Amaarae Declares Janet Jackson the ‘Real King of Pop,’ Says No Shade to Michael Jackson

Amaarae has stirred debate online after declaring that Janet Jackson deserves the title “King of Pop” more than her late brother, Michael Jackson.

The Ghanaian-American singer made the comment while discussing the influence of Janet Jackson’s 1997 album, The Velvet Rope, during an interview with Pitchfork.

Amaarae praised the album for its emotional depth, bold themes, and experimental sound, describing it as one of the greatest pop projects ever made.

“Every Janet Jackson album is fantastic. But ‘The Velvet Rope’ is the best,” she said.

The singer explained that if she had been older when the album was released in 1997, she would have listened to it constantly because of its raw honesty and artistic direction.

“It’s so vulnerable, sexy, aggressive and experimental,” Amaarae added while reflecting on the project’s impact on her musical taste and creative outlook.

She then made the statement that quickly sparked reactions across social media platforms.

“Janet, to me, is the real king of pop. No shade to Michael Jackson,” she said.

The remark has generated mixed reactions among music fans, with some defending Michael Jackson’s legendary influence on global pop culture, while others agreed that Janet Jackson’s artistry and innovation have often been underrated.

Michael Jackson is widely recognised worldwide as the “King of Pop,” a title earned through his record-breaking career, groundbreaking music videos, and enormous cultural impact.

Meanwhile, Janet Jackson has long been celebrated for pushing boundaries in pop and R&B music, especially with albums like Control, Rhythm Nation 1814 and The Velvet Rope.

Amaarae’s comments have once again reignited conversations about Janet Jackson’s influence on modern pop music and whether her contributions have received enough recognition compared to her brother’s global legacy.