Uncanny parallells between this and the Wiley/Stormzy thread imo. Stormzy is a false construct much as MJ is- some great songs and a rabid fanbase (i am not comparing status or legacy of the two here), but ultimately they are pandering to the crowd and aiming straight for a populist jugular.
Whereas Prince & Wiley are ploughing slightly off-centre and, I would argue, highly personal ideals. There are occasional diversions into populist avenues, and there's no question that they're immensely talented, but ultimately their music is full of strange idiosyncrasies and ticks. You could even reference the extended Paisley Park universe as a parallel to Roll Deep/BBK etc- there is a huge focus in Prince's lineage to furthering the careers of really niche pet projects and Wiley is the same. Tinchy Stryder as Sheila E. The rebelllion against record labels, perverse moments of self-sabotage and endless output with huge periods of shite inbetween.
Personally although MJ had some amazing songs over the years, ultimately he's just a vessel for the production team/songwriters imo. I don't believe a word of any of it- maybe the nonce rumours cloud everything- and ultimately, for all the astonishing output during his peak, he's just a product of a pop machine. Plus when he went shit he really went shit- have you tried listening to HIstory? Its fucking abysmal.
Whereas Prince might be boring and shit and weird at times, but at least his music is real and authentic, true to him, however odd and sleazy it can be. (Although i view the sleaze as a positive). Peak Prince has a lot more depth and personality. Plus he wrote I Feel For You.
If anyone voted for both MJ and Stormzy- was the Wiley thread a poll? - then I would have severe reservations about their character and ban them from discussion tbh. Embracing the false plasticity as opposed to the frayed character, revealing slightly too much.