Today the world lost a legend. A music icon, an original, an artist, a star. Prince Rogers Nelson, known by his stage name Prince, passed away today at the age of 57. His death came as a shock as fans across the world began to reflect on their memories and favorite songs by Prince. The news channels began broadcasting non-stop coverage of his music, his interviews and reflections shared by various artists. As I sat and listened to some of the coverage today, one of the news reporters said something that took me back to my childhood. He said “there was a time when you had to choose. Are you Team Michael or Team Prince?”

I remember 6th grade in the cafeteria during lunchtime, the question was asked to a group of students sitting at the table.

Are you Team MJ or Team Prince?

This was serious business at the time because both were at the top of their careers touching the lives of millions, increasing their fan base and forever changing the face of popular music.

“Thriller” was a ground-breaking record, song, and video that solidified Michael Jackson’s solo career. While “Purple Rain”, an album, song and movie became synonymous with the artist known as Prince and adored by his fans for many decades to come.

There’s really no comparison in their individual styles of fashion, music and areas of expertise, but they both left a legacy for generations to experience and appreciate. Their crossover appeal was unlike any artist of their time. Blurring gender lines, color lines and music genre lines.

Prince created a look and sound all his own that can never be placed within a box of any particular genre of music. His sense of fashion set him apart from any other artist. He boldly took a stand against the music industry by taking full control of his music and brand, which was unheard of at the time. His freedom of expression through his lyrics, gave us the permission to discuss topics once considered taboo. He made us think, he made us sing, he made us dance, he made us feel good. The legend known as Prince was a trendsetter, trailblazer, and definitely ahead of his time.

Anyone who knows me already knows my answer to the MJ/Prince question, but they may not know why. My answer that day was of course Team MJ, but it wasn’t solely based on his music.

I was drawn to Michael Jackson the dancer before I loved Michael Jackson the singer. His passion for the art of dance inspired me to continue with dance classes at a time when I thought about quitting. I took ballet classes as a child and was often the only child of color in the classes. I often wondered if it was ok for me to dance since no one in the classes looked like me. I remember watching the Thriller and Beat It videos over and over again on MTV, capturing the videos on the VCR to spend hours learning the choreography and dancing in the living room pretending to be a dancer in the videos. Of course, I enjoy his music as well, but it was his dancing that I was initially drawn to. Michael taught me that it was ok to continue dancing even if no one in the class looked like me. And now I’m sharing that love of dance with my daughter. Thank you Michael. ❤️

We’ve lost many greats in recent years who left their mark on the music world. Whether you are Team MJ, Team Prince or somewhere in the middle, you can’t deny the legacy they both left on music and the world in general. Also, their generosity and philanthropic work far outweigh the success of their music careers. We were blessed to witness their time here on earth and we will be forever changed and influenced by the lyrics and melodies they left behind.

RIP Prince & RIP Michael. Thank you for sharing your gift and your genius with us. You wrote the songs that became the soundtrack to our lives. You were both mysterious, mystical and magical which thrilled us and made us love and adore you even more. There will never be another.

Michael Jackson Super Bowl halftime show 1993

Prince Super Bowl halftime show 2007

Are you Team Prince or Team MJ (or somewhere in between)?