 

[Tone C]

Prince as a musician, MJ as an entertainer.

 

[jefferz]

More talented? Prince by a large margin.
On his first album he did all the vocals, and played 27 different instruments.

 

[Other]

Prince as a musician, MJ as an entertainer.

I wouldn't discredit MJ too much. He'd often sit with Quincy Jones to get the melodies he had in his head out. He actually wrote a lot of his music.

But it's Prince by a mile.

 

[Osculater]

MJ had the moves, the vocals, the songs, and the music videos. His songs are still bangers and timeless

 

[I Am Legion]

It's a toss up. Equal singing voices. Michael has the dancing. Prince has the Guitar. I would say MJ has had more impact. MJ could sell out a Football stadium at any time in his career and was way more accessible musically.

 

[Tone C]

I wouldn't discredit MJ too much. He'd often sit with Quincy Jones to get the melodies he had in his head out. He actually wrote a lot of his music.

But it's Prince by a mile.

Oh , I wasn't disparaging MJ's musical skills or saying he was crap at writing songs but rather that Prince is much more of a pure writing musician than MJ and for all of Prince's theatrics MJ was better to watch on stage etc .

 

[GoodBadHBK]

MJ is the better singer and dancer
Prince probably won't molest your children

 

[Vampire life]

Prince actually wrote his own music
Jackson paid for “hits” yes he wrote a few but who knows
Prince played several instruments, Jackson played the skin flute
Jackson had no vocal range at all- one trick pony
Prince could do a falsetto , baritone and tenor
Jackson was a more creative dance choreographer
Prince had better high heels

 

[Tone C]

MJ is the better singer and dancer
Prince probably won't molest your children

To be fair, neither of them will now ...

 

[William Huggins]

Prince as a musician, MJ as an entertainer.

This basically hits the nail on the head it's comparing apples with oranges.

 

[AGGAMEMNON66]

Prince could invite you over for a thorough ass kicking on his personal basketball court then feed you the finest pancakes he made himself.


Prince wins this easily

 

[Other]

Oh , I wasn't disparaging MJ's musical skills or saying he was crap at writing songs but rather that Prince is much more of a pure writing musician than MJ and for all of Prince's theatrics MJ was better to watch on stage etc .

That's what I took it as, now fight me!

No, I'm kidding. I was trying to find the video I saw not too long ago where MJ was coming up with the melody for Beat it and he was humming it with Quincy Jones and Steve Lukather I think. It was an audio recording from the studio.

 

[Rob Battisti]

Don’t make me choose between the goats

 

[ChosenOne]

Ya this one is impossible to judge.

Prince is one of the most well rounded musicians of all time and true great in every area, from vocals, to performance to instruments of all kind.

And while Michael is no where near as well rounded, where Michael is good, he is truly without peers. He is the top R&B/Pop artist of all time and by a wide margin.

So it depends on what you value more.