Why is Michael Jackson called the King of Pop because Elizabeth Taylor introduced him as “the true king of pop, rock and soul” on April 12, 1989. His team then pushed the short version through MTV in 1991. His record sales, videos and dance moves kept it alive. Read on for the full timeline.
Quick Summary
- How he landed that name: Taylor revealed it when he introduced himself during the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards, and his press agents spread it around two years later.
- Highlights to remember: ‘Thriller’, which won a record-breaking eight Grammys in one night, iconic music videos and the moonwalk, having something for everyone to love.
- Still got it? Yes, say most fans. His 2026 biopic breaks $1 billion and his streams top a career-high.
Michael Jackson King of Pop Quick Facts
| Detail | Fact |
| First public use | April 12, 1989 |
| Who said it | Elizabeth Taylor |
| Event | Third Soul Train Music Awards, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles |
| Her words | “The true king of pop, rock and soul” |
| MTV memo | November 11, 1991 |
| Grammys in one night | 8 (February 28, 1984) |
| Career Grammys | 13 from 38 nominations |
| Guinness record | Most Successful Entertainer of All Time |
Who First Called Michael Jackson King of Pop?
Elizabeth Taylor did, and she did it live on stage.
What Elizabeth Taylor Said at the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards
Taylor and comedian Eddie Murphy presented Jackson with the Heritage Award for career achievement at the third Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles. UPI’s report from that week confirms that Taylor called him “the true king of pop, rock and soul.” Taylor was one of his closest friends, so the tribute felt personal.
Why Taylor’s Words Were Longer Than the Title We Know
She said “pop, rock and soul,” not only pop. Over time people kept the shortest part because it was easy to say. The nickname was never an official prize either. Soul Train gave him the Heritage Award, and the title simply caught on.
Who Called Michael Jackson the King of Pop After 1989?
The 1991 MTV Memo Before “Black or White”
Rolling Stone reports that MTV circulated a memo dated November 11, 1991, the week before the “Black or White” video aired. It told on-air staff to call Jackson “the King of Pop” at least twice a week for two weeks.
Bob Jones and the Publicity Push
Larry Stessel, an Epic Records executive, shared the story in the oral history I Want My MTV. Jackson told him he wanted a nickname like “The Boss” or “The King.” Stessel warned that the press would tear him apart. Jackson hired publicist Bob Jones anyway, and Jones sent out a release. “Michael went rogue on us,” Stessel said.
Did Michael Jackson Call Himself the King of Pop?
Not first. Taylor said it in 1989, but his team did push the short form in 1991.
Michael Jackson Songs and Performances That Earned the Title
Thriller and the Eight Grammys of 1984
At the 26th Grammy Awards on February 28, 1984, Jackson won eight awards from 12 nominations, and only Santana has matched that night since. Thriller also spent 37 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. “We were all in a state,” he later wrote about that evening in his 1988 memoir Moonwalk. See our Thriller album guide for more.
Motown 25 and “Billie Jean”
On March 25, 1983, Jackson sang “Billie Jean” on the Motown 25 TV special. Founder Berry Gordy had to persuade him to appear. Jackson agreed on one condition, a solo spot, even though the song wasn’t a Motown release. The crowd stood before the first drumbeat, and the moonwalk made its live TV debut.
Michael Jackson Signature Dance Moves
The Moonwalk and Where It Really Came From
Jackson didn’t invent the moonwalk. It started in street dance, and he picked it up from friends before he made it famous. Broadway dancer Jared Grimes said, “Michael Jackson was really good at doing the robot style and isolations.” Our moonwalk explainer covers the full history.
The Glove, Spins and the Smooth Criminal Lean
Fans also remember the single sequined glove and the Smooth Criminal lean. Each one works as visual shorthand for his stage style.
Michael Jackson Music Industry Innovation
How Short Films Changed Music Videos and MTV
Videos were new when MTV launched in 1981, and Jackson treated them like small films. “Billie Jean,” “Beat It” and “Thriller” came with tight choreography and high production value, as Biography.com notes. Several accounts also say he became one of the first Black artists in heavy rotation on MTV.
