Michael Jackson's nephew calls Sam Smith 'ignorant, disrespectful and arrogant' over his King of Pop dis
The internet is not happy with Sam Smith.
While boating with Adam Lambert, the “Too Good at Goodbyes” singer, 26, was heard on video saying, “I don’t like Michael Jackson, but this is a good song” while the late pop great’s hit “Human Nature” played in the background. Lambert quickly deleted the video from his Instagram — but nothing really disappears on the internet, and now Smith is the World Wide Web’s punching bag.
Adam Lambert accidentally posts a video of Sam Smith saying:
‘I don’t like Michael Jackson, but this is a good song’ pic.twitter.com/Rhw1lnA5O0
— Music News Facts (@musicnewsfact) August 10, 2018
The reactions haven’t been kind, and they quickly made their way to the Jackson family. T.J. Jackson, a performer like his uncle and his dad, Tito Jackson, called Smith’s comment “ignorant, disrespectful and arrogant.” Speaking directly to Smith, he added that while “everyone has opinions,” Smith shouldn’t “disparage a soul pioneer when they helped paved the way for you and your music.”
Sam Smith made a career on singing R&B/soul music. So to look into a camera and disregard one of its pillars is ignorant, disrespectful and arrogant. Everyone has opinions but @samsmithworld don’t disparage a soul pioneer when they helped paved the way for you and your music. 🤫 pic.twitter.com/SzNQa2QAzr
— TJ Jackson (@tjjackson) August 13, 2018
He shared a follow-up message as well.
Anyone can like ANYONE they want. What bothers me is SS is a popular SOUL artist. So when he looks into ANY camera there is a good chance what is said will become public 1day. And for HIM to disrespect ANY classic soul Motown/Stax/etc artist publicly is arrogant. Period. #respect
— TJ Jackson (@tjjackson) August 13, 2018
The clapback getting the most attention, though, is from Grammy-winning singer and The Wiz actress Stephanie Mills, who had a brief relationship with Jackson. “@Samsmithworld Don’t come for MICHAEL JACKSON when you wish you have sold as many records and you wish you were the King of Pop like he was,” she wrote on Instagram. “I’m so tired of you people studying our music, and studying our artist and claiming that you don’t like our music. Go sit your 1 HIT WONDER ass down and learn how to finish a tour. When you can sell as many records as the king of Pop, Michael Jackson then maybe you can say something. So I say to you Mr. Smith have several seats and come for me if you want to.”
A post shared by Stephanie Mills (@iamstephaniemills) on Aug 12, 2018 at 10:52am PDT
The criticism leveled at Smith was widespread.
Well, that's OK if Sam Smith doesn't like Michael Jackson.
Because Sam Smith is a boring, mediocre, dull, middle of the road cringeworthy crooning sad sack.
I'm glad we don't share musical tastes ☺️ https://t.co/B2rRoRTdBR
— Casey Rain || S-Endz (@CaseyRain) August 12, 2018
Sam Smith is over. What self respecting musician says they don’t like Michael Jackson? Honey..
— bratty daddy (@Guido_Conz) August 10, 2018
First he stole an Oscar from the queen of pop and now this
— emi (@ifiwereuiddome) August 10, 2018
I've seen singers saying they do not like MJ's music style, but they also said, "But I have a lot of respect for his work and everything he's done for the music industry. MJ was a pioneer." Sam Smith was rude and disrespectful!
— DriMJ #Moonwalker #MJKing👑 (@DriBrasilMJ) August 13, 2018
So is it that Sam Smith doesn’t like Michael Jackson or he envies him. And doesn’t want to admit that he will never be as great as that late MJ
— Jazzy T (@JazzyTOnAir) August 14, 2018
I've seen singers saying they do not like MJ's music style, but they also said, "But I have a lot of respect for his work and everything he's done for the music industry. MJ was a pioneer." Sam Smith was rude and disrespectful!
— DriMJ #Moonwalker #MJKing👑 (@DriBrasilMJ) August 13, 2018
You're at worst, a pop artist. You are no where near a real, true bona fide R&B singer. You have the audacity to come for MJ. MJ still sells more music than you being dead. You better recognize real talent and respect the culture from which you steal, punk.
— Dawn Robinson (@DawnlizRobinson) August 13, 2018
Someone even called for BET to revoke Smith’s Best New Artist award from 2015.
.@BET revoke @samsmithworld award… he’s trippin …. 🤦🏾♂️
— The Old Man (@oldmanebro) August 14, 2018
Though he did get some support.
This is so dumb. Who cares if Sam Smith doesn't like MJ? I don't like Bon Jovi or Mellencamp. There, I said it. Is there a musical artist you dislike who you feel like everyone else loves? https://t.co/8SrYQctQ3c
— Sean Copeland (@TheSeanCopeland) August 14, 2018
Hold TF on , Michael forgave Eminem correct for that controversial video ,but SamSmith says "I don't like MJ but this is a good song" and yall say he's cancelled ,"I hate Sam Smith" and bring up false information of Sam thats not true ?? MJ impact did not want fans to spread hate
— chenoa williams (@ChenoaJanice) August 10, 2018
People acting like not liking Michael Jackson is a career ending thing need to get a grip. Jesus Christ.
People are allowed opinions and just because Sam Smith has different taste isn’t really newsworthy pic.twitter.com/I2ggdqFeaG
— Rose (@M_Rose876) August 10, 2018
Smith has opted not to poke the bear and has remained silent on the matter. (Yahoo Entertainment reached out to him through his rep.) He did post a vacation photo, though, and wrote about how he spent most of his trip listening to music and laughing.
A post shared by Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) on Aug 12, 2018 at 12:35pm PDT
Of course, the best way to silence critics if you are a musician is to put out good music — and Smith made a surprise announcement that he has some coming. Amid the drama, he dropped the news that a collaboration called “Promises” with Calvin Harris will be released Friday. “I’m so excited for you all to hear this song,” he wrote.
A post shared by Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) on Aug 13, 2018 at 2:13pm PDT
We bet — anything to change the current conversation.
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