JAY-Z made several now-viral comments during his Tuesday (Dec. 21) Twitter Spaces conversation with Alicia Keys and music executive Rob Markman. At one point in the evening chat, the hip hop mogul touched on the years-long debate fans have about Michael Jackson and Beyoncé.
When it comes to the crowning the greatest performer of all time, fans have a lot to say about both M.J. and Bey’s legendary runs. On Tuesday, Hov suggested that his wife is on-par, but not better, than Jackson, calling her an “evolution” of the iconic singer.
“Bey’s gonna be mad at this for saying this, but Michael Jackson never had a Coachella,” he said. “She’s an evolution of him because she watched him at 9 [years old]. And [the kids] are the same.”
“Find me a concert that’s as culturally relevant and thrilling as Coachella,” JAY continued. “Beyoncé is gonna be one of the best singers we ever heard because she is such a student.”
Of course, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s comments revived the heated debate between Bey and Jackson on Twitter.
Some disagreed with Hov, saying that Jackson surpassed Beyoncé even without having a national performance platform like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
“Respectfully Michael Jackson never needed anything like Coachella throughout his lifetime,” one person tweeted. “Michael Jackson has had double the audience of anything Beyoncé ever had. M.J. had people literally fainting and being transported on stretchers… No offense but M.J. is unmatched.”
Others argued the opposite way — that Beyoncé is a better artist than M.J. in her own right.
“To think that nobody can ever be a better artist than Michael Jackson is down right delusional. Beyoncé surpassed him years ago,” a fan wrote. “And if Beyoncé were a male, she would have been given that ‘GOAT’ title a long time ago.”
As reported by REVOLT, JAY-Z also claimed during the Twitter Spaces conversation that no one can go up against him in a Verzuz battle. See more of the revived Michael Jackson vs. Beyoncé conversation on debate below.
I Love Beyoncé but don’t take it too far saying she’s better than Michael Jackson
— Ty (@tysorosey) December 22, 2021
To think that nobody can ever be a better artist than Michael Jackson is down right delusional. Beyoncé surpassed him years ago. And if Beyoncé were a male, she would have been given that “GOAT” title a long time ago.
— kennedy. (@HelloKennedi) December 22, 2021
Arguing about Beyonce and Michael Jackson is just something I feel like we should never do. Just like when people get to comparing Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Some topics are just off limits because it never ends well lol
— The Last 🔝 (@LikeMike_911) December 22, 2021
“Michael Jackson ain’t never have a Coachella. [Beyonce] is an evolution of him”- Jay-Z
Not mad at this.
— Keith Nelson Jr (@JusAire) December 22, 2021
I see the annual Michael Jackson and Beyoncé debate has surfaced. Y’all aren’t tired?! It’s every year with the same rinse and repeat hot takes. Free yourselves! Go wrap some gifts! Shit.
— ᴅᴏʟʟᴀʀ (@callmedollar) December 22, 2021
Jay Z saying Beyoncé bigger than Michael Jackson is the exact type shit a man gotta say about his wife when she caught him in some bullshit before lol I respect it
— TP (@OGxTP) December 22, 2021
I love Beyoncé. Down. But there is no artist that has ever lived that has touched Michael Jackson’s stardom. Literally no one. That is the biggest star of all time. And it’s time to put the debate to rest.
— Brittany♚ (@britshaniece) December 22, 2021
respectfully michael jackson never needed anything like coachella throughout his lifetime. michael jackson has had double the audience of anything beyonce ever had. mj had people literally fainting and being transported on stretchers.. no offense but mj is unmatched. https://t.co/r4DBXaDLtb
— s k y 🕊 (@skylcrxo) December 22, 2021
Jay Z is comparing Beyonce to Michael Jackson when it comes to Coachella, but Michael left before various ave of digital streaming were created. He was pulling Coachella's reaction at any given concert without social media and entertainment platforms.
— Pamela Isley (@MoodiesPoint) December 22, 2021
IDGAF what Jay Z has to say about Mike. His little speech is irrelevant to me. Michael Jackson didn’t need a COACHELLA, period. He setting up his own wife up, leave them both alone. Beyoncé is the super talented and inspirational Beyoncé. And Michael Jackson is Michael Jackson.✨ https://t.co/KsY8UzcsTR
— adrian grant (@dakidisnotmyson) December 22, 2021
to everybody that’s comparing michael jackson & beyoncé rn: pic.twitter.com/4HdN3jDv1d
— andy ᴹ♚ᴶ (@moonwalkghostin) December 22, 2021
Beyoncé was pregnant & singin upside down at FWT, pregnant & throwin up when she did glastonbury, sick when she sang her face off at oprah's show. Michael jackson sprained his ankle & did an entire perfomance sittin down & lipsyncin for his life. the bar is SO low for men.TUH
— 𝕬𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖓𝖆 (fan account) (@Athenadrip) December 22, 2021
“Michael Jackson had people fainting at his concerts”
Ok Beyoncé has that too tho🥴
Fans are fans and have nothing to do with artists being the greatest performer of all time. pic.twitter.com/HtBaMksW0Q
— 👑 ℚ𝕦𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕪 👑 (@Queen_ShayBae) December 22, 2021
Beyoncé hasn’t surpassed Michael Jackson in anyway https://t.co/9SFEG3suVC
— I GAVE YOU A GRACE PERIOD (@DaMenace1404) December 22, 2021
Now that Jay-Z brought this mess to the table, it's time to talk, what talent does Michael Jackson have that Beyoncé hasn't surpassed?
And please do not come with that "people fainted at his concerts" because that is not talent, it is dehydration.
— Zech. (@KnowlesZech) December 22, 2021
A lot of y’all ain’t paid #MichaelJackson ANY damn attention since he passed in2009, but all of a sudden he “can’t be compared” because #JayZ said that #Beyonce is as great as him? Factually speaking, Beyoncé is a better vocalist than Michael🤷🏽♂️💯💯 pic.twitter.com/uq78mFiHuv
— Royalchild89 (@Royalchild89) December 22, 2021
here’s my take: the only thing separating beyoncé from michael jackson is the way that celebrity status has transformed since the last century. there’s no way beyoncé could reach the level of celebrity that MJ had.
now if we’re talking about TALENT … pic.twitter.com/b9EG4ih94v
— norris jay (@thenorrisjay) December 22, 2021
No… Beyonce isn't better than Michael Jackson.
Better than Janet? Yes.
Michael made and album 39 years ago that's still number one all time worldwide in sales.
— NewDemocrat4Life (@reesetheone1) December 22, 2021