Most artists stop making history when they stop making music. Michael Jackson just proved that this rule does not apply to him.
Seventeen years after his death, the King of Pop has added another achievement to a career that already seemed impossible to top.
THANKS TO A RECENT BILLBOARD HOT 100 DEBUT, MICHAEL HAS NOW BECOME THE FIRST ARTIST EVER TO DEBUT A NEW HOT 100 SONG IN EVERY DECADE FROM THE 1970S THROUGH THE 2020S.
Artists spend entire careers hoping to score one hit decade. Michael’s music has now reached the charts across six consecutive decades.
The song behind the latest milestone is “Chicago,” a track that originally appeared on the 2014 album Xscape. A surge of interest from fans introduced the song to a new generation and helped it reach the Hot 100 more than a decade after its release.
If you’ve never heard the track, you can listen here
What makes the record even more remarkable is that it happened long after Michael’s final performance. New artists arrive every year, musical trends constantly change, and streaming has transformed the industry. Yet his catalog continues finding new listeners.
Many fans believe the upcoming Michael biopic has also renewed interest in his music and encouraged younger audiences to explore songs beyond the biggest hits.
One of those timeless hits remains “Billie Jean,” which continues attracting millions of listeners around the world.
Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean
Records are made to be broken.
Some records, however, become harder to touch with every passing year.
Michael Jackson’s latest milestone feels like one of those records as his legacy and stardom continue beyond his absence.