Michael Jackson & Prince Beef May Stem from the Time They Shared a James Brown Stage
With Michaelcontinuing to drive moviegoers to theaters to watch the life story of the King of Pop, there's naturally been a renewed interest in both Michael Jackson's music and life. As of publication, his music catalog on streaming platforms is at an all-time high, and you can read a number of articles (some by me) about the nuances of his life that may not have been covered in-depth in the film. Zeroing in on this latter point, Michael may have briefly mentioned the name Prince, but it didn't really unpack their dynamic.
Since the ‘80s, the alleged rivalry between Jackson and Prince has been a legendary one in music history. Although it's one that was certainly fueled by the media, the duo from all accounts did see one another as competitors. However, this competition may have taken a bit of a rocky turn thanks to one night in 1983, when they took to the stage to perform with the one and only Godfather of Soul, James Brown.
Teddy Riley and will.i.am Claim Prince Had a Lackluster Performance
In the rarest of moments in 1983, at the Beverly Theater in Los Angeles, Brown was performing a concert, and he spotted Jackson in the crowd. The "Billy Jean" performer always admired Brown, and the "I Feel Good" singer was a fan of his "protégé." After Jackson wowed everyone there with a few dance moves and vocal samplings, Jackson whispered to Brown that Prince was also in attendance. Brown then called on the "Purple Rain" singer to hop on stage. However, things didn't go over that well.
According to super producer Teddy Riley, Prince got on stage and borrowed a guitar from one of the band members. But according to Riley, "Prince was playing, and he hit the note [guitar noises]. He wanted it to scream, and it didn't scream." Riley says Prince moved on to showing off his signature dance moves, but "everything he tried just didn't work." Then, when Prince attempted to get off the stage, he held onto a light post, not knowing it was a prop, and he and the post went down into the crowd. Making matters worse, Riley alleges Jackson was on the back of the stage "laughing."
Teddy Riley tells a wild story about Prince vs Michael Jackson ….#teddyriley#michaeljackson#prince#jamesbrown#hollywoodstoriespic.twitter.com/M948JAg36z
— RNB LIFE (@rnblifeofficial) May 8, 2026
Now, will.i.am of the chart-topping Black Eyed Peas adds some more layers onto this by claiming that Prince believed he was "sabotaged."
Prince's Manager Says Star Believed He Was "Set Up" by Michael
Per a video from The Detail, backing vocalist for Prince, Jill Jones, said of the evening, "We had no idea he [Prince] was going to be called up. He was just sitting there like ‘Oh God.'"
Prince's tour manager, Alan Leeds, claims, "He [Prince] was really pissed off because Michael set him up. So Prince gets up there, and he doesn't know what the hell to do, and he hated the fact that he was up there. Michael Jackson is just freaking worked the stage. You don't follow Michael Jackson."
Leeds goes on to point to the fact that Prince attempted to play the guitar, but the music Brown's band was playing didn't allow Prince to really flex his skill. So Prince was left to dance, again on a stage that the James Brown and the Michael Jackson had already performed on.
Lastly, Susan Rogers, Prince's sound engineer, has also gone on record to state that when Prince knocked over that light pole, he "embarrassed himself." Furthermore, she says, "Prince used to watch that videotape. Prince knew exactly what Michael was up to."
So, that's the story. It's worth pointing out that even after this moment, Jackson invited Prince to perform on "We Are the World," and the song "Bad," but Prince declined to do both. Also, there is no proof that Jackson intentionally tried to sabotage Prince that fateful night. And on a final note, regardless of any rumored feud, it's believed the two stars greatly respected one another's talents. Check out the full moment of the concert incident below.
Related: Meet Annie: Michael Jackson's Inspiration for His Hit Song "Smooth Criminal"
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 3:15 AM.