The ‘Billie Jean’ singer – who tragically died aged 50 in 2009 – is widely regarded as one of the most iconic musicians of the 20th century.
Throughout his career, Jackson was awarded 13 Grammy Awards, six Brit Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, and 24 American Music Awards.
Plus, he holds 20 Guinness Records.
While Styles, 29, shot to fame on The X Factor in the boyband group One Direction.
He’s since gone on to become a solo artist and has dropped three studio albums.
Although Styles has a huge fanbase and has won three Grammy Awards throughout his career, people aren’t happy that he’s now being dubbed the ‘new King of Pop’.
It all started when Rolling Stone published a piece on the ‘As It Was’ singer that made a bold statement.
“Harry Styles: How the new King of Pop set the music world aflame,” it was titled.
While a younger audience may believe Styles has rightfully earned the crown, not everyone agrees.
Jackson’s own family has even spoken out, condemning the title.
Retweeting the cover on X (formerly known as Twitter), Jackson’s nephew Taj said: “Here is no new King of Pop.
“You don’t own the title @RollingStone, and you didn’t earn it, my uncle did.
“Decades of dedication and sacrifice. The title has been retired.
“No disrespect to @Harry_Styles, he’s mega-talented.”
Taj then suggested that Styles be given his ‘own unique title’ instead of taking his uncle’s.
There is no new King of Pop. You don’t own the title @RollingStone, and you didn’t earn it, my uncle did. Decades of dedication and sacrifice. The title has been retired. No disrespect to @Harry_Styles, he’s mega talented. Give him his own unique title. https://t.co/td6SSSVkfX
— Taj Jackson (@tajjackson3) August 22, 2022
Taj’s post has been retweeted more than a staggering 11,600 times and thousands are taking to the comments to agree with him.
One person tweets: “I’m a huge Harry Styles fan but no. He is not the new King of Pop. There is no new King of Pop.”
“100% agree,” another adds. “When Michael Jackson departed this world, the title of King of Pop left with him.
“It’s an insult to give that label to anyone considering the struggles the Jackson family went through back in the day to get to where they are. It’s retired.”
While a third person comments: “Well said Taj!! The King of Pop title is owned by your uncle and him only.”
However, others are taking to the comments and defending Styles being given the title.
“I mean… let’s use context clues… The NEW King of Pop… which means there was/is a FIRST King of Pop… which is your uncle. We all know this. Let people also shine,” one person argues.
Another user comments: “He is the new King of Pop, deal with it.”
