Top 10 Times Hip-Hop Rappers Referenced Michael Jackson in their Songs
It's no secret that rappers and Hip-Hop artists have been referencing the man with the sparkling glove in their music for decades. As Hip-Hop was rapidly evolving as a genre in the late '70s and early '80s, Michael Jackson was in what many would say was his prime.It only makes sense that he has had an impact on the Hip-Hop genre and culture, even if he was known as The King of Pop, Rock, and Soul. These references are usually made through similes, by praising or mocking him, or with casual mentions in their lyrics.
On this charismatic intro, Missy cheekily references a famous (or infamous) MJ moment.
"I can take your man, I don't have to sex 'em.
Hang 'em out the window, call me Michael Jackson."
On this stellar one-verse track, Joey Bada$$ cleverly references MJ three times in a clap against his haters and rivals.
"Tell these haters 'Beat it,' can't jack, son, Thriller.
I'm the n*ga that you see when you're in the mirror."
MJ's multi-diamond album Thriller is mentioned once again in this hard-hitting Wu collab.
Ghostface Killah: "I sell goods, my whole Clan is on the run like Natural Born Killers.
Record-breakin' the album Thriller."
Underground heavyweight Erick Sermon mentions and compares himself to Mike a few times on this smooth song.
Verse 1: "And plus I'm bad as Michael Jackson, even though he Dangerous." This is, of course, referencing MJ's hit Bad and album Dangerous.
Verse 2: "Why? I'm like the Michael Jackson of rap
I'm bad, plus I moonwalk over tracks
I am still, so a-mazin'."
In this charismatic party song, Nas creatively compares his mental or physical state with the (now infamous) estate of Michael Jackson, Neverland.
"I'm so high I never land like Mike Jackson's crib."
In 50 and Em's first of two collaborations on the album, 50 Cent says:
"You goin' against me, dawg, you're makin' a mistake.
I'll split ya, leave you lookin' like the Michael Jackson jackets with all them zippers."
KXNG CROOKED smoothly raps:
"I just moonwalk all over the beat, then I'm lightin' up the street.
CROOKED goin' Michael Jackson on Thriller.
I'm a psychopath, I'm a killer."
In a song full of "what if" questions, Jada closes his first verse with a comment on MJ's changing skin color.
"What if Mike Jackson never woulda bleached his skin?"
Half of Compton's Most Wanted, MC Eiht, said:
"I said 'Y'all in?', never stood too tall.
Like Mike outta motherf**ker Off the Wall."
The Newcomers
In the song's last verse, J. Cole pays homage to late music greats, including MJ.
"Rest in peace to Aaliyah
Rest in peace to Left Eye (Left Eye)
Michael Jackson, I'll see ya
Just as soon as I die (I die)."