The King of Pop continues to rule decades after his passing — surpassing Beyoncé and Chris Brown in Spotify listeners while his estate cements him as the richest deceased musician of 2025.

A Digital Comeback Fit for a King

Even sixteen years after his death, Michael Jackson remains one of music’s most powerful forces. In a streaming era defined by short attention spans and algorithm-driven trends, the King of Pop’s music continues to dominate.
Recent Spotify data shows that Jackson’s monthly listener count has surged past modern icons Beyoncé and Chris Brown, reaffirming his timeless influence and unmatched global reach.

According to multiple music-data trackers, Jackson currently enjoys over 64 million monthly Spotify listeners — edging out Chris Brown (≈ 59 million) and Beyoncé (≈ 55 million). For a legacy artist whose last studio album was released nearly two decades ago, this is nothing short of extraordinary.

Songs like Billie Jean, Thriller, and Smooth Criminal remain streaming staples, while renewed media attention around Jackson’s life, documentaries, anniversaries, and social-media trends continue to introduce his music to new generations.

Why the Numbers Keep Climbing

LET’S help Michael Jackson make HIStory once again!

Make sure to get the word out. https://t.co/NWYjI2jZGy#MichaelJackson pic.twitter.com/LokRYedKe4

— Moonwalkers Stationhead (@Moonwalkers_SH) November 4, 2025

Several factors explain this streaming resurgence:

1. Timeless Catalog Power
   Jackson’s 1980s masterpieces Thriller, Bad, and Dangerous are still considered gold standards of pop production. Each generation discovers them anew — from nostalgic Gen X fans to Gen Z TikTok users dancing to Beat It and P.Y.T.

2. Algorithmic Advantage
   Jackson’s cross-genre appeal (pop, R&B, funk, rock) fits effortlessly into playlists across multiple moods and themes. This gives his catalog constant exposure across Spotify’s editorial and algorithmic channels.

3. Anniversary Momentum & Media Buzz
   With each milestone year — such as Thriller’s 40th anniversary — comes fresh marketing, remastered releases, and viral moments. His estate has also been strategic about collaborations, remixes, and sync licensing that keep his sound relevant.

4. Global Reach Beyond Borders
   From Latin America to Asia and Europe, Jackson remains a universal pop figure. His multilingual fanbase and global media legacy ensure constant rotation in international markets.

The Business of Immortality

Jackson’s legacy doesn’t end with the music charts. His estate remains a financial powerhouse, ranking him at the top of 2025’s list of wealthiest late musicians.

Analysts reported by The Richest website estimate his estate’s current valuation between $4 billion and $5 billion, thanks to shrewd catalog management, film rights, merchandise, and licensing deals. What was once a financially troubled empire at the time of his death in 2009 has become one of the most successful posthumous turnarounds in entertainment history.

Recent ventures, including biopic projects, immersive exhibitions, and brand partnerships, continue to boost estate revenue. The 2025 Forbes and Billboard posthumous wealth tallies list Jackson comfortably ahead of other late music icons such as Elvis Presley, Prince, and Whitney Houston.

Keep streaming and buying Michael Jackson’s thriller single guys!! Use Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, 7DIGITAL, YouTube etc..#MichaelJackson #ThrillerChallenge2025 https://t.co/WR7nitDr3a pic.twitter.com/gwu4H1AZXT

— PaulMJcool🎶🇬🇧❤️✨✨🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐ (@MJcoolMJFan) November 4, 2025

Legacy Artists in the Streaming Age

Michael Jackson’s Thriller album streams on Spotify last week:

27/10: 4,222,477
28/10: 4,315,671
29/10: 4,634,031
30/10: 5,519,492
31/10: 10,578,963 (Record)
01/11: 7,200,433
02/11: 4,698,612

Total weekly: 41,169,679 (Record) pic.twitter.com/ry74qrTvBs

— 𝕜𝕩 (@kxthrills) November 3, 2025

Jackson’s continued dominance provides a blueprint for how classic artists can thrive in the digital economy.

• Streaming democratizes discovery: Younger fans who never saw Jackson live now discover him through algorithmic recommendations and social media trends.

• Catalog ownership and estate strategy: Effective estate management turns nostalgia into long-term equity.

• Cultural immortality: Few artists bridge decades of fans — from vinyl collectors to TikTok creators — quite like Michael Jackson.

His influence also continues to shape today’s biggest acts, including The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, and Beyoncé herself — the very stars he’s now surpassing in listener numbers.

Fans Still Feel the Magic

For lifelong fans, these milestones are more than statistics. They represent the continued life of an artist who changed the world’s relationship with music, dance, and celebrity. For new fans, Jackson is a rediscovery — a performer whose energy feels surprisingly modern even in 2025.

As one Spotify user commented under Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough:

“It’s wild how this still sounds like it was recorded yesterday. He’s timeless.”

Conclusion: The King Still Rules

In 2025, Michael Jackson remains both a streaming giant and a financial phenomenon. His ability to surpass active global superstars on Spotify and top lists of the world’s richest late musicians proves that true artistry never dies.

The King of Pop’s crown, it seems, shines brighter than ever.

Decades later and the GOAT is still dominating 🐐
Michael Jackson is now 22 in the world on Spotify! pic.twitter.com/4ydEOuAdnF

— uranus (@uranuskyy) November 3, 2025