I read this on another website and i thought that was interesting enough to debate.

Whod you think was more popular Between Bob Marley and Michael Jackson and why...Keep in mind this is not a who's better or VS debate but more versus what they've accomplished, their fan base etc....They are both great performer and singers....

Here's what the person had to say

I read an email yesterday that Bob Marley was more popular than Michael Jackson in the non-white world up to the time of Jackson’s death. The email was forwarded from a local paper but did not say if things had changed after Jackson died. It did not give figures about most of Africa for obvious reason as internet penetration on that continent remains low for the most part.

In all of this, when I got the email I smiled because I thought both were kings in their own right but to compare them was a bit unfair to both. And, while it was a good twist to the whole Jackson saga as well as something we should be happy for as Jamaicans and I am happy, I still maintain that to compare them is unfair to both.

Firstly, lest we forget both were loved by white audiences and both are legends. Both also have the adoration of non-white audiences too.

Bob Marley is the King of reggae. His appeal is universal and his music inspired and still inspires millions. He blazed a trail for others to follow and only began to receive most of his accolades in death – an unfortunate occurrence for a man whose work was a rallying cry for the Zimbabwe independence movement.

Similarly, Michael Jackson was the king of pop. He too had universal appeal and he inspired and still inspires millions. He raised the bar in many areas including music videos and broke down barriers where others before him could not.

So, to compare their popularity in my opinion is to compare apples and oranges. You see, I don’t think it is a fair comparison because to do so is overshadow the efforts that both worked to achieve. And, while the world tends to laud the efforts of both men, we should not forget that both had their flaws.

Bob Marley was a womaniser and up until his death did not live in Jamaica. Michael Jackson, well, he was accused of being a paedophile (and note I said accused because he was NEVER convicted) and was thought to have bleached his skin.

Nevertheless, both men should not be compared for more reasons than one. Their popularity, lifestyles and works are different and both will have works outlasting their years.

gleanerblogs.com

[gifted chick]

hmmm.. both are arguably the most popular musicians in the world... but i wud say mj is more popular still.. u can watch one of his shows from korea to basically anywhere and see grown ass men crying .. and now that he is dead he's only gonna get even more popular (history has shown that dead artists are more valuable than when they were alive ) example: mr bob himself, elvis, when john lennon died(beatles)


PS. whats ur opinion mzk??

[Appletondon]

I like both but the answer is clearly MJ without a doubt u could go to Rhawanda and the flies on dem kids face know who MJ is

[PC.clapman]

the fact that they are more pple on earth since bob--id say MJ ---sales show it--tears showed it

[Sol-Jie]

i think MJ reached parts a the globe Bob didnt...so MJ

[Mr. Marcus ™]

Mike was obviously known and loved everywhere in the world ... even places that do not speak English.

They did a world wide study on the popularity of Michael and guess what ... Michael Jackson was more popular and better known that Jesus. Think about that.

[PC.clapman]

Michael Jackson is Jesus---

his Father was Joseph-- mother middle name Mary--michael performed a miracle in thriller-- ressurrection-- and turned into a panther--- he even went further than jesus--- he didn't walk on water-- he walked forward while moving backwards-- on air-- the moonwalk--- lol--
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[Mz K]

Lol where did you get that one?
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[Mz K]

Originally Posted by gifted chick

hmmm.. both are arguably the most popular musicians in the world... but i wud say mj is more popular still.. u can watch one of his shows from korea to basically anywhere and see grown ass men crying .. and now that he is dead he's only gonna get even more popular (history has shown that dead artists are more valuable than when they were alive ) example: mr bob himself, elvis, when john lennon died(beatles)


PS. whats ur opinion mzk??

I said more popular not known..

I would say they are equal in some level...

Mj was mostly popular (from what I see) europe and those kind of countries. Seems like canada and usa type of country were more into making fun of him then anything. Notice his tour was london? to this day I haven't seen that many ppl with shirts of him different with
bob. But like others have said bob opened diferent doors and targeted different audience and bob's reign was cut very short compare to mj. Nonetheless both are into our history :d
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[Mr. Marcus ™]

Right now i dont feel like looking for the website that has all the evidence that Michael Jackson is more popular and well known world wide than Jesus ... so, here is the next best thing from Google's search engines

Google returns for Michael Jackson returned almost 58 million results… Compared to nearly 32 million results for Barack Obama. Jesus Christ comes in third with almost 18 million results… Queen Elizabeth II and the Pope come in 4th and 5th respectively.

[gifted chick]

as of RIGHT now... a lil search i jus did on googel

michael jackson = 266 millio

bob marley = 23 million

[Mr. Marcus ™]

Greatest entertainer to grace this Earth with his presence.


... I will be watching 'The Wiz' tonight

[gifted chick]

ive never watch it throughout... ive seen bits and pieces (technically the whole thing) but not in one sitting


u ever watch moonwalker? .. i find it fun and random

[Peachie]

this should answer the question

YouTube - Michael Jackson - Brace Yourself

[liltsangie]

MJ has had more effect good and bad on people than Bob