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| Does the King have a successor? |
There is simply no question that Michael Jackson is and always will be the definitive King of Pop.
However, every great king has a successor.
While MJ's achievements may never, ever, be duplicated in history, pop music does need a visionary artist to inspire the future generations. So, looking at the current pop landscape, here are the five most likely princes who will aim for the difficult-to-reach throne.
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| Usher |
Usher performed with Michael at his 30th Anniversary celebration concert (that I attended), sang at his memorial service and at the Grammys tribute earlier this year. That's a pretty impressive apprenticeship. Talk about his potential successor started around the release of 2004's
Confessions, which was critically lauded and spawned four #1 hits (one less than Michael's
Bad). In his career, he's hit the top spot with nine singles, making him one of the most successful artists in US chart history.
Confessions sold over 10 million copies and is one of the last Diamond certified albums. He's already beginning to prep the next generation, mentoring teen sensation Justin Bieber.
King of Pop? It could happen.
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| Justin Timberlake |
Justin Timberlake, in the mid-2000's, was considered Usher's biggest rival to the throne. Originally a child star (like Michael), he grew up into a certified megastar (sort of like Michael). His album
FutureSex/LoveSounds was a global smash, spawning three number-one hits, including his signature "SexyBack". He also had the privilege of performing with MJ at the 2001 VMAs with NSYNC. Oh yeah, that group. He was kind of successful with them too, to the tune of 56 million records sold worldwide, and two Diamond albums. Unfortunately, he's been cooling his heels on the solo front, deciding to either feature on other songs or play golf, resulting in him slipping a bit in his bid for a place in pop royalty.
King of Pop? When he gets his butt back in the studio, possible.
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| Chris Brown |
Chris Brown and Michael Jackson have a lot of common, on the personal front. Both were drenched in terrible scandal. Michael had the child molestation allegations, while Brown physically abused pop princess Rihanna. Despite their troubles, they maintained a loyal fanbase. However, the rest of the world sort of fell off with them. For a while there, it looked like Chris might follow MJ's footsteps (in another way). He is one of, if not the, best dancers in pop music. He crafted some inescapable pop hits. Too bad his scandal hit him at an age where he still suffered from a sense of entitlement and immaturity, resulting in terrible PR choices that tarnished his image. Now, he's recording music videos for an underground mix tape with Young Money rapper. How the could've-been mighty have fallen.
King of Pop? Doubtful, but anything can happen.
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| Kanye West |
I balked at rumors circulating that
Kanye West declared himself the new King of Pop. It turned out to be not true, but it got me thinking. Yes, his ego is the size of China, but then, so was Michael's. Either that, or he thought floating big statues of himself down European rivers in 1995 was a charity mission. While I don't really want to boost his ego, Kanye's success and status as one of music's greatest minds can't be challenged. His last album,
808's and Heartbreak, set a new pop standard, and was critically lauded. He's landed atop the pop charts twice, and four more times in the top 5. And let's not forget when he thrashed 50 Cent in that first week sales battle in 2007, selling just shy of a million. With his new album due in September, we'll see if those fake boasts hold any weight.
King of Pop? He might think so.
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| Ne-Yo |
Ne-Yo was tapped by the King of Pop to help write what would have been a new album. No one else here can claim that. Of course, it would not come to pass, but Ne-Yo has made it a goal of his to emulate his biggest idol. While his personal chart achievements don't shine as bright as the others on this list, that doesn't put him out of the running. He does have his own #1 hit, while he has written some of the biggest hits of the last decade for some of the biggest artists of the decade. He also happens to be the complete package; singer, dancer, songwriter, all things MJ excelled at. His new album
Libra Scale is out in September, we'll see then if that complete package can stand the test of time.
King of Pop? Definitely some more time needed.
Anyone you think I forgot, or will there ever be someone that could rule pop like Michael did? Share your thoughts.
5. Enrique Iglesias - He blew up during the Latin Invasion of the late 90's, but his career fizzled out at the turn of the new millennium, with his last hit being 2001's "Hero". Thanks to the Gaga-bred dance-pop explosion this year, the Latin lover caught an epic second wind. "I Like It", the first single off his latest album Euphoria, reached the top 10 of many countries, including the United States, where it reached #4. His next single, "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)", is already burning its way up the iTunes chart, guaranteeing him success well into 2011. I guess we missed the mole more than we thought.
4. Usher - The King of R&B returned to his throne this year with very successful album Raymond v. Raymond, which spawned the ubiquitous smash "OMG", which #1 on the charts. He also celebrated the success of his protege Justin Bieber, who just won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards. After the disappointment that was 2008's Here I Stand, 2010 was proof that Usher was the premier male pop star of the moment. Now if only he would get that haircut..
3. The British Royal Family - Let's be honest: the thirteen years since the passing of Princess Diana have been relatively uneventful. Sure, Charles married Camilla, and Harry became the troublemaker after bouts with swastika costumes and pot, but compared to the years of Diana, it's been quiet. That changed when Prince William, the second in line to the throne, announced that he would finally be marrying his long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton. Almost instantaneously, the world went absolutely bonkers over the engagement. The world's media plastered them across the front pages, speculating on everything from the wedding date to Kate's future role. Her status as a future pop culture figure has already been set; she was featured on Barbra Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People and the dresses she's worn in public have become instant best-sellers. The world, who probably didn't care less about the Windsors two months ago, now wait with baited breath over the April nuptials of the future King and Queen.
2. Rihanna - OK, so it's not really that much of a comeback, but Rihanna definitely regained lost ground on the pop landscape this past year. The Bajan beauty featured on the biggest record of 2010, Eminem's "Love The Way You Lie", and scored two #1 hits of her own with "Only Girl (In The World)" and "What's My Name". Her new album Loud gave her the highest first week sales of her career, although she hasn't been able to get that coveted #1 spot, yet. Also, she has fans cracking up with her witty, shady comments on Twitter and guessing about her love life, in a good way. It's nice to see that she's moved past the drama of last year.
Today, R&B superstar Usher officially released "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love", the lead single from his upcoming EP Versus. The single features rapper Pitbull, and follows the electropop style of his massive #1 single "OMG". It's quite ironic that Usher is releasing another pop song, after he reportedly bashed British artists like Jay Sean and Taio Cruz for watering down the R&B genre with their pop hybrids.
R&B king Usher has announced the release of a new record, just months after his latest effort Raymond v. Raymond.
Remember my post about R&B singer Usher's fury with Benny Medina over his album sales?