Record Sales and Chart Firsts
Thriller was the first album to produce seven Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, according to the Recording Academy. Guinness World Records estimates it sold more than 67 million copies worldwide, though it says figures differ widely by source. The RIAA certified it at 34 million US units in 2021. Bad also reached RIAA Diamond status for 10 million US units in 2017.
Michael Jackson Worldwide Recognition
Guinness World Records and Sales Totals
Guinness lists him as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time. He won 13 Grammys from 38 nominations and had 13 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Epic Records chief L.A. Reid once called him “simply the greatest, and biggest artist of all time.”
Honors Across Decades
The Recording Academy gave him the Grammy Legend Award in 1993 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, after his death. He also entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.
Michael Jackson Influence on Modern Artists
Artists Who Credit Him
A 2026 BlackAmericaWeb roundup says Usher credits Jackson for his performance style, which mixes singing with choreography. The same piece links Beyoncé’s stage presence and Bruno Mars’ showmanship to his example. Chartmetric found that 82% of his Spotify listeners are under 35. His monthly listeners hit about 105 million, a career high, after the biopic Michael crossed $1 billion at the box office.
His reach is global. Mexico City, London, São Paulo, Santiago and Sydney are now his top Spotify cities. For more on how he shaped today’s pop stars, see our Michael Jackson legacy article.
Is There a New King of Pop?
Rolling Stone UK called Harry Styles the “New King of Pop” in a 2022 cover announcement. La Toya Jackson answered that “no one can ever top” her brother, according to Black Enterprise.
Does the Title Still Fit Today?
Not everyone agrees. Musician Mike Scott of The Waterboys wrote in 2009 that the throne is “a revolving chair.” Public debate also surrounds Jackson’s legacy because of serious allegations, and Luminate Data says the “separating art from the artist” question may keep some listeners away. Still, the numbers back the nickname. Kworb ranked him the world’s top streaming artist in May 2026, ahead of Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Bad Bunny.
FAQs
Why is Michael Jackson considered the King of Pop?
In 1989, Elizabeth Taylor called him the ‘true king of pop, rock and soul’. Then he ushered in Thriller, won eight Grammys in one night, released a series of groundbreaking videos, and performed the moonwalk.
Is Michael Jackson known as the King of Pop?
Yes. The nickname has gained widespread use in popular books and on websites for him worldwide, but no authority has ever actually conferred the nickname as an official honor.
Who Marked Michael Jackson as the King of Pop, and Did He Name Himself?
Elizabeth Taylor did it first on April 12, 1989. It was his group who unleashed it through MTV in 1991, so he wasn’t responsible for the phrase, but he did bring it to life.
Who is the actual King of Pop?
Most fans and the media however call him Michael Jackson. But the official king doesn’t currently exist. Elvis Presley was once the King of Rock and Roll, The Queen of Soul (Aretha Franklin) was nominated before a live audience by a disc jockey in 1968.
Who was the King of Pop before Michael Jackson?
Nobody officially holds the title. In 2009, Mike Scott of The Waterboys opined that Frank Sinatra,
Who is a bigger pop star than Michael Jackson?
It depends on the measure. Guinness calls Jackson the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time, while Taylor Swift remains the biggest artist overall on Spotify.
How many Grammy Awards did Michael Jackson win?
Thirteen from 38 nominations. Eight of them came on a single night in 1984.
When was Michael Jackson born and when did he die?
He was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana. He died on June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles at age 50.
How did Michael Jackson die?
Acute propofol intoxication. The coroner ruled it a homicide on August 28, 2009, and his doctor Conrad Murray was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Taylor lit the spark in 1989, and Jackson’s team carried it forward in 1991. His records, videos and dance moves gave the nickname real weight. For more on his career, explore our other Michael Jackson articles.
