Following Michael Jackson's sudden death on June 25, Kanye West claims he will become the next King of Pop, replacing the late singer. "You know everyone loves and respects Michael but times change. It's so sad to see Michael gone but it makes a path for a new King of Pop and I'm willing to take that on," so he told Scrape TV.
On what makes him deserve the title, Kanye said, "There's nobody who can match me in sales and in respect so it only makes sense for me to take over Michael's crown and become the new King." The rapper then added, "First there was Elvis [Presley], then there was Michael, now in the 21st century it's Kanye's time to rule. I have nothing but respect for Michael but someone needs to pick up where he left off and there's nobody better than me to do that. I am the new King of Pop."
Furthermore, Kanye reportedly has reached out to the Jackson family to obtain official permission to use the title but so far received no response from them. It is believed that the family is still mourning over Michael's death.
"King of Pop" was a honorific title popularized by Elizabeth Taylor when she presented Michael Jackson with Artist of the Decade prize around 1989. At that time, the British-American actress proclaimed Michael, who has sold million copies of records, as "the true king of pop, rock and soul."
